Do Yurts Have Bathrooms? A Complete Guide to Yurt Plumbing

We are going to start with a simple definition of a yurt. A yurt is a portable circular dwelling made up of a lattice of flexible poles covered with either felt or any other type of fabric. Yurts have traditionally been the primary style of home in Central Asia, particularly Mongolia, for centuries. In today’s modern world, they have gained popularity amongst many people in various parts of the world due to their usability as primary dwellings, vacation homes, or rental properties.

A yurt dwelling idea as a way of life offers a simpler and more peaceful life near nature. Although the building’s basic circular tent-like design allows for open-plan living, the interiors have developed to incorporate distinct rooms, interior walls, and even kitchens and bathrooms. Is it safe to do this, and is it really possible? Yes, according to every expert!

Do Yurts Have Bathrooms?

Yes, they do! You can buy a yurt kit or build a yurt on your own. After its construction, a bathroom is one of the amenities you can add to certain kits. Previously, the restrooms were independent facilities outside the yurt. Today, contemporary interior yurt bathrooms are in high demand due to the evolution of architecture and interior design.

With the addition of contemporary plumbing and internal walls, yurts can include bathrooms that are just as functional as those found in conventional homes. It is feasible to install a separate bathroom inside your yurt if the dimensions permit it. If your space is too tiny or adding a bathroom inside is not practical, you can also build the bathroom as an independent structure outside the yurt. It doesn’t hurt, anyway!

What Does a Bathroom in a Yurt Look Like?

Once more, yurt toilets will not match up to those in residential buildings. Although yurts do feature them, their main purpose is to be utilitarian rather than ostentatious or spacious. Naturally, this does not mean you cannot design your yurt toilet with luxury and space in mind, but you would have to make some sacrifices by the end of the day. For instance, a large bathtub is probably not practical in a yurt bathroom because yurts need to be highly portable in case you need to move them.

Having enough room to use a toilet comfortably is necessary, but if you do not need the expensive, space-consuming items, you should probably give them up. In addition, yurt bathrooms are far less furnished than residential bathrooms. Instead of installing complex lighting, it is preferable to only have a small window for air and light in the bathroom. Artificial light illumination during the day is unnecessary, and after all, you wouldn’t spend all of your time in the bathroom after dark, either.

How Do I Install a Bathroom in a Yurt?

First, you should know the yurt building codes before starting a project. Yurts can fall into many different building classifications, such as provisional, semi-permanent, or permanent, depending on their location. I know you are wondering about the practicality of this new idea. But we will take you through the steps of installing that dream yurt bathroom you have in mind. The steps are as follows.

Step 1: Framing and Connecting

A yurt’s open layout and circular architecture are two of its most cherished characteristics, yet they can also prove to be problematic in terms of privacy. To solve this, a lot of yurt owners opt to frame out an inner bathroom. After the yurt’s installation, this typically gets finished by a contractor or carpenter like that of a regular site-built building.

In certain situations, enclosed ceilings are constructed as a floor for a loft area above, and they are strongly advised to minimize noise and simplify ventilation operations. If you have several yurts, you might dedicate one yurt for bathroom purposes. Several methods are available for connecting them, such as the use of hallways, breezeways, or direct connections.

Step 2: Plumbing

You can connect the plumbing pipes of the yurt to an existing septic tank or sewer and then run it up through your property’s ground. The plumbing pipes can fit inside the partition walls after emerging from the earth. If you have access to a septic or drainage system, you can use standard plumbing fixtures. Alternatively, in remote areas, as a yurt owner, you can use composite toilets or greywater systems.

Step 3: Electricity

A modern yurt requires an electricity connection. A bathroom in a yurt will have electrical appliances installed in it, such as hot water shower systems. If your location has access to an electricity hookup, you are all set. If you are off the grid, alternative power sources such as solar and wind power are available. Get a licensed electrician to do the electrical installations in your yurt for safety.

Typically, an electrician will install electrical channels through the floor of the yurt with power outlets installed or mounted on short support poles around the perimeter or on the interior walls. A modern yurt bathroom can have wall sconces, track lighting, and ceiling lights. Due to less energy consumption, low-voltage lighting is preferable, and many individuals install it in their yurts. When setting up any yurt infrastructure, lights, or heating options, always follow the manufacturer’s and construction’s guidelines.

Step 4: Ventilation

When installing a yurt bathroom, ventilation is a crucial factor to take into account. Adequate ventilation lowers condensation and interior moisture levels in the yurt bathroom. Flashing can pass downdraft vents through the yurt’s wall or floor to facilitate bathroom ventilation.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom in a Yurt?

So, what is the price of installing a bathroom in a yurt? Well, the total setup will set you back somewhere around $2,000 to $10,000. It all depends on how you want your yurt bathroom to feel and look, which will determine the final cost.

For instance, you will spend about $2,000 building a basic bathroom with just a standing shower and up to $5,000 for a fancy bathroom with a vintage bathtub, lights, and other ostentatious bathroom fixtures.

Take Home

• Yurts do not come with preinstalled bathrooms; they are prefabricated later at an extra cost.
• There are several power alternatives to electricity, such as wind, solar, and micro-hydro systems.
• Various alternatives to toilets that don’t require plumbing fixtures, such as composite toilets and greywater systems, exist.
• A yurt bathroom is installable if you have enough room, but if you have an extra yurt, why not turn it into a complete bathroom?
• The price of a yurt bathroom installation can range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the amenities.