Fabric or Canvas
Building with Fabric or Canvas, what are the different methods and the benefits?
Learn more about the different methods and styles of building with Fabric or Canvas. How are the methods and styles different and attributes what are the qualities and attributes of each method and style?
The Fabric/Canvas building method and styles described here are Yurt and Canvas Domes. Also learn a little about the pros and cons with each method and style.
Yurts originated with the nomadic tribes in Central Asia and was used widely with both the Mongolians and Turkish. They were built with wood and wool and was easy to set up and dismantle.
Today’s Yurts have come a long way and are made with canvas and/or synthetic fabric. They also often have windows and/or skylights which makes them more open and airier compared with the traditional Yurts.
Yurts have a circular lattice framework for walls connected to poles that form the roof finishing in a center ring at the top and center. A cable is connected to the poles and providing a tension and stability to the structure. The whole building is then covered with some form of fabric.
It is now possible to get custom options of Yurts from several companies in North America. They are an affordable housing option and can be put up in a few days once the platform/base is built. It is also possible to get hard-shelled Yurts which would be a more permanent option.
Pros
- They are a cheap investment
- They are easy to setup
- They are portable
Cons
- They are not meant for long term housing
- They are not very insulated
- They don’t deal well with severe weather
- They are limited in space
Canvas Domes are another great option that is relative cheap. They also need a platform/base built for them to be setup upon. Canvas Domes come in the form of geodesic domes or smooth domes. They are often made with a metal or wood frame onto which the canvas/fabric covers. Personal preference of windows/doors and skylight can be added to the dome. There are several companies in North America that sell the domes ready for setup.
Pros
- Fairly cheap to purchase
- They are easy to put together and setup
- They don’t require skilled labor to setup
- They are portable
Cons
- They are not meant for long term living
- They are not very insulated
- They don’t hold up to severe weather
- They are limited in space