Bender's Bjurts - Documentation - Covering

The last step was assembly.

So, you've got the frame built. Now it's time to cover it. Keep in mind, I'm more of a mechanical guy, but I've come up with a few things and I've picked up a some tips and tricks.

The roof is the trickiest part. Luckily, the octagonal shape means a square tarp of the correct size can attach to the horizontal braces of half the walls (along the edges of the tarp). The corners of the tarp correspond to the other walls, and these can be bungeed down to the crosses. I have calculated this size at 20', but I haven't yet been able to test this. I have located a tarp that is 19'0" x 19'6" and cut and taped an octagonal hole in the center. I have also ordered a 21' x 21' Aluminet/shade cloth tarp from Undercover Solutions. I will test these and report on the results.

A 24' cargo chute has been demonstrated to fit the 17' bjurt well (available from Colemans' Surplus) (this link may be more direct if it works). Unfortunately, parachutes let too much light through but don't ventilate at all. This is less of a problem with a bjurt, since the roof is high. If enough wall space is open, the heat bubble is vented above everyone's head. Still, a more opaque roof is generally better.

I have experimented with a custom-made fitted roof, but at this time it is a relatively expensive solution. I will eventually post the plans so you can make your own. Mail me if you are interested in this solution and I will send you the information directly.

Once the roof is fitted, it can be left attached and folded up with the bjurt. This allows for rapid deployment and stowage.

The walls cannot be left attached but are simpler. Since the wall panels are square, and of standard dimensions (7', 5'), well-fitting commercially available tarps are easy to find. Even if you use ill-fitting tarps, the diagonal cross poles allow a variety of attachment points.

One floor solution that maximizes ventilation is to have a square tarp floor attached to the inside of the bjurt frame. Like the roof, the corners of the tarp can attach to the cross poles of every other wall. With the floor attached to the inside of the frame and the walls attached to the outside of the frame, air can come up along the insides of the walls and vent through the roof hole. This should allow you to have an indoor fire, but do so at your own risk.

Finally, you may want to cover the roof hole, to keep the sun or rain out. One solution is to put an umbrella through the hole and open it. If you attach a rope to the handle, you can push it through or pull it back as needed. Another solution is to take 8 three-foot pieces of conduit and tie them together in a pyramid. The square base of the pyramid rests well upon the octagonal ring, and ropes on the lower corners can be used to secure it to the structure.

I understand this is a lot of dry text and hard to follow. I will add some pictures to this page to help clarify.