Tiny Nomads On the Go: A Modern Yurt Alternative (Teal Panels)

Reset A− A+ Could this be the yurt alternative that we have been looking for? Were we even looking for a yurt alternative? Do you want to build a tiny house with just a screw driver? If you’ve ever wanted a plastic yurt this might be the answer for you.

Teal Panels from Teal International Corporation may not be the prettiest things to look at but they are simple and easy to construct. But what about the cost? Each panel costs around $200 so it really depends on how large you want your structure. For those of us looking to go tiny, it could be completely cost effective.

To explore more amazing small homes like this, join our Small House Newsletter. It’s free and you’ll be glad you did!

Okay, so it might not be the best solution for a permanent tiny structure but imagine a mobile village. In fact, they have versions that will fit on landscaping trailers as do it yourself campers. I do quite a bit of festival camping so I could imagine myself getting one as an alternative to a traditional tent. Pack all of my gear in my Honda Element, hook up the trailer with the disassembled plastic shack strapped down to it and roll up to my campsite. I’d pull out my trusty screwdriver and build my own camper in about an hour. Add an air mattress, tons of pillows and fluffy blanket and it becomes glamping at its very best.

Okay, I know this is Tiny House Talk and not Glamor Camping Talk, but I do think these panels are pretty cool, even if they are a little ugly, and have some uses both for camping and tiny house living. What about a storable guest house or studio? When space is at a premium in your own home guests might be more comfortable in a separate place. At our tiny house we encourage tent camping when friends visit, but not everyone wants to do that either. Since we built a 12X12 deck behind our tiny house (which is bigger than the house, by the way) we could easily set up a teal panel building for visitors.

Our Tiny House Backyard Deck

For anyone who has thought of a yurt but the concept is impractical, the teal panels might be a great alternative. For someone interested in temporary tiny structures, this one is for you.

Teal Panels for a Backyard Tiny House Guest House?

What would you use these teal panels for? Backyard office, art studio, guest bedroom, storage? Please share in the comments! Thanks!

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Laura LaVoie

Contributor and Tiny House Owner at 120SquareFeet.com

Laura M. LaVoie is a professional writer living in the mountains of North Carolina in a 120 Square Foot house with her partner and their hairless cat, Piglet. Laura graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Anthropology. She has been published in magazines and anthologies on the subjects of mythology and culture. She spent nearly 15 years in the temporary staffing industry before deciding to become a full time writer. Laura works closely with the Zulu Orphan Alliance volunteering her time and the skills she's learned building her own small house to build a shelter for orphans and other vulnerable children living near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Laura also enjoys simple living, brewing and drinking craft beer, and popular culture.

Latest posts by Laura LaVoie (see all)

• Top 5 Things to do on a Rainy Day in Your Tiny House - October 20, 2013
• Top 5 Reasons I Love My Tiny House in the Fall - September 24, 2013
• 3 Tips You Should Know Before Building From a Tiny House Builder - September 18, 2013