BackYardBedrooms™

Shelter Systems’ BackYardBedroom Domes and Yurts have been used as family living spaces for more than 40 years. They are portable, affordable, and comfortable for year-round living. They are fully adaptable for comfortable living.

“Hi Shelter Systems, We have a 18′ yurt dome — (Bev Feldman, La Canada, CA) — we’ve turned it into a outdoor sleeping room on these hot Southern California summer nights. We’ve decorated it quite wonderfully (if I say so myself — “The Mists of Avalon” meets “Cirque du soleil”.) “

World’s Strongest Dome Tent Since 1976
Shelter Systems’ Geotensic Domes are known for their lightweight construction, large amount of light transmitted in, strength, and portability. They are made of a strong, tear resistant fabric and non-puncturing tarp fasteners, and are guaranteed leak proof.

Easy set up

The 14′, 18′ and 20′ BackYardBedroom Domes and Yurts can be set up by most people in less than 30 minuteswithout tools. Insert the interchangeable poles into factory-attached connectors spaced evenly over the cover. The poles bend slightly when inserted, tightening the cover into a wind- and waterproof shelter. The cover is freestanding, requiring no guy lines and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. The BackYardBedroom Domes and Yurts can be taken down in 5 minutes: just remove the poles and roll up the covering. See a YouTube video of the 10′ Dome being set up in less than 10 minutes: set up here, and take down here. Shown below is set up of the 30′ dome:

Sturdy design

Shelter Systems’ BackYardBedroom Domes and Yurts are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Because of its curved shape with no corners, there are no weak points. Our patented structure is drum tight, waterproof and wind-resistant. Shelter Systems’ Domes have the poles on the outside with the covering suspended under the frame via Shelter Systems’ own Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners, such that the frame and the covering are not in direct contact.Because the covering is under constant and even tension, the tent will not flap or shred in high wind, poles cannot rub against the covering, which would eventually wear holes in it, and water and leaf debris cannot get caught in dips between poles. The shingled panels of our Domes overlap each other by 6″, making the structure very strongand completelyleak proof (we have a leak-proof guaranteefor all of our domes). The shingling design allows the structure to breathe for excellent air circulation and so moisture is driven out by vapor pressure, preventing condensation. Shelter Systems’ patented Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners are used to join the dome’s cover to the pole frame and to fasten the shingled panels together. Grip Clips remove the need for sewn seams or grommets that puncture the cover, which would allow rain to enter.

Durable materials

Shelter Systems’ Bedroom Domes and Yurts have a covering made wholly of a superstrong, tear-proof, white multilaminate woven ripstop film which will not rot or mildew. It is UV stabilized to withstand up to 3 years full sun exposure and treated with fire retardant. The fabric is a super strong, high tensile strength, rip-stop, completely waterproof, mildew resistant, and cannot be torn by hand even after it is cut. The white color of the covering reflects the heat of the sun and provides 40% shade. This US made, proprietary material is the finest material we could find to make our tents from.

The Poles are of high quality US made PVC that is admirable for its strength, resiliency, long life, natural UV stability for a long sun life, and its strength to weight and cost ratio. Thepoles we use are Class200 PVC tubing.

Shelter Systems’ Patented Grip Clips that we use to join the domes cover to its poles are molded of a UV stabilized resin blended specifically for it high strength and durability.

Light filled, well ventilated, comfortable and inviting

Shelter Systems’ Bedroom Dome shelters are light filled and well ventilated. The translucent covering creates a bright interior, transmitting 60% of the light. Most of our Domes come with translucent windows above the doors, which allow more light through than glass, but create privacy as you cannot see clearly through them. These windows can be special ordered with clear vinyl windows that are completely see-through (see our Accessoriespage).

Shelter Systems’ Bedroom Shelters have several features that contribute to good ventilation and breathability. They have evenly spaced flap style doors, for good cross-ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can enter and exit quickly and don’t have to fumble with zippers. Because the panels of our domes are shingled, overhead ventilation is can easily be attained by inserting “ventilation tubes” between several panels (two vent tubes are included with each Dome). When the vent tube is removed, the panels snap shut and are watertight. For maximum ventilation, the walls themselves can be rolled up, transforming the domes into an opened-arch form.

Shelter Systems’ BackYardBedrooms are winter ready.

They do not require a fly or liner and are completely watertight and will not leak. They resist condensation build up because the shingled construction drives out moist air by vapor pressure. The dome shape has minimal surface area for volume so it is easy to keep warm with a wood stove (installation instructions are included with each tent). If you plan on using your Dome in snow or windy conditions, read our important Snow and Wind Warnings. The Dome shape has other comfort features. The interior can be divided into “rooms”. The dome has more volume than a flat-sided tent meaning it feels, and is, more spacious. The shape is more heat efficient, using less fuel to heat it, and the heat circulates more easily, increasing comfort in cold weather.

Affordable

Shelter Systems BackYardBedroom Domes and Yurts are reliable and affordable shelters. Our waterproof design does not require a rain fly and the particular geometric shape utilizes material efficiently. The high performance covering is affordable and the design and tarp fasteners used mean our tents are labor efficient to build.

Shelter Systems’ Glamping Domes come complete with poles, 12″ long high-quality Durapeg stakes, guy lines for use in strong winds, ventilation tubes, spare parts (Grips Clips and pole connectors) and a complete Shelter Systems’ Instruction Manual. Our manual gives details about floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, and stove installation. Shelter Systems offers Accessories to enhance functionality and versatility of your Dome, including sunshades, floors, porches, mosquito net doors, and more.

Shipping and storage

All Shelter Systems’ Domes are shipped by UPS and pack up into compact packages that one person can handle, take as baggage on a plane, transport in a car or store in a small space.

Sizes

You get a lot more volume for your money as you go up in diameter. When you step inside the 18′ yurt after being in the 14′, the 18′ feels twice as big. The 20′ feels twice the size of the 18′. This is because the extra feet in diameter extends out in all directions (including up) creating a large increase in volume. Since the surface area of the covering does not increase as rapidly as the volume, the larger domes are less expensive for the space you get. Our drawings effectively illustrate the different sizes we offer.