Ice House Build

Hey all you experts out there! I’m going to build a permanent ice house this year to throw out on a west metro lake somewhere. I was thinking I wanted to build it decently big (thinking 8-12) because it would probably be half fish house/half beer house.

I was toying with the idea of having walls that can be taken apart when moving/storing and then put together once on the ice.

What do you guys think about this idea and do any of you have some advice when it comes to building a permanent?

Thanks!

A friend of mine used to have one that we would fish in sometimes. We were never with him when he set it up or took it down, but he never mentioned any problems with it. I guess it’s all in how you design it.

His design was to have the wall sections connected to each other with hooks and eyes. I don’t remember what he did for the roof/floor.

Ahh, interesting idea using hooks and eyes. I was thinking of having 4X4 posts in each corner and then bolting the walls to that using some long bolts or something like that. Haven’t really decided on how I should go about the roof(obviously needs to be slanted)…

Ready to start building though!

Find a used walkin cooler or freezer. The walls lock together by an Allen wrench. The only thing you’ll have to.come up with is a roof and floor

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Find a used walkin cooler or freezer. The walls lock together by an Allen wrench. The only thing you’ll have to.come up with is a roof and floor

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Wouldn’t that would be really cold.

Try large door hinges on the exterior corners. pull the pins to take apart.

Or lag screw the wall sections together using a battery drill would be fast and cheap too as you mentioned.

A cooler or freezer isn’t cold because of the walls. The walls act as an insulator against heat conduction. It’s the AC/Freezer unit that cools the air inside the cooler.

I also like the idea of large hinges that could just be pulled.(might be a way to get it to fold up too…)

I used to have a 10×10 and I could put it together myself. 2x2s for everything and 1/8 or 1/4 sides. Bolts coming up through the floor to put the sides on. Made the sides overlap put bolts through the sides and nuts on. The roof over hung the sides and rested in place and bolted to the sides the same.

now you have me thinking of building one.

That’s exactly what I was thinking about doing more or less! I don’t suppose you would happen to have any pictures of that beast?

Also did you find that it was plenty strong(in the wind/weather) with 2X2 instead of 2X4?

Works well, used hinges on the inside corners.

WOW, you better get going.

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Find a used walkin cooler or freezer. The walls lock together by an Allen wrench.

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Wouldn’t that would be really cold.

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A cooler or freezer isn’t cold because of the walls. The walls act as an insulator against heat conduction. It’s the AC/Freezer unit that cools the air inside the cooler.

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Why would you need an AC if you’re already going to be out in the cold? I’d think you would want a heater instead. Then again, you’re going to need a super duper heater if you’re trying to be heating up a walk-in freezer.

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Find a used walkin cooler or freezer. The walls lock together by an Allen wrench.

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Wouldn’t that would be really cold.

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A cooler or freezer isn’t cold because of the walls. The walls act as an insulator against heat conduction. It’s the AC/Freezer unit that cools the air inside the cooler.

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Why would you need an AC if you’re already going to be out in the cold? I’d think you would want a heater instead. Then again, you’re going to need a super duper heater if you’re trying to be heating up a walk-in freezer.

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Hahaha, I see you were just messing with me….I suppose that’s what comes from dealing with idiots all day. You just assume that people don’t know anything.

You’re new, so you get a pass. There are a few posters here whose posts are primarily light-hearted and joking or sarcastic in nature. You’ll figure out which ones they are in time.

*cough*Pug*cough*

Yes, plenty strong. Remember in the corners you’ll have 2×2’s on each wall. Making 2×4 corners.

I build my permanent ice houses that are 8×10 using 2×12 treated runners with a semi full floor using 2×2’s for framing and insulating it with 2 inch foam insulation then wrapping the outside with aluminum sheeting including the roof. Before attaching the aluminum to the roof I cover the entire roof with ice and water shield to keep it totally water proof. By using aluminum on the outside and framing with 2×2″s it really saves on the weight with out sacrifising strength. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Paul Delaney
http://www.lateeyessportfishing.com

Where’d you get the Aluminum?

The Aluminum comes in 2’x50′ rolls and I purchased it at Menards but you could find it at Fleet Farm or any home building store.

Paul delaney

Awesome,

I just want to say thanks for all the help and advice! I’m going to cost out my plans this week and hopefully start building this weekend. I’ll make sure to take pics and let you know if I have any brilliant ideas to share with the group.