Author Topic: First ice house build/refurbish (Read 3392 times)

Hardwater Problem · « **on:** Dec 19, 2016, 12:36 AM »

This is my house that I purchased after several months of searching. I wanted a structure that was essentially a blank canvas for finishing it my way. Weight wouldn't be a huge issue as the house lives in Northern Minnesota and I fish primarily late season. I had no idea what I was getting into. The shack is now finished so I will post the photos of the progress as close to in order as I can. It has been a journey.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:05 AM »

The interior and the floor had nearly 4 inches of spray foam and the electrical seemed in order. The first thing I did was have the wiring redone by an electrician buddy and added a few more outlets and put the lights on dimmer switches. The studs were some sort of metal so I had to screw furring strips to all the studs so I would have something to nail into when I finished the interior walls.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:10 AM »

I decided that I needed some storage, so I chipped out the foam and cut between the studs to add a bump-out area and put in a shed window for ventilation.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:12 AM »

I added some support for the bump-out and Smart Sided the front after removing the old vinyl siding.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:18 AM »

Here is where the project got a bit ugly... I was hoping to pull off the vinyl siding and throw the Smart siding right up, but the previous owner/owners screwed the windows directly to the OSB plywood and failed to use window tape or caulk, and the wood was rotted from top to bottom all around the windows. I had to cut out a large portion of the wall and replace huge panels before resetting the windows and properly flashing them.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:21 AM »

I had to do this... sadly... with both sides. You can see where the panel is reset and I probably over KILZ'd it but a coat of KILZ paint/sealant went on before the TYVEK style underlayment went up.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:23 AM »

Scored some house wrap from a couple of construction buddies and sealed it all up.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:26 AM »

Reset the windows and got the Smart siding hung on both sides. Caulked the edges of the windows just to be safe, still have to trim them out.

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Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:30 AM »

I had a small bar sink in my garage from a camper project that I never got around to and decided that it would be nice to have a place to dump empties into or have a place to wash hands and dishes in, so I added another bump-out to avoid using floorspace for it.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:33 AM »

I knew that I was going to pine panel the interior so I grabbed a few slabs and finished the interior of the sink area with the same siding I would later use on the interior. For the base, under and around the sink, I added some of the vinyl flooring ( fake wood).

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:36 AM »

I ordered a shed/playhouse window for the bump-out and got it all caulked up and sealed properly.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:38 AM »

At the same time as I added the sink bump-out window I trimmed the side windows, caulked them again and added LED tail/turn lights at the rear as seen in the previous post.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:41 AM »

Three and a half coats of Husker red paint and it's time to move on to the interior.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:43 AM »

Started the paneling process and got a bit of help from my youngest boy Noah.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:46 AM »

I added some LED hole lights above all the holes and installed an outlet in the cutout where the old stovepipe came through the wall so I could have a tv on the wall with no cords showing.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:50 AM »

Constructed a heat channel for the ceiling with a large computer fan that will collect the heat near the top of the shack and blow it down to the floor through PVC guttering. I ran LED rope lights down either side that were blue to match the blue hole lights.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 01:55 AM »

Here's a shot of the interior after I paneled the roof and installed the heat channel. The sides of the channel come down about 4 inches from the finished ceiling and have holes that run three inches apart on both sides from front to back. The heat goes in and gets sucked by the fan and shot down through the pipe in the back.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:01 AM »

I added 110 v. lights to the side wall, 12v. LED lights to the underside of the heat channel, speakers and a small cooking area on the back left side. The wall of the cooking area will house the car stereo , a CB radio for house to house communication and weather band, and a clock. I will have the LED lights, CB, and Radio as well as the hole lights on 12 volt power on the days when I wont be running a generator. With a generator, I will have all of those plus a microwave, toaster oven, and interior 110 lighting.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:04 AM »

There is a cookstove, not the one pictured, a toaster oven above and a microwave below. I didnt have a good picture but wanted to show the cook area.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:07 AM »

Installed the radio and CB, Added a ton of painted trim to all of the edges and corners, hung my TV and Clock and finished the cook area.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:10 AM »

Used the hollow wall space next to the cooktop to install a built in spice rack/storage shelving unit.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:14 AM »

Before I moved to the floor, I added a battery box for my 12v power and will be covered by a table that folds up. The floor had several soft spots and raised seams that needed addressed before the flooring could be laid.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:18 AM »

The flooring is fake wood vinyl floor made for kitchens and laundry rooms. I think it will hold out ok, we will see. I got a smoking deal on it so it was worth the risk. The hole covers were reinstalled and the floor was literally a snap to put together.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:22 AM »

Nearly a finished product, at the time of this photo I had to finish the final trim and put the table on hinges over the battery/storage area. I had one more length of PVC pipe on the back wall that goes nearly to the floor for the heat channel. I don't have a final interior photo but you get the idea.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:26 AM »

Added exterior trim on the corners and painted and sealed the roof. Installed my propane tank and hooked it up to the cooktop and an outlet for my buddy heater. Ready for it's journey to Minnesota.

Hardwater Problem · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 02:28 AM »

Looks like I got it north just in time!!!

NHGunowner · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 07:45 AM »

Awesome build, well done!

AndyJ · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 08:35 AM »

The heat channel looks like a stroke of brilliance.

Please report on how it works on the ice.
I can see one on mine blowing hot air over the folding filleting table on the outside wall.

P Meyette · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 08:38 AM »

nice job should get some enjoyable years out of it

JTank · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 10:14 AM »

Looks good!

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Author Topic: First ice house build/refurbish (Read 3392 times)