How to Make an Ice House

If you have the need to store large amounts of ice, building an ice house is a project for you. Popular many years ago, now most freezers now come equipped with ice makers to produce a sufficient amount of ice for a family, but are not designed to handle large orders. You can also use ice houses to store ice for events such as county fairs or carnivals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Concrete
• 2-by-4 inch studs
• Tongue-and-groove siding
• Roof shingles
• Measuring tape
• Sawdust, hay, wood shavings or wool
• Fiberglass insulation
• Door latches

1. Determine how large your ice house must be. This takes into account the size of your family, how much ice you consume and how much room you have to devote to an ice house.
2. Locate a shady spot close to your house. If a shady spot is not available, consider constructing a trellis over the ice house and covering it with ivy or vines to create shade.
3. Set 6- to 12-inch concrete footings below the frost line of the ground. Then construct the floor of the ice house using wood planks or concrete. Slant the floor in one direction toward a drain.
4. Frame the outside walls with 2-by-4 inch studs and cover with tongue-and-groove siding. Be sure to frame out a door and ventilate the ice house under the eaves. Make a shingled roof as you would on a shed, slanted to the north.
5. Build an inside structure 10 to 20 inches in from each outside wall made from 2-by-4 inch studs. Make it big enough for a man to walk in without stooping. Frame out a door the same as and directly across from the outer door frame. Enclose the inner structure with a ceiling. Fill the space between the inside and outside walls with sawdust, hay, wood shavings or wool and 2 feet of insulation between the inner and outer roof.
6. Make the door as thick as the space between the inner and outer walls, 10 to 20 inches, and insulate it. Install both an inside and outside latch.
7. Lay down a foot or two of sawdust on the floor. If desired, add a shelf or two to store food.

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