Custom Built Fish House

[nxtgeneration]

Anyone build their own house? I'm in the early planning stages yet. Just looking for ideas, tips, tricks, pictures, ect. Still debating a few major factors, buy frame only, or go with a shell and just finish the interior and size (6.5 x 14 w/ V or 8 x 16 w/ V). Would appreciate any and all info you guys have.

Also as far as frames/shells go anyone have any good suggestions? As far as I've seen it looks like Miltona Blacksmith near Alexandra is the go to for a frame.

 

[Vollmer]

My uncle just built one. Nicest fish house ive ever seen. I'll have to get some pics. He built the entire thing from the ground up.

I've been trying to talk him into doing it as a business. Custom Ice Houses. He is one of those guys that does everything really well.

 

[DirtyMike]

We built one three years ago. Frame came from miltona blacksmith in Minnesota. We built out with 2x4's and sheeted it in corrugated steel siding. Still holding up strong but there are things id change. First of all, spray foam it. Don't consider other options. Just work it into the budget. I have some pictures I can post later.

 

[Vollmer]

I'll 2nd that. Spray foam is the ticked. Great insulation plus it adds rigidity to the structure.

 

[nxtgeneration]

Will be spray foaming for sure. Already in the budget. Steel vs Alum siding is still up in the air as well.

 

[Vollmer]

Steel vs aluminum comes down to budget imo. Both will do the job, but i think aluminum looks better, and the weight factor is nice.

 

[fishin_4_eyes]

I built one last year. I bought a Miltona frame. I used 2x3 for studs,spray foamed including bottom, forced air furnace, camper oven/ stove, all LED lights inside and out, 12v and 120 circuit panel, I used aluminum sheeting, and a one piece rubber roof. I really enjoyed the build. I figured that I saved at least 9000 in building it myself. I only put six holes in it, because I wanted all the holes to be useable. I never thought that holes under that table etc where useable. They were more for look it has 8 holes, but some are not useable. I built it so I could spend the night more, and I ended up spending the night almost every weekend. My oldest's is now addicted to ice fishing.

 

[Vollmer]

^ well done

 

[nxtgeneration]

Great looking house. Couple questions for you.

What size frame did you get?
Where did you get the alum siding?
What type of flooring is that and how does it handle the slush/ice?

 

[DirtyMike]

Very nice house fishin4eyes! I like the pine and I'm guessing that's linoleum? Would make for easy clean up. We are in the process of detailing what we like and don't like about the house we built. I pushed hard for spray foam but was over ruled.



Here's ours. I spend as many nights in it as I can.

 

[SDMF]

I built one last year. I bought a Miltona frame. I used 2x3 for studs,spray foamed including bottom, forced air furnace, camper oven/ stove, all LED lights inside and out, 12v and 120 circuit panel, I used aluminum sheeting, and a one piece rubber roof. I really enjoyed the build. I figured that I saved at least 9000 in building it myself. I only put six holes in it, because I wanted all the holes to be useable. I never thought that holes under that table etc where useable. They were more for look it has 8 holes, but some are not useable. I built it so I could spend the night more, and I ended up spending the night almost every weekend. My oldest's is now addicted to ice fishing.

I really like how you added on a garage out the front door of the ice house, that's good thinking right there.

 

[nxtgeneration]

Very nice house fishin4eyes! I like the pine and I'm guessing that's linoleum? Would make for easy clean up. We are in the process of detailing what we like and don't like about the house we built. I pushed hard for spray foam but was over ruled.



Here's ours. I spend as many nights in it as I can.

DirtyMike, Looks like you have a solar panel too? Does it seem to help much? Ive read a little about them and I've gotten mixed reviews.

 

[DirtyMike]

Well we no longer have to take batteries home to charge them. My father in law runs the generator most of the time but I like to go into stealth mode as soon as the sun starts to set. As far as hooking it up, I'm not the one to ask. Father in law is an electrician.

 

[fishin_4_eyes]

Great looking house. Couple questions for you.

What size frame did you get?
Where did you get the alum siding?
What type of flooring is that and how does it handle the slush/ice?

The frame is a 14' from Miltona. Its a 14' X 7' with a 3.5' V front of the actual frame. End of fender to end of fender is 9' wide. I got it lic and was told that as long as it is under 10" the state of ND really don't care to much. The V front actually give it a lot of room. Its where the door and bathroom are located. I got the Alum siding from a metal place in Minot. The have different colors, but white was the biggest and cheapest they had. 5X10 sheets I think. The metal place is Gerdau. They also cut the metal and broke it from my measurements. The floor is treated 3/4" plywood that is scary foam on the bottom side. It seems to handle the slush alright on time will tell with that one.

- - - Updated - - -

I built one last year. I bought a Miltona frame. I used 2x3 for studs,spray foamed including bottom, forced air furnace, camper oven/ stove, all LED lights inside and out, 12v and 120 circuit panel, I used aluminum sheeting, and a one piece rubber roof. I really enjoyed the build. I figured that I saved at least 9000 in building it myself. I only put six holes in it, because I wanted all the holes to be useable. I never thought that holes under that table etc where useable. They were more for look it has 8 holes, but some are not useable. I built it so I could spend the night more, and I ended up spending the night almost every weekend. My oldest's is now addicted to ice fishing.

I really like how you added on a garage out the front door of the ice house, that's good thinking right there.

I was lucky enough to have my father in-laws garage to build it. It made it nice when it was cold outside. Turned on the diesel heater and started working. One thing that I made sure to do is measure the garage door 12 times and measure the fish house lifted up. I had two inches to spare. Its one of the times that the dang tape measure didn't lie to me..