Few things are more refreshing on a cold winter day than stepping out of the lodge for a sleigh ride to the top of the mountain. The air is clear and crisp, the sun is beaming, the snow is sparkling – everything is perfect.
What if I told you there was a way to keep that outdoor experience inside your lodge and enjoy the snow, even if you don’t have a ski resort nearby?
You could build a hot box!
What Is A Hot Box?
A hot box is a playpen for adults (and some kids, too) that brings the outdoors in. It’s usually made of wood (pine trees are a popular choice) with metal rails that form a frame around it. Basically, it’s a roof that you can sit on to watch TV or play board games.
Some hot boxes come with a built-in fireplace so you can enjoy the coziness of a roaring fire while playing Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit with friends and family. Others are perfect for camping out and watching movies – the list of potential uses for a hot box is endless!
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How To Make A Ski Hot Box?
To make a ski hot box, all you need is some time off work, a few tools, and a few pieces of wood. It’s a fun weekend project that you can do with your family and friends. Who knows – maybe you’ll even make some new neighbors jealous!
Since the structure is pretty much self-explanatory, I’ll just cover the steps to take before starting work on the project.
Get The Right Tools
You’ll need a few tools to make the project, so before you start anything, make sure you have the right ones. You might also need a few other tools to finish the job. Hacksaw, hammer, nail puller, power drill, hand saw, etc. are all necessary for the project. You can get these items from your local home center or hardware store.
Clear The Area You’ll Work On
Make sure you have cleared the area where you’ll work on the project. You don’t want to waste any time once you start drilling or nailing because you’ll run out of space. Also, be sure that you’ve removed all the obstacles that might trip you up or damage the structure while you’re working. This includes rocks, metal poles, etc.
Roughly Plan Out The Structure
Before starting work, it’s a good idea to roughly plan out the structure so you have an idea of how the final product should look like. This will help you be confident that you’re staying within the boundaries of the blueprint you’ve drawn up. You can also mark the different parts of the structure with paint or chalk so you can easily identify them once the project is done. This is also a good idea (especially with children) so they know what they’re supposed to be doing. It can be helpful to draw a picture of what you think the finished product should look like.
Drill A Few Holes
Now that you have the area cleaned up and the necessary tools in hand, you can start drilling a few holes for the posts that will hold up the roof. These posts will be the same width as the bed slats you’ll use for the roof and should be placed about a foot away from each other. The closer they are, the more stable the structure will be when you’re sitting on it.
Attach The Posts
After you’ve drilled the posts, you can attach them to the wall using metal plates and screws. It’s important to pre-drill the holes before you start screwing so the screws will be anchored into the wood and won’t pop out due to shifting. Once the posts are in place, you can secure them to the wall using metal strapping or wood ties. If you’re using metal strapping, make sure to purchase the kind with the grip strips on both ends so you can attach it to the posts and the wall easily. Doing this will save you a lot of time in the long run.
Measure, Cut And Assemble The Bed Slats
Once you’ve attached the posts to the wall, it’s time to cut the bed slats. These are the pieces of wood that will form the floor of the structure and they’ll be used to support your seating area. You can either buy factory-cut slats or cut them by hand using a circular saw. Once the bed slats are in place, use a nail puller to make sure they’re all attached properly (and don’t move around too much while you’re at it).
Install The Screens And Sheeting
The last step before you can sit or lay down is to install the screen and sheathing. These are the inner and outer walls that you’ll build around the outside of the structure. The screen will keep out the weather while the sheathing (which is usually made of wooden or metal studs) will provide a stable base for the building. You can choose to use either an outdoor rug or blankets to protect the floor of your seating area from getting cold in the wintertime. As a general rule of thumb, the thinner the sheathing is, the more wind-resistant it will be. Thicker sheathing will keep out rain, snow, and cold air longer.
The Final Touch
Once you’ve built the four walls of your hot box, it’s time to crown it with a roof. You can either use 2x4s held up with metal roofing or the traditional wooden shingles. The choice is entirely up to you. If you go with the metal roof, you’ll also need to purchase a ridge cap to go on top of it. This will keep your attic from being rained on in the future. The ridge cap should be the same width as the bed slats and should be attached to the wood with screws so it doesn’t move around too much while you’re using it.
If you decide on the wooden shingles, make sure to purchase the right length – if they’re too long, they’ll tear off in the wind. The same goes for the sheathing. It’s important to have a smooth, uninterrupted surface for the comfort of your guests so don’t skimp out on the shingles or sheathing just to save a few bucks. This is why it’s best to buy them by the roll instead of in individual sheets.
While you’re at it, you can install a stove or fireplace to provide some ambiance and warmth for your lodge. This, of course, will need to be built into the wall so it doesn’t take up too much room when not in use. When the weather is good, putting the firebox down on the floor is one way to enjoy a glass of wine or fire up a camp stove and make some frugal French fries. It’s up to you!
With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to build a simple but effective hot box in no time. You might even make some new friends while you’re at it. If you’ve ever dreamed about sitting by the fire with a cold drink and some great company, now is your chance to make those dreams a reality. With a little bit of creativity, you can find a way to make almost any outdoor activity available to you even if you don’t live in a warmer climate. From an Adirondack chair at the beach to an outdoor shower at the campground, there’s always something you can make use of. If you need some fresh air but don’t want to go outside, you can build a hot box!