How to Build an Igloo
Has anyone ever seen an igloo? Can anyone tell what it looks like? Yes, a large dome shaped bowl with a tunnel attached to it. It is generally the primitive houses of the Eskimos, who reside in the cold Antarctica and Greenland, especially the Polar Regions.
Places to Build
The ways that igloos are built by Eskimos are still not known properly, as they have their own engineering skills but this article consists of a simplified method. An igloo is made up of snow so you will need to choose a very cold region where you can get solidified snow.
Required Items
The only items that are required to build an igloo are a spade, a saw, solidified snow and shovels.
Related Ads
Ice Hotels
Skiing
Winter Clothes
Making a Start
With the help of the spade, scoop out solid snow. Carve a big dome to make the residing place. It will be a bit tough to carve this dome if the snow melts immediately. Make an estimate of the amount of space that will be required to accommodate two to three persons.
Prepare the dome with the help of snow blocks cut with the help of a saw. The dome will not crumple as the snow blocks are holding up each other. Smoothen the outer wall of the dome as well as the inside wall with the help of the spade. However, flat metal plates can also be used for the smoothening process. It is suggested that you get inside the unfinished igloo before completing the dome so as to avoid mistakes of the space allotted for persons to stay. From the inside, rub the snow to make it hollow thus completing the dome shape. A few holes can be left in the igloo’s dome to allow aeration. However, the process would be easier if one person were to work on the outer wall whilst the other works on the inside.
After the dome is completed, cut out blocks of snow with the saw to construct a tunnel to make the entrance of the igloo. It is advised to scrape out the snow blocks and rub the inside portion to make the hollow tunnel. It is easy to smooth the outside of the tunnel block but smoothing the inside is a bit tough and it will need thorough attention. Bend a thin metal piece in the form of an inverted U-shape; this can help in the smoothening process. Allow the entrance of a person.
Finishing Touches
After the construction of the igloo has been complete, light up fire, it will help to melt the snow from inside. This will help to liquefy the snow from the inside but it will quickly coagulate into solid ice as it comes in contact with the freezing temperature outside. This will help to give strength to the igloo and it can withstand snowstorms. However, do not light up a large fire. Remember to keep proper ventilation before setting it up. Your igloo is now ready to use. You can even sleep inside it. Do not worry; it will not fall on your head!