How to Live in a Silo

Choose one side of the silo for the front door. Purchase a door and door jam and measure the dimensions on the silo. Mark the dimensions with a pen and cut out the door with a sawzall. Install the door jam around the edges to cover the sharp metal and screw the hinges on the silo with a drill. Screw the hinges on the door.

Enter the silo and inspect the space until you form a rough vision of the finished interior. Draw the design on paper to plan for the living space. Also plan on adding levels for tall silos. Adding multiple levels maximizes the available space.

Cover the floor with slate or tiles for dirt floor silos or pour a concrete floor for a permanent location. Set a wood-burning stove in the silo and cut a hole in the wall to fit the stove pipe through. Run an insulated stove pipe through the wall and cover any gaps with metal flashing. Now the silo is prepared for heat.

Cut at least two ventilation holes in the silo base and the silo top. Use household rectangular vents to allow airflow through the silo. Grain silos generally are well sealed to protect the grain against rodents and moisture. Ventilation is necessary for safely living in a silo.

Drill a rounded curtain rod directly to the silo wall and hang a curtain from the clips. Place a composting toilet in the opening for an easy bathroom solution in areas without septic approval.

Dig below the floor level and run PVC pipe into the the silo for running water. Connect the pipe to a well and place a recycled RV water reservoir on a shelf above the planned kitchen. Use gravity to feed the water down to the a kitchen sink or shower.