Shipping Container Home – Things You Should Know

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Shipping containers are vital to global trade. Despite their size, they are light enough to be moved by cranes and forklifts. Over time, a problem arose, an excess of used containers. This was the beginning of the shipping container home.

Where others saw a problem, innovative architects saw an opportunity. Designers have been repurposing containers since the mid-2000s. For example, a single compact shipping container furnished as a living quarters, while others combine multiple containers with other structural elements.

So, how does one go about constructing a shipping container home? Are they as cost-effective, sustainable, and livable as they claim to be? Following I discuss a few things that you should know.

WHAT ARE SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES?

It is any structure made from a shipping container, but the structures can be quite varied. Shipping containers are usually 20 or 40 feet by 8 feet. There are two sizes of containers, each with 160 square feet of living space. Ordinary (8.5 feet) or high cube (about a foot of additional vertical living area). Container homes stop here, converting the small spaces into tiny homes or offices.

Many builders and homeowners combine containers to build larger homes. When building a container home, walls are often removed to make the interiors more spacious. Containers can be stacked to create multi-level homes, while others can be turned into architectural marvels.

WHERE DO SHIPPING CONTAINERS COME FROM, AND HOW DO YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE?

Unfilled new shipping containers are almost always made in China by CIMC, which makes nearly 82% of all steel shipping containers in the world. Used shipping containers are a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. Note the certificates. Some are certified for international shipping, while others are wind and watertight.

Some containers are labeled “one trip” and offer a good mix of price and condition. It is not recommended to use “as is” containers in home construction due to the possibility of hazardous chemicals being transported in them.

Used containers are available from national and local vendors. In contrast to local sellers, national dealers have huge inventories and can deliver almost anywhere. Tow trucks and forklifts can move and pull 20-foot containers, but 40-foot containers almost always require a crane. Finally, ready-to-move-in shipping container homes are available. It’s a one-stop shop for anyone looking for a shipping container home who doesn’t want to build one themselves.

shipping containers

TO BUILD A SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME, WHAT KIND OF PERMITS ARE REQUIRED?

To begin, familiarize yourself with your local rules and regulations as shipping container design is still in its infancy. I recommend make sure your container building fits on the property and complies with existing building codes and zoning restrictions. Building codes specify what a structure must have to be occupied. Meanwhile, zoning dictates where a home can be built.

However, some laws and regulations lump “non-traditional” structures together, such as tiny houses or dome homes. Shipping container homes are more likely to be accepted in less-trafficked areas, I suggest checking with your city or county planner.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULTIES OF BUILDING WITH A SHIPMENT CONTAINER?

Shipping containers, despite their housing-friendly qualities, can cause problems. To begin, most shipping containers are eight feet wide, with an interior room width of about seven feet. The space is small even for people used to living in small apartments. If you want larger rooms, you’ll need to remove more shipping containers’ walls or enclose the area between two parallel but independent containers.

The metal of the containers can also make insulation difficult to install. Corrugated metal sides of shipping containers do not have a hollow for insulation. Steel strengthening may be required for large-scale projects with many containers, raising costs.

IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAN TRADITIONAL HOMES?

Shipping container advocates applaud them for reusing unwanted containers. There are millions of unused cargo containers around the world. Shipments are cheaper to receive than to return, so some containers are discarded after one voyage.

By reusing a safe shipping container, you can reduce the use of other building materials like wood and brick, while also saving money. Solar panels, wind power, water recycling systems, and rainwater harvesting systems are common features of container home owners who are environmentally conscious.

Yet some used containers may contain hazardous substances or have been treated to prevent corrosion during transit, leaving high levels of chemical residue. Choosing the right container is critical. Others argue that making steel containers habitable negates the recycling benefits. Unusable containers produce roughly a thousand pounds of hazardous waste before they can be used as a building.

IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME CHEAPER THAN OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS?

Building shipping container homes isn’t always cheaper than traditional stick-built homes, but it is feasible. Project cost is determined by location, size, style, and interior finishes. Prices range from $1,400 for smaller containers up to $6,000 for a brand new 40-foot container. Newer containers cost more than older containers.

A flat metal roof, outside walls, and a metal frame that can act as a foundation are all included in a shipping container. You’ll still have to pay for shipping, insulation, and interior finishing.

You must pay for the land. Container homes, on the other hand, can often be built on (well-designated) land that would be unsuitable for conventional construction. You can raise shipping container homes off the ground instead of excavating on a rocky or steep site. Pre-built shipping container homes start at $33,000 for the smallest, most basic models.

IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME EASIER TO BUILD THAN OTHER HOMES?

The construction of traditional stick-built homes takes longer. Container homes can be built in a few days or weeks, depending on how much finishing work is required. More complex homes will take several months to build, and shipping container homes are still subject to delays. Choosing a company that builds the majority of the structure offsite before moving it to your land will save you time and money. However, they come prebuilt with most of the amenities you’ll need to get started right away.

Summary: Shipping Container Home – Things You Should Know

Shipping containers are vital to global trade. Despite their size, they are light enough to be moved by cranes and forklifts. Over time, a problem arose: an excess of used containers. Where others saw a problem, innovative architects saw an opportunity. Designers have been repurposing containers since the mid-2000s. For example, a single compact shipping container furnished as a living quarters, while others combine multiple containers with other structural elements.

If you have any questions about things to know about a shipping container home contact me today.