How to Build a House with Metal Shipping Containers

Abandoned shipping containers like these can become comfortable homes

Shipping containers transport the world’s trade but often create environmental problems when their moving days are over.

So what do you do with abandoned shipping containers? Nowadays, you build a house. Used shipping containers assemble like building blocks to meet various housing needs, from temporary shelters to luxury beach houses. Sturdy, affordable and environmentally friendly, a house built with metal shipping containers is an idea whose time has come.

Instructions

1. Design the layout of the container house. Experienced do-it-yourselfers should be able to tackle a simple one- or two-container design project, but complex designs need a building professional. The good new is more architects and builders are specializing in cargo-container architecture, with plans and ready-made kits already available.

2. Find local shipping container resellers for containers. Typically, used containers come in two sizes--40 by 8 by 8.5 feet and 20 by 8 by 8.5 feet--and cost from $1,000 to $3,000 each. Make sure the final cost includes transportation charges to the building site.

3. Build a raised foundation using poured concrete or block foundations with plenty of rebar to provide a solid base. Embed steel plates into the foundation’s corners.

4. Move containers into position with a crane. Weld container corners to the steel plates already embedded into the foundation. Also, weld together the seams where two containers meet.

5. Cut openings for doors and windows using a plasma metal cutter. Remove sidewalls where containers meet to create larger interior spaces (or make the cuts before the containers are placed onto the foundation).

6. Complete the interior finishing following traditional house building practices. Frame doors, windows and interior walls using wood or metal framing. Add insulation between the outside and interior walls or use a spray-on ceramic insulation, inside and out. Run plumbing and electrical wiring to meet local code. Lay down plywood subfloors. Finish interior decorating.

7. Complete the exterior finishing by adding a roof (if it fits the design) or keep it flat for a modern look. Leave the exterior in the original shipping container state, paint the containers, apply a stucco finish or use fiberboard siding.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure building a house with shipping containers meets local building codes.

References

• Building a Container House
• How to Subvert Your House; Buying, Designing and Building Cargo Container Homes
• Shipping Container Housing Guide

Resources

• Building a Container House Videos from Bob Vila
• Building with Shipping Containers
• Building a Container House Videos from Bob Vila