How to Use Shipping Containers to Build Homes
Alternative home designs and construction methods represent a portion of the future of the construction industry. Using shipping containers for residential structures is one of the alternative methods that has received an increasing amount of attention in the past several years. Shipping containers offer a unique solution to quick and sustainable construction. Using shipping containers as building structures can "radically reduce the impact on the amount of trees needed for a home ... as much as 99 percent," David Cross of Tampa Custom Equipment and Tampa Armature Works told BobVila.com writer Mark Fuller. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shipping container or containers
- Arc welder
- Insulated concrete forms or traditional framing/Sheetrock materials
- Electrical supplies
- Plumbing supplies
- Insulation
- Crane
- Windows
- Doors
Instructions
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Do your research and plan
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Check with your municipality about building codes to make sure that they would allow such a structure. If you want to stack containers, you might need to hire a contractor who can bring in a crane to get the job done. Decide what kind of layout you want for your shipping container or containers and your land, where you need to put in the septic system, etc. Consider whether or not you can go to the coast and buy a shipping container. Plan out where you want windows, doors, stairs, and walls inside your house.
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Once your shipping container arrives, you are ready to go. Get an arc welder and make all the cuts for windows, doors, walls, stairs, etc. If you are joining two or more containers together, use the welder to connect them as well.
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Set the interior either by bolting studs into the wall, placing gaskets to make it waterproof, or using insulated concrete forms (ICFs). ICFs are insulated building blocks and are a new technology for building structures inside or out -- think super-modern cinder block. Test the electrical and plumbing, being sure that you get the correct inspections before moving on. Put in insulation if you are using traditional studded walls.
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Install the HVAC. An unexplainable.net piece recommends using reflective material on the roof in order to reflect incoming radiation from the sun to help save on cooling costs. If your design only calls for one or two shipping containers, considering window units and fans for the cooling side of the HVAC equation may be your ticket.
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Tips & Warnings
Research is the key. Look for forums or blogs by people who design and live in shipping container homes. Know what the drawbacks are going to be before you get into it and have a plan in place in case you need to jettison the whole idea, especially if you are part of a larger family making the transition to unconventional housing design.
Consult professionals in green building and technology in your locale about everything and anything. Be careful with making sure that you insulate the container home well so that it is neither too hot during summer nor too cold during the winter.
