How to Build Using Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are sealed watertight.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, shipping containers are being explored by architects as suitable housing units. Shipping containers are off-the-shelf watertight units that can be quickly, easily and economically converted into housing units. They are also easy to transport. For example, a cottage made from a shipping container can be moved on the back of a truck to its destination and installed quickly. Shipping containers can be welded together for larger houses.

Things You'll Need

• Shipping container
• Cutting torch
• Door with framing
• Windows
• Garden hose
• Water supply
• Old newspapers
• Metal cutting power saw
• Sealer chalk

Instructions

Basic Conversion

1. Design a housing unit inside a shipping container. Containers are eight feet wide by either 20 or 40 feet long. Designing will require a knowledge base of drafting, architecture or home building. In the design, you will need to include the plumbing, the HVAC system and the electrical system. Check with your local building or zoning department for guidance on code adherence.

2. Hook up the garden hose to a water supply. Stand on top of the container, and spray the top with water. Instruct a helper to walk around inside the container, to check for leaks. Leaks must be patched up before the container can be converted into a housing unit.

3. Lay out the location of the doors and windows on the exterior of the container. Grasp your cutting torch and start cutting out the holes. Precautions must be taken. Spread a one inch thick layer of very wet newspaper on the floor, if its wooden. Cut the holes out from the outside in so the smoke gets blown away by the wind. Wear protective gear. Use a metal cutting power saw if a torch is unavailable.

4. Remove the wet newspaper and mop up the floor. Fit the doors and the windows in, making them watertight with sealer chalk.

5. Add in plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems. Also, add walls and decorative elements like carpeting.

6. Transport the container to its destination. Conversely, you can transport the container first and cut out and fit the doors and windows after it is placed. If you wish, you can add a roof to the unit after the container is placed in its final destination. Transporting a container with a roof may present difficulties because of low clearance bridges, so only add the roof after your reach the final destination.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not an overnight job. It will require hard work and patience. After the job is done though, you will have a very attractive house for a fraction of the price of a conventionally built home.

• You must have an in-depth knowledge base of power tools and cutting torches. If you do not, the cutting out of the openings perhaps can be contracted to professional metal fabricators.

References

• San Francisco Chronicle: Innovative Architects Turn Used Shipping Containers Into Homes
• Bob Vila: Building a Container House

Resources

• Google Images: Shipping Containers Used as Houses