Posted on Feb 26, 2021
I'm about to build a house out of shipping containers. Does anyone have experience with this?
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Posted 4 y ago
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On my last deployment, we built a 5 room interview/meet complex out of containers. I was involved logistically and watched it happen, but I was not a builder.
The Pro-tips I can remember....
1) Make sure you properly level the ground. Having the separate containers makes for a fun time if one container sits a 1/2" higher than another.
2) Build a roof. Even if it is a simple tin roof, you need something to keep the rain/snow off, because the containers don't slope, and won't naturally displace it.
3) Pay attention to the structural integrity of the containers. You will (presumably) be cutting holes for doors. Don't cut them all the way to the top, and leave enough "wall" to support the container top.
4) Insulation is your friend.
5) Waterproofing. They SHOULD be water-tight when you get them, but double check.
6) Plan, plan, plan. Do you want the existing cargo doors to be operational? If yes, make sure you account for opening and closing them. But you probably don't. So weld them shut and put them to the inside. Do you want a "filled in box", a square with a courtyard, an H, an L, a U, or some other shape? The wonderful thing about using containers is you can design how you want.
6a) Plan plan plan. Think ahead for where you are going to run your electrical and plumbing. Make sure you aren't exposing these when you go from container to container.
7) In a pinch, when you need to insulate your hand while arc welding, your flip flop will work. (Did I mention that ours was built in Afghanistan by local nationals?) Seriously, it will work, but PLEASE don't try this at home. Please.
8) If you are using standard containers, once you lay in your floor and create your ceiling, it WILL feel a little bit cramped. But you get used to it.
9) It is REALLY all about what you do inside those containers. If you finish up the inside properly, it can feel like a much nicer and more lavish home than anything you can get on the market for twice the price.
The Pro-tips I can remember....
1) Make sure you properly level the ground. Having the separate containers makes for a fun time if one container sits a 1/2" higher than another.
2) Build a roof. Even if it is a simple tin roof, you need something to keep the rain/snow off, because the containers don't slope, and won't naturally displace it.
3) Pay attention to the structural integrity of the containers. You will (presumably) be cutting holes for doors. Don't cut them all the way to the top, and leave enough "wall" to support the container top.
4) Insulation is your friend.
5) Waterproofing. They SHOULD be water-tight when you get them, but double check.
6) Plan, plan, plan. Do you want the existing cargo doors to be operational? If yes, make sure you account for opening and closing them. But you probably don't. So weld them shut and put them to the inside. Do you want a "filled in box", a square with a courtyard, an H, an L, a U, or some other shape? The wonderful thing about using containers is you can design how you want.
6a) Plan plan plan. Think ahead for where you are going to run your electrical and plumbing. Make sure you aren't exposing these when you go from container to container.
7) In a pinch, when you need to insulate your hand while arc welding, your flip flop will work. (Did I mention that ours was built in Afghanistan by local nationals?) Seriously, it will work, but PLEASE don't try this at home. Please.
8) If you are using standard containers, once you lay in your floor and create your ceiling, it WILL feel a little bit cramped. But you get used to it.
9) It is REALLY all about what you do inside those containers. If you finish up the inside properly, it can feel like a much nicer and more lavish home than anything you can get on the market for twice the price.
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