To answer what a container home is we first must look at what is a container. In reference to a container home we refer to the shipping container or sea container as it is also known by. A structure by which cargo is moved from one location to another in a long metal box.
A container home is a dwelling made primarily from a shipping container as its foundation. The shipping container is modified with doors and windows to form a home style structure. From there additions of walls, home furnishings and landscaping follow. The end result being a functional home dwelling.
A shipping container home is not every persons idea of a traditional home. Every generation faces the obstacle of owning their own home. It seems the cost of land plus house is ever increasing. The population growth is for ever impacting our cities. Renting is the other option but today even rental properties are becoming hard to find, even if you ignore the monetary cost of renting.
A Little Container History
Shipping containers are used to move cargo to and from destinations. The bulk of shipping containers travel by sea then road or rail to their final destination. There life span as a container is limited due to value, and structural damage generally whilst in transit. In some cases, the cost of transporting an empty container to a place where it can be used is considered to be higher than the worth of the used container.
Containers of various shapes and sizes have been used to transport goods for centuries. During the first 20 years (1920-1940’s) of containerization, many container sizes and corner fittings were used. There were dozens of incompatible container systems around the world.
The standard sizes and fitting and reinforcement norms that now exist evolved out of a series of compromises among international shipping companies, European railroads, US railroads, and US trucking companies. Containerization greatly reduced the expense of international trade and increased its speed, especially of consumer goods and commodities. It also dramatically changed the character of port cities worldwide. (Wikipedia)
What is Standard Shipping Container Size
There are five common standard lengths:
- 20 ft (6.10 m)
- 40 ft (12.19 m)
- 45 ft (13.72 m)
- 48 ft (14.63 m)
- Note: 48′ containers have been phased out over the last ten years in favor of 53′ containers.
- 53 ft (16.15 m)
Containers used for home dwellings are most commonly the 20ft and 40ft lengths. These are maneuverable and can be positioned with relative ease. They are also more manageable as a base for modification.
Width and Height of a Sea Container
The original choice of 8-foot (2.44 m) height for ISO containers was made in part to suit a large proportion of railway tunnels. This does vary in some locations.
Container capacity is often expressed in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU, or sometimes teu). A measure of containerized cargo capacity is equal to one standard 20 ft (6.10 m) (length) × 8 ft (2.44 m) (width) container. As this is an approximate measure, the height of the box is not considered.
Uses for Containers
In the beginning unused containers were being commissioned as industrial storage sheds and site office’s on commercial building sites. After all you were delivered the cargo and the container remained. The benefit being you can move a container to another site when needed. No dismantling required, just crane and truck transport to destination.
Containers are also converted to provide equipment enclosures, pop-up cafes, exhibition stands, security huts, garages for vehicles and more.
As the price of containers became more affordable individuals were able to purchase them for use as a cabin or as a workshop. In poorer countries containers are used as road side stores, workshops, storage facilities and many other applications.
Container Accessories
The high demand for containers to be converted in the domestic market resulted in a number of container-specific accessories. Items such as racking for archiving, lining, heating, lighting, and power points to create purpose-built secure offices, canteens and drying rooms. In addition there are condensation controls for furniture storage, and ramps for storage of heavier objects available.
The Container Home Dwelling
Eventually the use of containers as the basis for housing and other functional buildings for people, either as temporary or a permanent housing, became a doable thing.
The cost of a used container became more affordable, even after modifications were undertaken when compared to the building of a house structure. Land always being the grounding force of location.
As long as you acquired approval to build a container home structure on your land, the cost would be far less than that of a modern home purchase. Not only cost but the time frame was literally weeks compared to months for a home construction.
Container Home vs Traditional Home
When you view a container you immediately say it looks big from the outside but open the doors and you will think how small it appears on the inside. In its unstructured form that is the reality, dark and gloomy.
However add windows or when a number of containers are forged together, and modified into living areas, that feeling of small is magically transformed into wow. When doors and windows are added even a single 20ft container looks as roomy as a small bungalow or hotel room.
When we think of a traditional house we think of spacious rooms, and living spaces that we have generally grown up with from birth. Our parents lived in these traditional homes. As did our grandparents. The only time we needed to enlarge was when the family grew and we needed another room.
The Container Interior
A container interior with finished walls, doors and windows can look just like a typical traditional home. The one difference will be a container home has an 8ft ceiling. The standard traditional modern room height is anywhere between 7ft and 7ft 10in (2.4m) although this does vary.
This is not to say a container does not have its problems. Room size is still something that needs to be factored into the design even if conjoined containers are used. Extra care is needed to define use of storage space and its location. Even a traditional home requires storage space that disappears in to cupboards, attics and cellars.
If your budget allows you can add more containers to the floor plan. More containers allow for more room space. In view of the fact containers are stack-able, you can always go up and add a 2nd and 3rd floor to your designs.
Architects and Container Home
In some situations you will find engaging an Architect to plan and design your container home will prove beneficial in the process of gaining approval to build. The idea of a container home does bring some negative thought. A metal box swinging from a crane at a shipping yard does not appeal to many neighborhoods.
We have an image of an established house, and our streets are filled with them. You want to add a metal box to that image without clarification. Sometimes it is better to provide architectural qualifiers to present the completed structure as a home and not an ocean going metal box.
An Architect can more importantly provide quantifiable usage of space in a drawing allowing for placement of storage containers, location of furniture, and wall structures and fittings. Even if you plan to DIY a structured drawing can give you the necessary information to take the guess work out of the equation.
The Cost Factor
We are familiar with house prices in our area. With a little research you can find the cost of containers available to you in your area. You will also be able to contact local builders for pricing quotes to modify your containers if that is the path you are choosing.
Costing a container home needs to be detailed unless you are DIY and have a reasonable size budget. On the assumption you already have acquired the land you still need to consider foundations and access. There are considerations for power and water. A competent builder can provide you with that information and services. Read our article on Why Buy a Container Home and not a Traditional Home? for more insight and information.
The cost variation between a container home and a traditional home is substantial. Removing the land component from the equation as both require land. You still have design flexibility and resources to consider.
| 3 Bedroom Comparison | 3 Bedroom House | 3 Bedroom 6xContainer |
| Area size of building | 180sq/m | 192sq/m |
| Approximation cost of building | AU $495k +/- | AU $50k +/- |
Hidden Factors to be Considered
There really are no hidden factors to consider. A container home is basically the same as a traditional home. Both need amenities. This includes water, sewerage, and electricity. The main difference is that a container home comes with walls and structure. A traditional home is built from ground up.
Any wall modification needs to be undertaken with respect to structural integrity. That is the same with a traditional home. You can not just take a wall out without first assessing load bearing and structural integrity. You need a engineer to assess the situation.
Don’t be mistaken that a container home is stronger than a traditional home. Both have structural strengths and weaknesses. Both need careful consideration to structural alterations. Both come with additional costs.
The Darker Side to Container Homes
Apart from the big ugly metal box image, a container home carries the unfortunate label of modular home or transportable home. A home that is not permanent. With that in mind the fear for neighbors is one day your container home is going to be picked up and taken elsewhere leaving an unsightly gap in the street.
That thought of someone parking their caravan in the vacant lot next to yours is generally a big no-no! Frowned upon by nearly all in the street. What is required is an understanding of what a container home can be.
Think of a container as a prefabricated room. One of many rooms just like a traditional house. All the prefabricated rooms come together to metamorphosis into a permanent home. Just like a traditional home with all of its rooms, a container home is one of the same. The only difference being its metal structure.
Construction Thoughts and Ideas
Today the traditional house is being completed in less time because much of the internal fame work is being imported from China in sea containers. Why, you can even order door frames from China with the door in situ. With framework complete the builder only has to set them in place and fill in the gaps.
In the case of a sea container, the structure is in place waiting for doors and windows. The gap is completed with the next container attachment. Both housing structures require internal walls and features.
Unsightly Flat Roof
Many sea container homes are pictured with a flat roof looking like… a sea container box. However, adding a tented roof structure will not only look more homely but it will provide welcoming insulation factors to your home. In addition a roof structure will also make for a nice attic.
Conclusion
A home, your home, is a place of comfort, and a place to sleep safely. Homes have been made out of caves, straw, timber, concrete, ice, metal and in space stations orbiting the planet. Whatever the structure we still call it home.
Your choice of structure is based on economics and location. Today what we consider a traditional style home is for many becoming unreachable. Alternative structures are being utilised to create a place we can call our home. Around the World today there are literally millions of unused shipping containers waiting for just that opportunity.
We live in a society of waste. Our oceans and rivers are polluted with waste, mostly plastic that we do not re-use. But there is change. Recycled plastics are being used in road construction. Shipping containers are being re-purposed for housing in poorer countries. Even concrete pipe is being used for accommodation dwellings. We have the ability, we just need more thought, imagination and action.
Thank you for stopping by, and we hope to see you again soon!!
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