Cladding is an innovative facade to disguise your shipping container appearance. Cladding for a shipping container is the process of covering the exterior surface of a shipping container with another material, such as wood, metal, brick, or plastic.
Cladding is a popular method of modifying the exterior appearance of a shipping container. It involves adding a layer of material to the container’s existing structure to create a more aesthetically pleasing and functional design.
Cladding can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, or composite materials. The material you choose for your cladding will depend on the look you want to achieve, your budget, and the climate in which the container will be located.
Cladding can also serve other purposes besides aesthetics. For example, it can help to insulate the container and protect it from the elements, improving its durability and lifespan. It can also be used to provide added security or privacy.
Overall, cladding is a great way to transform a shipping container into a more attractive and useful structure. An option to blend in with the neighborhood to discerning locals.
Benefits of Cladding Your Shipping Container
Cladding can have several purposes, such as:
- Improving the appearance and design of the shipping container
- Protecting the metal walls from corrosion and weathering
- Adding another layer of insulation and comfort to the shipping container
- Enhancing the value and appeal of the shipping container
Cladding for a shipping container can be done in different ways, depending on the type of material and the desired look. Some of the common methods are:
- Attaching wooden batons horizontally to the outside of the container, and then adding the cladding material vertically to the batons
- Applying a coating or a spray to the container walls, creating a smooth or textured surface
- Using interlocking panels or tiles that can mimic the look of brick, stone, or other materials
- Using metal sheets or composite panels that can be fixed to the container walls with rails or profiles
Different Materials For Cladding
There are many different materials that you can use for cladding your shipping container house, depending on your budget, style, and insulation needs. Some of the common options are:
- Insulated cladding: This is a type of cladding that has a layer of insulation material attached to the back of the cladding panels. It can help you save valuable space inside the container and prevent heat transfer to the metal walls. You can choose from various finishes, such as porcelain, timber, or stone¹.
- Weatherboards: These are horizontal boards that are nailed to the container walls, creating a traditional or rustic look. They can be made of timber, metal, or cement².
- Render: This is a type of coating that is applied to the container walls, creating a smooth or textured surface. It can be painted in any color or pattern you like. It can also help protect the container from corrosion and weathering³.
- Metal sheets: These are thin sheets of metal that are attached to the container walls, creating a modern or industrial look. They can be made of steel, aluminum, or copper. They can also reflect heat and light, making the container cooler and brighter⁴.
Brick Cladding
One of the types of brick cladding that you can use on your shipping container home is brick slips. These are thin tiles that look exactly like standard fired bricks. They come in many textures, colours and designs, so you can match them with the rest of your home or create a contrast. Brick slips are also easy to install and durable1.
Another option is to use insulated cladding with a brick finish. This is a type of cladding that has a layer of insulation material attached to the back of the cladding panels, and a brick-like surface on the front. This can help you save space inside the container and prevent heat transfer to the metal walls. You can choose from various brick styles and colours2.
Aluminum Cladding
Aluminum cladding is a type of metal cladding that you can use on your shipping container home. It has some advantages, such as:
- It is lightweight and easy to install
- It is durable and resistant to corrosion and weathering
- It can reflect heat and light, making the container cooler and brighter
- It can create a modern or industrial look for your container home
Some of the options for aluminum cladding are:
- Aluminium sheets: These are thin sheets of aluminium that are attached to the container walls, creating a smooth or textured surface. You can choose from different finishes, such as matte or reflective, polished or patina, etc1.
- Aluminium composite panels: These are panels that consist of two aluminium sheets bonded to a core of plastic or mineral. They are also known as sandwich panels or ACPs. They can offer better insulation and fire resistance than aluminium sheets. They can also come in various colours and designs2.
- Aluminium cladding systems: These are systems that use aluminium profiles or rails to fix the cladding panels to the container walls. They can allow for more flexibility and creativity in the cladding design. They can also create a gap between the cladding and the container wall, which can improve ventilation and insulation3.
More Traditional Cladding Style
If you want to achieve an old traditional style cladding for your shipping container home, you might want to consider using timber or wood as your cladding material. Timber cladding can give you:
- A natural look that blends well with the environment
- A range of textures and colours to choose from
- A long-lasting and easy to maintain cladding
- A cozy and rustic look for your container home
Some of the options for timber cladding are:
- Weatherboards: These are horizontal boards that are nailed to the container walls, creating a traditional or cottage-like look. They can be made of different types of wood, such as pine, cedar, or oak1.
- Tongue and groove: These are interlocking panels that create a neat and smooth surface. They can also help keep moisture away from the metal wall underneath. They can be painted or stained in any colour you like2.
- Feather-edge: These are overlapping boards that are installed at an angle, creating a roof-like effect. They can add some depth and texture to your container home. They can also create a classic or barn-like look2.
- Square edge: These are straight boards that create a uniform and flat surface. They can create a clean and modern look for your container home. They can also allow you to create patterns or rhythms with the spaces between the boards2.
Large Stone Style Cladding
If you want to use large sand stone cladding for your shipping container home, you might want to consider using insulated cladding with a stone finish. This is a type of cladding that has a layer of insulation material attached to the back of the cladding panels, and a stone-like surface on the front. This can help you:
- Save space inside the container and prevent heat transfer to the metal walls
- Choose from various stone styles and colours, such as limestone, sandstone, or slate
- Enjoy the benefit of a stunning cladding and insulation in one simple application
- Create an old traditional style look for your container home
Some of the options for insulated cladding with a stone finish are:
- Large format porcelain panels: These are panels that are made of porcelain, a type of ceramic material that is durable and resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. They can mimic the look and feel of natural stone, such as sandstone, marble, or granite. They can also come in different sizes and shapes, such as square, rectangular, or hexagonal1.
- Timber face porcelain: These are panels that are made of porcelain, but have a timber-like texture and colour on the surface. They can create a contrast between the natural and the artificial, the old and the new, the warm and the cool. They can also blend well with the environment and create a cozy and rustic look1.
- Stone facings: These are panels that are made of natural or artificial stone, such as limestone, sandstone, or slate. They can create a realistic and authentic look for your container home. They can also add some depth and texture to your cladding. They can also come in different finishes, such as polished, honed, or split1.
Conclusion
Cladding a shipping container home can help it blend in better with the surrounding neighborhood. By using materials that are similar to those used in nearby homes or buildings, you can create a cohesive look that is more visually appealing and fits in with the style of the area.
Cladding can also help to mitigate some of the negative perceptions that some people may have about shipping container homes. By adding a layer of insulation and a more traditional exterior, you can create a home that looks and feels more like a traditional house, which may help to dispel some of the misconceptions that some people may have about shipping container homes.
Additionally, using cladding can be a good way to comply with local zoning and building codes, which may require that new construction be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. By using cladding that matches the style and materials of nearby homes or buildings, you can ensure that your shipping container home meets these requirements and is more likely to be approved by local officials.
Overall, cladding can be a great way to create a shipping container home that blends in better with the surrounding neighborhood, while also improving its functionality, durability, and overall appearance.
Recent Posts
In the year 2019, I embarked on a unique and ambitious project that would forever change the way I interacted with my prized possession, the 2000 E240 Mercedes W210. Inspired by my passion for both...
Nestled on the upper slope of a picturesque farm, amid the swaying coconut trees on Ticao Island in the Philippines, three identical self-contained dwellings stood as a testament to innovation and...