How much does it cost to build a shipping container home?

Building a shipping container home costs about the same as a traditional home of a similar size. All comfortable homes need insulation, plumbing, windows, doors, and finishing work. A homeowner will see cost-savings if they build a single container home with small square-footage but in many cases, a traditional tiny home would likely be more cost-effective. Container homes are more affordable in temperate climates that require less protection from temperature fluctuations and the elements.

How long do container homes last?

Shipping containers are known for their stability and longevity, so a well-maintained container will stand indefinitely. The main culprits are rust and any structural issues created when you cut holes for windows, doors, and ductwork. Be sure to use a contractor that understands how to maintain the structural integrity of the container. External insulation and cladding will help protect the container from the elements and reduce the likelihood of rusting.

Are shipping container homes cheaper?

A shipping container home will be comparable in cost to other types of homes. While the container itself can be inexpensive, the foundation, electrical, plumbing, and finishing work will be nearly identical to a traditional home. Shipping containers can be expensive to finish, as they are inflexible and not built to scale, unlike other prefabricated options.

How do you insulate a container home?

A shipping container is a big, metal box that is prone to overheating in hot climates and provides no protection from freezing temperatures. Container homes can be insulated, but the small space provides unique challenges. It is suggested that a dense insulation option, like spray foam, is used to minimize space usage. Spray foam can be sprayed directly onto the metal walls, but beware off-gassing of this petrochemical product. Other insulation materials like wool, fiberglass or cellulose should be installed on the outside of the container between a vapor barrier and external membrane then covered with cladding.

Are shipping container homes safe?

The main danger of shipping container homes is toxic fumes from floor finishes and interior paint. You can contact the original manufacturer to discover whether the floors or walls contain hazardous chemicals. If your new container does contain hazardous treated floors, you can replace the flooring or cover it with a non-breathable flooring underlayment. The walls can be stripped of the toxic paint, or covered with spray foam or non-toxic paint. Always use no or low-VOC finishes, and allow your container to off-gas for a few days.

Do shipping container homes get hot?

Yes, shipping containers get very hot. A thick, continuous layer of insulation will reduce heating and temperature fluctuations. Further reduce heating by installing air conditioning, or take advantage of passive cooling strategies like natural shading and installed shading. An air vent in the ceiling will also allow hot air to escape.

Learn about Shipping Container Home

A shipping container home is a home made from a metal shipping container. It can be made with a single container or a collection of containers to create a large, multi-story home. The home can be outfitted to be as comfortable as a traditional home with doors, windows, insulation, ventilation, plumbing, and power. It's no surprise that shipping containers are easy to transport making them relatively easy to source and set in place on a prepared foundation.

An attractive element of shipping container homes is that they make use of recycled shipping containers, thus diverting waste from landfills. Many builders use new containers, thereby eliminating any sustainable benefits of this building choice. Shop around for a truly recycled container, and check for signs of rust and structural issues, especially on the roof.

One of the primary challenges with building or buying a shipping container home is insulation, as the depth of the walls is fairly shallow. The four most popular types of insulation for shipping container hopes are spray foam, denim, wool, and cork. Be mindful that while the walls of a shipping container home are extremely strong, the roof is not. Most shipping container builders will either reinforce the roof or install another roof over top.

It's important to ensure that the container is free of hazardous industrial material. While it may not be possible to know what the shipping container was used for in its past life, it's important to ensure it's free of lead, pesticides, or other hazardous contaminants. A simple air quality test can determine if the container is safe for use.

Building a container home is a great way to recycle a shipping container that has out-lived its industrial use, but many shipping containers used for residential purposes are not truly “recycled”. A container home with small square footage allows a homeowner to live with a lower carbon footprint thanks to lower energy bills and lower land requirements.

Over 95% of world-wide cargo is transported by ship within shipping containers. Several cities around the world are looking to shipping containers to solve their housing crisis, providing affordable housing that makes efficient use of urban spaces.