What Is a Shipping Container Home?
A shipping container home is a dwelling made from steel shipping containers—large reusable intermodal containers that transport goods. Shipping containers are available in two sizes: 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet x 8 feet: The 20-foot containers are 160 square feet, while the 40-foot shipping containers offer 320 square feet of living space. You can use these containers as a standalone home or personal office, or you can combine multiple containers to create a multilevel residence. Shipping container homes, like tiny houses, RVs, or silo homes, are rising in popularity as potential homeowners seek out alternative building solutions to the traditional multi-bedroom house.
What Are the Advantages of Shipping Container Homes?
Shipping container homes are durable, cost-effective, and customizable:
- They can be more cost-effective than traditional housing. You can purchase a container home for as low as $10,000. They are typically more cost-effective than conventional housing because they require fewer building materials and labor to construct. You can lower the cost of customizing your container housing by renovating the dwelling using your DIY skills.
- They’re quick to construct. Some contractors can build a shipping container home in under a month. However, hiring a professional to build your container dream home can be pricey. To avoid hefty construction costs altogether, you can purchase a prefabricated container home from a growing list of companies specializing in building prefab homes off-site.
- They’re modular homes. Shipping container homes are easy to modify. You can build a home with a mix of 20- and 40-foot containers. You can also combine multiple containers to create a larger home with a living room, dining room, extra bedrooms, a second floor, or even a container guesthouse.
- They’re durable. Manufacturers typically use corten steel to build shipping containers. This self-healing steel protects cargo during transport across bodies of water. Shipping container homes made from weathering steel can likely withstand inclement weather conditions better than traditional housing.
- They can be mobile. You can use a dedicated shipping transportation service to pick up and relocate an off-the-grid single-container house anywhere in the world.
5 Ways to Prepare for Your Shipping Container Home
Here are some tips to prepare you for purchasing your first shipping container home.
- 1. Be prepared for the costs. Many people begin container building projects because they think it will be inexpensive. Shipping containers alone cost thousands of dollars, not including the labor costs for complex and custom construction. High-end shipping container homes or larger homes can cost as much as traditional housing. Keep your budget in mind before you begin shopping for container home designs.
- 2. Contact your city planning office. While traditional houses have zoning rules and building regulations, your local government may not have set regulations in place for container homes. Contact your city planning office and request information regarding regulations for non-traditional homes. Find out if there are any special considerations you need to make when designing your own container home plan.
- 3. Design with natural light in mind. Steel shipping containers do not have access to natural light. When designing your floor plan, consider installing glass doors or skylights to make your interior space look bright and open. If the space is too small, consider purchasing a high-cube container, which is slightly taller than a traditional shipping container.
- 4. Inspect your container before purchase. As with any big-ticket purchase, it’s important that you see your container home in person before you buy it. Look for dents in the siding, rusting on the exterior, and leaks, which can be expensive to fix during construction.
- 5. Note the limitations. Shipping container structures are made from heavy steel to transport goods, so they don’t feature the necessary accommodations for a traditional living area. Door holes, window holes, and snow on the roof can compromise the structural integrity of your container. Understand the limitations of the structure before making a purchase.
