Shipping containers are designed to stack corner to corner, like you see on ships and in ports. If you want to stack containers in an unconventional way, or cut out big windows and doorways, it's important to note additional budget and work will be required. &#;If you're building a one-story container home, it's really a breeze. But the second you go up a floor, just know there's going be a lot of added costs and added structural reinforcement needed, especially if you're stacking in the non-conventional way,&#; explains Washington State-based builder Devon Loerop.
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&#;When you turn containers 90 degrees and they're not stacked on the corners, and that's when you have to look at some serious structural reinforcement. It makes for a really cool design, but it's going be a bit of a headache. So you really want to do your due diligence and dive into understanding structural steel, what it's going to take to make your home 100% rock solid, and how that is going to affect the inside of your design.&#;
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Metal is inherently a bad insulator so condensation is quick to form when it&#;s hot inside and cold outside or vice versa. For this reason, closed cell foam should be used for shipping container homes because it acts as vapor barrier as well as an insulator. If traditional insulation is used moisture in the form of condensation can cause corrosion, mold, and mildew to build up over time, which can be hazardous and dangerous.
Now, closed cell foam can be expensive, especially if you have to reach a specified thickness for R value to meet inspection (keep in mind building codes and requirements will vary by location and climate). &#;I paid something like $32,000 to do a closed cell spray foam,&#; shares Loerop of his Pacific Bin build.
But in hindsight, this one clever technique could have saved him thousands: "A way to save a ton of money is to just apply a very thin layer of closed cell spray foam on the inside of your walls&#;like three quarter to an inch thick. That will add a little insulation but the main thing is it's creating a vapor barrier for you to then roll in typical batt installation. That alone will probably save you like $15,000 on insulating your home.&#;
Most areas in the United States allow shipping container homes. And in many cases the designs are simpler and easier to prepare for permit submission.
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While you might be able to cut corners during the construction part of the project, you have to go by the book when it comes to getting the initial paperwork for your shipping container home.
Before you even order a shipping container, make sure you have all the necessary building code permits and planning permission from the local entities. Ensure you&#;re allowed to build a home and that a shipping container home complies with local and state policies.
If you are building a home out of a single container, you can probably assemble everything you need by yourself. You can use programs like Sketchup or Planner5D to produce basic designs for your permit application.
If your design is more complicated with multiple containers, it&#;s probably best to work with an architect and structural engineer to ensure that the floor plan you have in mind for your shipping container house is structurally sound.
It&#;s a good idea to find an architect who has worked with shipping containers in the past because building with them is entirely different than a typical wooden, steel, or brick building. Also keep in mind that anything you can put in a custom home, you can put in a container home.
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