A shipping container house would be a unique dwelling designed from a shipping container, however the resulting dwellings can be very varied. Shipping containers generally come in two dimensions, either 20 by 8 foot or forty by eight foot. The smaller of these two equates to about 160 square feet of residential living area, while the latter size equals you 360 square feet total. These dwellings are constructed in a variety of ways. Some are built more-or-less-instantly, some are shipped as-is, and others are custom built.
Building Codes don't apply to shipping container houses because they are assembled sections of a modular building. This means the container home must be constructed in an approved area according to local building codes and are then placed on top of foundations in a specially designed container that is then delivered to the site. The foundation used is determined by local building codes, soil conditions, and other variables. Building codes do affect the overall look and feel of the container home, however they do not dictate how the container home will be used or what kind of dwelling it will be.
Because shipping container homes can be custom built, you can have a finished look or a bare bones look to the exterior. With barebones, you might just have basic poles and beams and basic construction details. You can also have additions added or alterations made to the foundation and walls and roof. Shipping container house manufacturer who specialize in shipping container houses and who can help you with any architectural or structural questions you may have.
One option is to go with steel framing for your shipping container house. Some companies offer steel framing built to specific specifications. Others offer customized shipping container walls. Steel framing can include flat bottom sections, L-shaft sections, and V-shaft sections. A steel shipping container walls package is lighter than wood, yet stronger and more secure.
For a prefabricated shipping container home, you want a footprint that is well calculated. It should be measured on the east-west axes and forty five feet per side for east to west and east to north width. For North America, you should choose a footprint that is six hundred feet per side for east to west and east to north width. If you intend to place the house on an existing foundation, make sure to allow for enough space for footings and for foundation footings to keep the house in place during windy periods.
Once you have your measurements, you need to know where to locate your shipping container home when it arrives at the site of your choice. It must be strong enough to hold the truck that is being used to transport it and the other equipment that will be installed. You should also have someone install the plumbing, electrical work, HVAC systems, etc. during the time of your move. You should have the necessary equipment for such work available at the new site so you do not have to wait until you get to the job site to get everything installed. The most important thing for your movers to do is take inventory when they bring your shipment in so that they know how much material will be needed when the house is being built.
Building shipping container home builds require high quality materials with a low cost of construction labor. Laminated wood boards and plywood is usually preferred because it can withstand the elements and it is easily repaired when necessary. For interior finishes, you should use high quality paint with a water based primer. Many people prefer using vinyl interior finishes because it is less expensive but can be damaged if a good amount of pressure is placed on the vinyl.
You should plan your budget before you begin shopping for shipping container homes or a shipping container house kit. This way you will be able to see all the possibilities without having to set a budget before you begin shopping. You can start by looking at a few homes that are for sale because this will give you an idea of what styles of container homes you like. You can then begin to look for a provider of shipping container homes to make your dream of having your own home addition or home turned into a vacation home possible. Check out our website for more information on shipping container homes.
