Shipping Container Homes - Pros, Cons & Costs
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By Luke Hunter
Rise Writer
Jul 16,
Container homes are exactly what they sound like; homes made from the steel shipping containers that you see carrying goods everywhere on trains, trucks, and ships. From these giant Lego blocks, people are building homes of all shapes and sizes.
Shipping containers are generally available in 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft. The smallest shipping container can provide about 100 square feet of floor space for a shipping container home. Eight larger containers together can make a two-story house at about square feet. Hundreds of container micro-apartments together can make a huge apartment building.
Table of Contents
- Pros of Shipping Container Homes
- Cons of Shipping Container Homes
- Are Shipping Container Homes Safe?
- What Is The Standard Size of a Shipping Container Home?
- How Do You Insulate a Shipping Container Home?
- Can You Add a Roof to a Shipping Container Home?
- What States Allow Shipping Container Homes?
- How Much Are Shipping Container Homes?
- How Long Does A Shipping Container Home Last?
- Do Shipping Container Homes Rust?
- Do Shipping Container Homes Hold Value?
Shipping Container Home, Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Benjamin Garcia Saxe
Why are shipping containers being used to make homes, studios, cabins, and offices? Well, with about 14 million &#;out-of-service&#; containers in the world, there are lots of them available. And playing with giant blocks has a definite appeal!
Besides trendiness, interest in container homes is also part of a wider interest in saving money with prefabricated and modular homes. Many potential homeowners are looking for lower construction and maintenance costs. There is also a perception that container homes are contributing to recycling.
Container Home. Photo Credit: Patrick Bradley Architects
Could a container home be a good choice for you? Here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros of Shipping Container Homes
Prefab Shipping Container Homes
Many shipping container homes are available as prefabricated modular homes, making construction time shorter. Some companies advertise delivery within 10 weeks! Most of the building code inspections are done at the factory, which makes things simpler and quicker. Or if you are designing a custom home or building a do-it-yourself project, the container gives you a fun prebuilt structure to work with.
Ease of Transport and Finding a Site
A worldwide system exists for moving containers around. Once they reach your site, they are relatively simple to set in place on a prepared foundation.
Shipping Container Homes Have Predictable Costs
Most of the work is completed on a factory floor for a fixed price. Delivery to the site, site preparation, foundation, assembly and utility connections are the only variable costs. That said, container homes are not always less expensive. Estimates vary, and some put the savings at 5-10%, depending on what you&#;re comparing against.
Recycled Shipping Container Homes
The environmental appeal of a container home is the idea that you are re-using a leftover product of the shipping industry to make a home. This can be a good thing, but as we will see, it&#;s not always true or the best thing.
Some of the advantages, like short construction time and predictable pricing, are the same for all prefabricated and modular homes, not just those made with shipping containers. But container homes benefit uniquely from the worldwide infrastructure built to move shipping containers. Even container home skeptics admit they can be useful where local building expertise is lacking or for emergency shelters that can be moved easily. In these scenarios, the versatility of container transport is a huge advantage.
Catskills Container Home. Photo Credit: Porter Fox
Container homes are often marketed as being environmentally friendly because they are said to be made from used containers, thus conserving metal resources. There are lots of old shipping containers out there, no longer in circulation, and repurposing them into homes has a strong appeal. But is a container home really the best use of a container, from a sustainability perspective? Many would disagree.
Cons of Shipping Container Homes
Shipping Container Homes Are Not Always Effective Recycling
Most factory-built container homes are built from &#;one-use&#; containers that have only had a single trip. These containers tend to be in good shape, without dents or rust, so they are nice for building with, instead of containers that have gone &#;out-of-service&#; and may be damaged from years of use. Taking a box with lots of shipping life out of service after a single use isn&#;t effective recycling. And there is way more steel in a container than you need to build a house - if recycled as steel, it could make enough steel studs for 14 framed houses the same size.
Shipping Container Homes Could Have Structural Issues
A shipping container is very strong at the corners, but the roof is not that strong, so typically you need to build another roof over it, especially where there will be snow. Also, the corrugated steel walls are essential to the strength of the structure. This means anywhere you cut out a large window, or door opening requires new reinforcement. And when they are stacked together to make larger homes, welded (expensive) reinforcement is needed wherever two containers join at a spot that is not a corner. Any later renovations require significant engineering and welding.
Are Shipping Container Homes Safe?
It&#;s often not possible to know what has been shipped in a used container &#; anything from harmless consumer goods to hazardous industrial materials &#; or what the container has been through. The paints and finishes used on containers are industrial and intended for shipping across the ocean, not residential homes, so that they could contain lead and toxic pesticides.
What Is The Standard Size of a Shipping Container Home?
The size of shipping containers is quite limiting and can quickly be consumed by plumbing, HVAC, insulation, and other systems. A container was designed to fit on a train, which means it&#;s narrow, and ordinary furniture doesn&#;t fit right. A standard container is also only 8ft wide and 8 ft 6 in high, which doesn&#;t leave much headroom after insulation and wiring are installed.
How Do You Insulate a Shipping Container Home?
The narrow shape of a shipping container doesn&#;t lend itself to insulating the exterior very well. To avoid using up interior space, a relatively thin layer of insulation with a high R-value per inch, such as polyurethane spray foam, is often used. Although spray foam is an effective and airtight insulator, the blowing agents used in many brands of spray foam are powerful greenhouse gases.
Can You Add a Roof to a Shipping Container Home?
While shipping containers are reinforced at the corners, the existing roof may lack structural integrity. Those looking for container homes capable of support weight, such as weather, should consider if building a roof is right for them. A roof can also provide aesthetic and architectural flair that is common amongst homes in North America. While there are multiple styles of roofs that can be used for a shipping container home, flat roofs, pitched roofs, roof terraces, and living roofs are the most common.
- Flat roofs are the simplest, fastest, and least expensive to construct but can be more costly to maintain. It's essential to create a slight pitch for the drainage of rainfall.
- Living roof, also known as a green roof, is a roof with introduced plants and greenery. These roof types are both aesthetically and naturally pleasing and provide natural insulation and cooling.
- Pitched roofs are roofs that slope downwards and are among the most common roof types found in areas with heavy rainfall and snow. Popular examples of pitched roofs are gables, hip, mansard, gambrel, and skillion.
- Roof terraces are creative flat spaces built on top of the roof to expand occupiable or usable space. Many roof terraces are used for small outdoor gardens, eating or lounging areas.
Making a poor insulation decision can have a negative impact on climate change than other kinds of insulation. To construct a well-insulated wall, it would be better to build outward for more wall thickness and use a more environmentally sustainable type of insulation. But then what use is a heavy, corrugated steel exterior if it&#;s buried in insulation?
Buddina Beach Box. Photo Credit: OGE architects
As container homes continue to rise in popularity, so do requests for homeowners to build homes with them. Repurposed shipping containers are even popping up as markets, hotels, fairs, and mobile shops at local events. Even with the increasing popularity, your ability to build a home with shipping containers relies heavily on zoning regulations and building codes set forth by the local government. It's essential to do your research, understand zoning and building codes, and speak with the proper housing authorities if anything is unclear.
What States Allow Shipping Container Homes?
Suburban and rural areas tend to be more open to shipping container homes; however, some states are visibly more open to alternative living. Texas, California, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, and Alaska are among the more progressive states that have, to some level, opened their doors to shipping container homes. Texas already plays host to many container homes. Even though California is known for its red tape, it has been open to container homes and hybrid container homes. Louisana and Tennessee experience some of the most lenient and forward-thinking zoning regulations in the United States. As alternative living options continue to grow, it's only a matter of time before more states in the country begin to allow shipping container homes in designated areas.
How Much Are Shipping Container Homes?
So what will a shipping container home cost? Smaller, more basic container homes can range between $10,000 to $35,000. Large homes built with multiple shipping containers and amenities can range in price from $100,000 to $175,000. Shipping container homes, in some cases, can cost half as much per square foot than traditional stick building. However, it isn't easy to compare apples to apples, and there are many factors to consider.
So what can increase the cost? While land costs and climate requirements are significant considerations, it can also depend on many factors, including:
- Size, layout, design, and the number of containers required
- Welding and Fabrication requirements
- Cleaning cost if the container is used
- Plumbing and electrical
- Siding
- Flooring
- Kitchen and bathroom finishes
- Lofts
- Windows
- Doors
- Insulation
- and more.
There is a report of a simple shipping container home self-built by an engineer in Canada for only $20,000. But a pre-manufactured container home has a price tag that looks more like a regular home.
How Long Does A Shipping Container Home Last?
Shipping container homes should last at least 25 years but will last much longer if they are well maintained or if you use siding to protect the exterior. Rust is the single most common issue that can reduce the lifespan of a shipping container home. It's important to inspect your shipping container home and look for rust spots. Any problematic areas should be treated and repaired to reduce the chance of rust spreading.
Do Shipping Container Homes Rust?
Since shipping container homes are made out of metal, there is the possibility that they may rust. Some shipping containers are initially manufactured with alloys, a process commonly referred to as weathering steel or corten steel, which helps to form a surface level of rust that mitigates further corrosion. The climate where the container is located factors into whether a shipping container home will rust as wet and dry climates affect shipping containers differently.
Do Shipping Container Homes Hold Value?
A well-maintained shipping container home can retain its resale value much like a traditional home. They're relatively easy to resell since they can be loaded onto a truck and shipped almost anywhere. Before purchasing, you may want to inquire as to whether the shipping container home was manufactured for your climate and, if not, inquire as to the modifications you may need to make so that it's appropriate for its intended location.
Image courtesy of Honomobo
Here is one example. Honomobo is a builder of pre-designed, factory-built container homes based in Edmonton, Canada. They create homes using one to eight containers with high-quality finishes. Their largest model, HO8, is a two-story home with just over square feet of floor area.
NOTES: All prices are approximate, based on available data. The land is not included in this comparison and is assumed to be the same for both.
*Posted price from Honomobo.
**Estimated $220 per square foot construction cost in Canada, not including land or foundation.
***Estimated $1.30 per km per container for shipping, considering Edmonton (Canada) to Winnipeg (Canada) ( km).
Image courtesy of Honomobo.
You might love to have a container home because you like the idea, the look, the chance to play with blocks in a DIY design, or the quick delivery time for a manufactured model. But don&#;t assume it will cost less or that it&#;s necessarily more environmentally sustainable.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a product endorsement however Rise does reserve the right to recommend relevant products based on the articles content to provide a more comprehensive experience for the reader.
Last Modified: -08-23T12:45:59+
Article by:
Luke Hunter
The use of shipping containers in home design and construction has been on an upswing. A report estimates the global market size for shipping container construction will reach $73,070.5 million by , up from $44,788.6 million in . That&#;s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from to .
Not too shabby.
This surge of shipping container architecture is well documented in the public eye.
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Among countless construction-related TV shows, and YouTube videos on the subject, we&#;ve seen everything from prefab shops pushing out custom designs to pre-used shipping containers finding a new purpose&#;in keeping with the &#;reuse, reduce, recycle&#; sustainable construction mantra. Through these stories, we can live vicariously as environmentally conscious home buyers with the means and determination live simply and off-grid. We can even turn to some of the best construction video games, like The Sims &#;eco lifestyle,&#; to find striking shipping container designs amid entertaining, hands-on gameplay, and simultaneously meld environmental perseverance with inspired architectural eclecticism.
Despite being quite compelling in theory, in practice shipping container construction raises some important questions. We will answer each of these important questions throughout this article:
- Is it cheaper to build a house or a container home?
- Are container homes safe?
- What are the pros and cons of building a shipping container home?
- How long do container homes last?
- How might you incorporate shipping containers and prefab into your builds?
Is It Cheaper to Build a House or a Container Home
?
The question on everyone&#;s mind: Are container homes cheaper than traditional houses?
At face value, yes. But there are plenty of factors that could drive the price of a container house to be similarly priced with a traditional house, and in some cases even more.
For reference, Forbes estimates the average cost to build a house to be $300k, excluding the cost of land. Similarly, Realtor quotes $296,652, and Rocket Mortgage quotes $290,314 with the national average for the absolute lowest being $15k and the high being $750k per Home Advisor (via Rocket Mortgage).
So, how much do shipping container homes cost?
Purchasing a used or recycled shipping container will set you back around $1,500-$5,000 on average, though the cost of a container may widely vary depending on your geographical location, the condition of the container, size requirements, modifications, and delivery cost.
By contrast to traditional houses, completed shipping container homes cost far less than a traditional home, typically ranging between $10k and $35k, and a far cry from the average $300k of building a traditional home; however, there are many factors that could lead container house to a ballooning budget and the dreaded cost overrun, such as modifications and structural engineering necessary to make a highly modified container home structurally sound (and we&#;ll discuss this a bit later).
On the other hand, an even more cost-effective solution may soon be a 3D-printed home.
Are Container Homes Safe
?
From a structural standpoint, shipping containers (in their existing state) are made from strong industrial materials, making them very strong and able to withstand harsh offshore weather conditions.
This, of course, changes when you start cutting holes in them.
However, the more pressing safety issue that presents itself with using recycled shipping containers as building materials is the very real possibility they&#;ve transported toxic chemicals in their former life. To avert this unknown entirely, you can opt to purchase a single-use shipping container; that way, you&#;ll be able to more precisely verify where the shipping container has been, and what it&#;s transported.
Pros and Cons of
Building a Shipping Container Home
Building a container home purely out of recycled shipping containers may be more of an uphill battle than what meets the eye. Despite having the mystique of sustainability, clients seeking this kind of build may be unaware of certain illuminating factors, like how insulating a shipping container will typically be more effective when using a less eco-friendly method such as spray foam over more sustainable options like recycled cotton or wool insulation.
It&#;s worth noting that other offsite construction methods like modular construction may deliver on client needs with a greater degree of customization.
Pros of Shipping Container Homes
- Cost-Effective, to a degree: Provided that you are building a relatively simple shipping container home, the cost will be generally much lower than building a traditional home from the ground up. As we discussed previously, you can, on average, source a pre-used shipping container for around $3,250. Adding the cost of land, say $3,160 for an acre (reported in the United States Department of Agriculture August report), and labor costs and architectural drawings, that&#;s still a far cry from the above-mentioned $300k. However, it&#;s important to note there are many variables that may drive this initial price through the roof (which we&#;ll discuss more in the below &#;cons&#; section). Going with a prefab shipping container home over a recycled shipping container home can offer clients additional benefits of what you would expect with prefab: predictable costs, in-factory installation (quality control), onsite delivery and preparation, etc.
- Faster build times: Similar to prefabricated construction, building a house with a shipping container can take as few as a couple days to construct modest designs or months to piece together more intricate builds, still a far cry from doing it the old fashioned way. An important thing to keep in mind: Working with a prefab shop versus sourcing perused shipping containers, while not necessarily in line with that &#;reuse, reduce, recycle&#; mentality in a literal sense of giving a windswept shipping container a new life, can help solve some of the issues we&#;ll discuss below that shipping containers pose, such as health risks and QA concerns.
Cons of Shipping Container Homes
Belinda Carr, a YouTuber, architect, and building scientist, outlines in her video titled &#;7 reasons why shipping container homes are a SCAM&#; the general problems with creating a home out of a shipping container:
Size constraints
: Standard shipping containers come in two sizes. Smaller shipping containers measure 20 ft long, 8 ft wide, and 8.5 feet tall, while larger shipping containers measure 40 ft long, 8 ft wide, and 8.5 ft tall. While you
can
custom order taller 9.5 ft tall shipping containers, Carr notes the modifications needed to make a shipping container livable significantly cut into the living space available in what&#;s already so narrow and awkward: adding insulation, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical systems, sprinklers, and flooring.
- Possible structural problems: Shipping containers are structurally sound in their existing state. But when cuts are made&#;to add doors, windows, roof openings and skylights, large hollows to conjoin multiple containers, etc.&#;the original strength of the shipping container becomes compromised. Clients seeking a container build, thus, should be made aware that reinforcements with metal or wood will need to be made, and necessary framing with traditional drywall will significantly cut into the overall living space.
- Expensive reinforcements if adding cantilevers: The most inspired of shipping container architecture solves the inherent size constraints of building with these narrow modules by bridging multiple shipping containers together in unique configurations that maximize space and adding balconies and wrap-around porches that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. While certainly inspiring, accomplishing these novel architectural feats naturally come with expensive steel reinforcing beams. Prospective clients selecting shipping containers purely as an &#;affordable alternative&#; to traditional building should thus be made aware of the limited space and architectural customization of a shipping container build.
- Thermal conductivity of steel: As Carr notes, steel is not a good insulator, thus when using corrugated metal shipping containers as your primary structure, you&#;ll likely want to insulate the outside of the shipping container and add cladding to avoid mold and rot.
- Health risks with buying old shipping containers: If you&#;re buying a pre-used shipping container for your build, tracking down where it&#;s been may be a challenge, and you won&#;t necessarily know if it was used to carry general consumer goods or toxic chemicals that could cause a health risk. Carr notes that some states like California only allow one-use containers for residential reuse, so you can verify what has been transported in the shipping container. Heavy duty paints on the exterior of the shipping container, she adds, which are added to withstand harsh ocean conditions, contain carcinogenic elements like phosphorus and chromium.
- Cost to transport, depending on the location, may not be logical, especially considering that building with native materials is &#;the most eco-friendly and cost-effective method.&#;
How Long Do Container Homes Last
?
According to All States Containers, the average life of a container is 25 years with minimal maintenance.
The main problem impacting the longevity of a shipping container home is rust. This could be addressed by adding external cladding, which as discussed above, can also help to insulate and protect against mold.
While the materials used to build a house ultimately help to impact its overall longevity&#;just as the legendary fable taught us that brick withstands wilder external forces than straw&#;user input is also important and maintaining a home, regardless of whether it&#;s made with traditional materials or shipping containers, will require a certain degree of continuous maintenance.
Which States Allow Shipping Container Homes
?
All states technically allow shipping container homes. You&#;ll want to see your state and specific area zoning requirements with regard to building a shipping container home to ensure compliance.
California, for example as previously discussed, allows the use of shipping containers as a building material, but they stipulate ONLY single-use containers to be used.
Beside California, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, and Alaska are among the states that have a more lenient stance toward container homes. For a more complete list, YoungAlfred.com notes the states with &#;more lenient&#; zoning laws or &#;non-restrictive&#; building codes.
How Can Shipping Containers and Prefab Be Used in Your Projects?
Despite being relatively easy to transport by trailer bed, Belinda Carr notes that it might make the most sense to use recycled shipping containers &#;in coastal regions near port cities where shipping containers are readily available.&#; They may similarly be useful in areas where material shortages are common, or areas that are recovering from a natural disaster.
Working with prefab, or even better modular prefab, may drive the kind of outcomes your clients are looking for and provide even better sustainability outcomes.
Additionally compelling applications for this type of construction material may be explored on Hulu with Impossible Builds, where engineered &#;kit&#; houses are delivered to particularly challenging sites, like mountainous regions with harsh storms and intermittent, quickly waning opportunities to build.
Bottom Line:
Do Shipping Containers Make Good Houses
?
Are container homes worth it?
Of course!
As with any home, what you put into it is what you&#;ll get out of it. If homebuyers are simply after a more cost-effective solution, they can potentially achieve these ends through building a modest container home, quite possibly a &#;tiny home.&#; Additional modifications can drive the price to make the container livable and, if intricately designed, structurally sound.
Surely, container homes represent a unique architecture trend that will continue to inspire designers, engineers, and builders to incorporate various materials to design the most innovative and thought-provoking of projects.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Expandable Container House. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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