11 Tips You Should Know Before Building a Container Building
In recent years, one of the most important trends in sustainable design has been reusing shipping containers to build a structure. Because of their convenient size, shipping containers suit residential use well. Their appeal lies in simplicity: you receive container modules one by one, then stack them to create multiple interior rooms, or join them to form larger spaces.
Of course, it is not that simple. Building with containers still brings challenges—especially because the idea is relatively new, so professionals who can deliver reliable work in this field remain limited. That is why people on the Container Home Project consulted 23 experts from around the world—designers and owners who had already overcome building their own container homes—and asked what they wished they had known before taking on the challenge. Take a break and look at these 11 tips with us.
- Make sure you see the containers you buy
"I especially regret not inspecting the containers in person before buying—I trusted the company's marketing that said quality and style were excellent. It turned out to be false."
- Or spend a little more on one-trip containers
"I wish I had known that one-trip containers do not cost much more, and they are essentially like new."
- Study your local regulations carefully
"Every country has its own rules and standards, which means a container home in China will not look the same as one in the United States. Most people do not think of this: containers are a universal product, but climate, fire codes, and other requirements are not the same..."
- Find a contractor who can handle everything
"If we could change one thing, it would be hiring one contractor to manage the entire fabrication process, instead of using one contractor to source and modify the containers and another to finish the interior fit-out."
- Know your container market
"I wish I had known that some containers are taller than 8 feet."
- Understand container structure
"I think it is very important to understand how their structure works as a system—the two long walls are both load-bearing and bracing, so if you cut an opening in them you need to compensate for it."
- Do not expect to save a huge amount of money
"I wish I had known that the cost of stacking containers into a house is comparable to building a conventional house."
- Minimize the welding required
"Welding takes a long time and is expensive, so keep it to a minimum."
- Know how to insulate
"I wish I had known how to insulate a container. We ended up welding elements to the walls and then spray-applying foam fire-rated insulation."
"We wish we had known that in cold countries, first of all, you need proper insulation to prevent condensation."
- Plan plumbing in advance
"One thing that makes a big difference is installing the plumbing system in the container floor and ceiling before assembly; managing the pipes becomes much easier."
- Have a strategy for wind
"We did not expect so much wind on site, and now we have to use plants to break the wind, because the container body makes noise when there is a lot of wind."
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