Building a Container House Roof
Container-house roofs can be made in many ways; common options include adding a wood roof, building a green roof, and creating a container house with a rooftop terrace.
Adding a wood roof: A relatively traditional and simple approach. One couple bought a decade-plus-old container and renovated it themselves, including a wood roof that gives a warm, natural “new home” feel. Building it needs carpentry skill: choose qualified, corrosion-resistant timber, design and cut to the container’s size and shape, and ensure a stable structure that can take weight and weather.
Building a green roof:
- Structural support: A green roof adds weight, so add steel beams or wood framing inside the container to transfer loads to the four corner posts. For larger, thicker green roofs, have an engineer calculate capacity for safety.
- Layered roof build-up: Green roofs have a “sandwich” structure—in order, waterproof membrane (e.g., strong root-resistant EPDM), root barrier, drainage layer (gravel or special mats), filter fabric, lightweight soil, then plants. Each layer has a role: the membrane keeps water out of the box; the root barrier protects the membrane; drainage removes excess water; filter fabric holds soil; lightweight soil feeds plants.
- Plant choice: Prefer hardy, low-maintenance plants such as sedums and other succulents, or local grasses and wildflowers that thrive in tougher conditions and cut upkeep.
- Drainage design: Provide outlets or channels and place gravel around drain pipes so soil and roots do not clog them. Rainwater can also be collected in tanks for reuse to save water.
Building a container house with a rooftop terrace: Related videos show the full process of converting a shipping container into a rooftop-terrace home for low-cost luxury living. Plan terrace space and structure carefully for safety and practicality.
