Disadvantages of Modular Container Houses
The main disadvantages of modular container houses include inadequate sound insulation and thermal insulation performance, as well as limited internal space.
Inadequate sound insulation and thermal insulation performance is one of the more prominent issues with modular container houses. From the perspective of thermal insulation, due to differences in product materials, the thermal insulation effect of low-end products is difficult to guarantee. The walls of container houses are usually relatively thin. If low-quality thermal insulation materials are used, in cold or hot environments, the indoor temperature is easily affected by the outside, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced living comfort. To achieve better thermal insulation performance, it is necessary to choose products from manufacturers with quality guarantees, but the prices of such products are usually about twice those of low-end products, which undoubtedly increases construction costs. In terms of sound insulation performance, the metal materials of container houses have relatively good sound transmission effects. External noise can easily enter the interior, and indoor sounds can also easily escape, which may cause interference to the occupants' lives. For example, in areas with heavy traffic, the noise generated by vehicle movement may seriously affect the rest and work of indoor personnel. To reduce noise interference, additional sound insulation treatments may be required, such as installing sound insulation panels and sealing doors and windows, which will further increase costs and construction difficulty.
Limited internal space is also an obvious disadvantage of modular container houses. The size of containers is fixed, and their internal space is relatively small and regularly shaped, which to some extent limits the layout and functional design of the houses. Taking the temporary accommodation area at the Nagoya Asian Games as an example, the bed length is about 1.95 meters. For basketball players over two meters tall, such a bed length is too cramped and cannot meet their basic needs. In addition, when setting up functional areas such as bathrooms and kitchens in container houses, many challenges will be faced due to limited space, such as difficulties in equipment installation and inconvenience in use. Moreover, when it is necessary to renovate or expand the houses, due to the structural characteristics of containers, the operation is relatively complex and the cost is high.
