How to Make a Container House

Making a container house involves five core steps: selection, ground preparation, structural modification and reinforcement, interior decoration, and installation and commissioning:

1. Selection Phase Choose the structural type based on the usage scenario:

• Welded Integral Container: Factory-welded as a whole, it has strong resistance to deformation and is suitable for scenarios requiring frequent lifting and movement (such as construction sites).
• Bolted Modular Container: Assembled from standard panels using bolts, it offers high flexibility. However, it is essential to focus on checking the steel wall thickness of the columns and bottom beams (recommended 1.5-3 millimeters), as thicker walls provide stronger load-bearing capacity. Additionally, pay attention to the container's coating process. Hot-dip galvanizing offers significantly longer corrosion resistance than cold-dip galvanizing, especially in areas with large temperature variations between day and night and high humidity.

2. Ground Preparation The bottom beams of containers have a small contact area with the ground, necessitating a uniform load-bearing foundation:

• Long-term Use: Pour a concrete strip foundation (width 30-50 centimeters, depth adjusted according to the frost line), with a horizontal error on the foundation top surface not exceeding 5 millimeters.
• Short-term Use: Use prefabricated concrete blocks or steel pads, spaced no more than 2 meters apart, with a crushed stone leveling layer beneath. Direct placement on soft soil can lead to uneven settlement of the container, causing issues such as door and window deformation and wall cracks.

3. Structural Modification and Reinforcement

• Space Expansion: Achieve functional zoning (such as living room, bedroom, bathroom) by connecting 2-3 containers or adopt a split-level design to improve ventilation and lighting.
• Load-bearing Reinforcement: Grind and apply epoxy primer and topcoat to cutting and welding areas to prevent rust. For irregular connections, add diagonal braces or connectors to ensure overall stability.
• Waterproofing: Use glass curtain wall waterproof sealant for container joints and around doors and windows (ordinary sealant's waterproof performance lasts only half a year). Regularly clean leaves from the roof gutter to prevent water accumulation and corrosion of the steel plate.

4. Interior Decoration

• Thermal Insulation: Lay rock wool, glass wool, or polyurethane sandwich panels on walls/roofs, use cement fiberboard or steel-wood composite flooring on the ground, and cover walls with metal panels or calcium silicate boards.
• Functional Configuration: Pre-embed water and electricity pipelines according to needs, install lighting, sockets, and reserved positions for air conditioner outdoor units. If a simple dining area is set up, add water supply and drainage pipelines and anti-slip flooring.
• Space Optimization: For small units, use multifunctional furniture such as folding beds and integrated cabinets to enhance space utilization.

5. Installation and Commissioning

• Lifting and Positioning: Use steel wire ropes with sufficient load-bearing capacity to ensure all lifting points are evenly stressed and avoid container distortion. After positioning, check the fit between the bottom beams and the foundation, with a horizontal error controlled within 2 millimeters per meter.
• Acceptance and Maintenance: Inspect welds, corners, and other rust-prone areas annually. In humid southern regions, reapply anti-corrosion coatings every 7-10 years, shortening the interval to 3-5 years in coastal areas. Replace sealant every 5-7 years.