Is a Container House Cold in Winter?

Whether a container house is cold in winter depends on factors such as insulation measures and wall panel thickness. Reasonable design and renovation can achieve warm living conditions.

I. Insulation Weaknesses of Ordinary Standard Containers
Common ordinary standard containers on the market are mainly made of iron sheet structures, with high thermal conductivity of steel plates and no insulation layer, resulting in extremely poor insulation performance. In winter, if no insulation measures are taken, the indoor and outdoor temperatures change almost simultaneously. For example, when the outdoor temperature is -10℃, the indoor temperature may drop to -13℃ to -15℃; even if the outdoor temperature is -20℃, with only the addition of an insulation layer combined with a heating system, the indoor temperature can only be maintained at -10℃ to -14℃, and it may rise above 10℃ only if the heating system has sufficient power.

II. The Key Impact of Wall Panel Thickness on Insulation Performance
The insulation effects of container houses with different wall panel thicknesses vary significantly in winter:

1. Mild Cold Range (0℃ to 5℃):

   • 50mm wall panel container: The indoor-outdoor temperature difference is about 5℃ to 10℃. After closing doors and windows, the indoor temperature can be maintained at 5℃ to 10℃. It feels a bit cool but not significantly cold, and an electric heater can meet the needs of temporary living.
   • 75mm wall panel container: It has better insulation performance, with the indoor-outdoor temperature difference increased to 10℃ to 13℃. The temperature is stable at 10℃ to 13℃, and no additional heating is required for short stays.
   • 150mm wall panel container: Relying only on sunlight and human body heat dissipation, the indoor temperature can be maintained above 15℃, with a warm and non-stuffy feel.

2. Severe Cold Range (-5℃ to -10℃):

   • 50mm wall panel container: The indoor-outdoor temperature difference shrinks to about 8℃. The indoor temperature can only be maintained at 0℃ to -2℃. Condensation water appears on the inner side of the wall, and there is obvious air leakage through door and window gaps. Water pipes are prone to freeze and block at night, suitable only for short-term material storage.
   • 75mm wall panel container: Combined with thermal break aluminum double-glazed windows and sealing strips, the indoor temperature can be stabilized at 8℃ to 12℃. After installing a small air conditioner or floor heating, it can reach 18℃, meeting the needs of long-term stays.
   • 150mm wall panel container: Without additional heating, the indoor temperature can still be kept above 12℃. After turning on the heating equipment, the room temperature can rise to 20℃ to 22℃. There is no condensation or thermal bridge on the wall.

3. Extreme Cold Range (-20℃ to -30℃):

   • 50mm wall panel container: It is completely unsuitable for living. The indoor temperature drops below zero, and the metal container may even become brittle. It can only be used for temporary storage and requires anti-freezing measures.
   • 75mm wall panel container: It relies on high-power floor heating (with a power of not less than 80W/㎡) and whole-house sealing renovation to maintain the indoor temperature above 10℃. At the same time, it needs to be equipped with a roof snow-melting heating tape.
   • 150mm wall panel container: With a three-layer insulation structure combined with a floor heating system and a fresh air dehumidification device, the indoor temperature can be stabilized at 18℃ to 20℃. There is no frosting or mildew on the wall, and the roof snow load capacity meets the standard.

III. Renovation Measures to Improve Insulation Effects
Reasonable renovation can significantly improve the winter insulation performance of container houses:

• Adding an insulation layer: Attach insulation rock wool or polystyrene boards inside the container to block heat loss.
• Replacing doors and windows: Replace single-glazed windows with double-glazed or double-vacuum glazed windows to reduce cold air infiltration.
• Installing heating equipment: Equip with air conditioners, radiators, or floor heating systems to provide a continuous heat source.
• Sealing gaps: Add door frame sealing strips to prevent air leakage.
  For example, a company in Qiqihar used a container office. By adding 80mm rock wool boards, double-glazed windows, and a floor heating system, it maintained the indoor temperature above 20℃ in winter at -30℃.