Tiling in Container Mobile Houses

Container mobile houses can be tiled, but they must meet conditions such as structural load-bearing capacity, moisture-proof treatment, and a flat base layer, and targeted construction must be carried out in combination with the characteristics of container houses.

1. Structural Load-Bearing Capacity Needs to Be Assessed

The main body of a container mobile house is made of steel structure, and its load-bearing range must be clearly defined during design. If the original design does not take into account the additional load from tile paving (such as the weight of tiles, cement mortar, and people walking), structural deformation can be avoided by reinforcement or limiting tile specifications (such as choosing lightweight tiles). For example, some container houses are made of high-strength galvanized steel, which has strong load-bearing capacity and can support conventional tile paving; however, if they are second-hand or old containers, structural testing needs to be carried out in advance.

2. Moisture-Proof Treatment Is Crucial

The bottom part of a container that comes into contact with the ground is prone to moisture. If tiles are paved directly, it may lead to hollowing and detachment. Before construction, moisture-proof treatment of the internal ground of the container is required:

1. Base Layer Treatment: Remove debris from the original ground to ensure it is flat and dry;
2. Moisture-Proof Layer Installation: Apply waterproof coating or lay a moisture-proof membrane to block moisture penetration;
3. Cement Mortar Leveling: Pour cement mortar on the moisture-proof layer. The thickness should be uniform to avoid local depressions.

3. High Requirements for Base Layer Flatness

The ground of a container may undergo slight deformation during transportation or installation, and the flatness needs to be adjusted through a cement mortar leveling layer. If the flatness error exceeds 5mm, hollowing or cracking may occur after tile paving. During construction, a laser level can be used for detection, and the mortar can be scraped and applied multiple times for correction.

4. Tile Paving Process Needs to Be Adapted

1. Adhesive Selection: It is recommended to use a tile-specific adhesive, which has stronger bonding force than ordinary cement mortar and can adapt to the slight vibrations that may occur in container houses;
2. Joint Treatment: A gap of 1.5-2mm should be reserved between tiles to prevent extrusion and breakage due to temperature changes or slight structural deformation;
3. Edge Fixing: The junction between the container wall and the ground should be treated with a molding strip or sealant to prevent the edges of the tiles from lifting.

5. Special Scenarios Require Targeted Design

If a container mobile house needs to be moved frequently, the tile paving needs to consider impact resistance. For example, choosing small-sized tiles (such as 300×300mm) to reduce the weight of a single tile or using a flexible adhesive to enhance shock resistance. In addition, some high-end container houses adopt an elevated floor design, supporting the tiles with joists to further isolate moisture and improve comfort.