Is Flooring Suitable for Container Houses?
It is feasible to use flooring in container houses, and there are various types of flooring available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
I. Common Flooring Types and Their Characteristics
Tile Flooring: A common technique used in early container houses, where corrugated tiles are laid on the bottom frame beams and then covered with cement mortar to lay tiles. Advantages include personalized colors, aesthetic appeal, easy maintenance, a lower center of gravity after increased self-weight, strong wind resistance, and a lifespan of 4-10 years. Disadvantages include a long laying time (requiring at least two days for the cement to dry), high labor costs, and quality affected by the craftsmanship of the tile layer.
Wooden/Bamboo Plywood Flooring: Divided into thick wooden planks for cargo containers and construction templates (1.5-2mm thick). Advantages include low cost, fast construction period, and easy replacement. Disadvantages include light self-weight, susceptibility to moisture and deformation, non-fire resistance, and vulnerability to insects.
Cement Board/Magnesium Oxide Board Flooring: Typically sized at 2.91.88 meters, laid in 36 meter containers. Advantages include extremely low cost, fire resistance, fast construction period, and easy replacement. Disadvantages include the potential for the floor to emit halogens and corrode the bottom structure, and poor-quality boards may puncture or collapse over large areas.
Fiber Cement Board Flooring: Made by adding mineral fibers and other reinforcing materials to cement, it has fire resistance, moisture resistance, heat insulation, and sound insulation functions, as well as being lightweight, strong, easy to construct, and having a long lifespan.
II. Flooring Selection Recommendations
High-end Scenarios: For homestays or self-occupancy, wooden flooring or tiles can be chosen to enhance the decorative quality and living comfort, but attention should be paid to cost and maintenance issues.
Temporary or Construction Site Dormitories: Cement boards or magnesium oxide boards can be selected for their low cost and fast construction period, meeting basic usage needs.
Special Requirements: For fire resistance or moisture resistance, fiber cement boards are an ideal choice.
