Build.com For Pros: Container Home Guide

The idea of living in a shipping container hasn't always been everybody's cup of tea. Today, more and more people are embracing container homes and the unique design style they bring to the table.

More and more prefab container homes are popping up on the market, making it easier than ever before for buyers to embrace this lifestyle. They offer a range of benefits like quick build time, the ability to build almost anywhere, and easy transport. Container homes can be cost-effective when compared to traditional homes.

That doesn't mean they don't come without a specific set of challenges. Learn more about what to keep in mind when considering a container home build or design project.

Create a Container Home Design Plan

When creating container homes, plans can vary dramatically depending on your ideal setup. A home designed for a family is certainly very different than a space that functions as a live-work setup for a single individual or couple. The most important thing is having a container home interior design plan in place well before you start finishing and furnishing a space.

Here are a few tips to help you develop a plan before the buying and building process:

• Create a budget. Like buying a home or building a traditional house from the ground up, few people have an endless budget. Container homes can be cost-effective, but construction costs can rise quickly if you don't have a plan going in.
• Make a list of what matters for the build. What is the goal for the build? Is the client looking for a property that's a true architectural standout? Is the container home intended to be a cost-effective family home solution? Having an end-game from the start is extremely helpful.
• Decide on an ideal home size. How many square feet will be needed to create the home? This will impact how many containers are used to build the final space, as well as the configuration.
• Know the lot size. Where a container home is going to be placed may impact the final layout and overall design.
• Don't forget about interior design. It's easy to get wrapped up in architectural details and the façade of a container home. On the inside, however, shipping containers don't usually make for an ideal space. Decide on an interior style early and plan for the materials and costs associated with creating a container home designed for day-to-day life and activities.

Regulations and Permits

The location, planned use, and design of a container home will be held to the same applicable International Building Code (IBC) standards, as well as state and local laws and regulations, as would be applied to any other permanent housing. This includes zoning and deed restrictions, HOA rules, and all associated permit processes. 

How a container home is used has a role in the building requirements it is subject to. For instance, a container home will be required to meet the housing code standards that a backyard shipping container storage unit would not. Other factors must be documented and verified as within regulations. Project details such as the height and length of the container are subject to the same regulations as any modular home or new construction. 

Some state and local regulations require home builds utilize only new containers. New containers will be more structurally sound, with no wear and tear from use, and will not have been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals during shipping. As with the documentation required of a normal home build, this offers a more accurate history of the building materials used, from the steel quality, hazardous exposure risks, and even the type of paint.

While any container home attached to a permanent foundation is federally considered the same as a modular home or new construction site, each local jurisdiction will be subject to their own regulations. The best way to save time and money on a container home project is to research the codes that apply to this emerging market in your area. 

• Know the location, size, materials, and intended use of the project to determine what type of container build it will be considered by the regulations. 
• Research the codes and requirements governing the intended location. 
• Find out if any other container home projects like your clients’ have gone through the permit process in the area. 

Expedite the permits by providing plans and photos of any already completed container projects in the area to clear up any confusion as to exactly what type of container home your client is planning.

Consider One-Trip Containers

The used shipping container market can be a tricky one to navigate to ensure superior materials for client homes. Choosing quality containers can make the process of building a home considerably easier by reducing the amount of repair work required upfront. 

Older containers may be salvageable, but they can create a lot more headaches than one might imagine. While a dented or dinged corner may not matter much when shipping cargo across the world, it's much more noticeable  —  and potentially problematic  —  when that damaged corner becomes part of a home's façade. Rust is also a serious concern when you're dealing with well-worn shipping containers. 

Even experienced builders find themselves searching the world over for containers that can be combined to build the ideal home for a client. One-trip containers are those containers that have made only one voyage on a shipping vessel. They tend to be more expensive than containers with more use, but the benefit is that one-trip containers are a lot less likely to have damage that needs to be repaired.

Pay Attention to Insulation

Though shipping containers are made of hard, ultra-durable materials, they're designed for cargo, not people. Repurposing a shipping container, or multiple shipping containers in most cases, means turning industrial materials into something people can actually live in. That's why proper insulation is a must, particularly if you're building for a very cold climate.

When considering insulation, climate is a key factor. A home in Southern California has different requirements in terms of insulation than what is needed in Manitoba, Canada. Some prefab container homes come pre-insulated, but you'll need to make sure they're equipped for their final destination.

In many container homes, a mixture of insulation types will work best. For example, closed-cell polyurethane spray foam is commonly used on the roof. However, this type of insulation may work for use on the whole container-home build. 

Rock wool blankets are regularly used under containers. Other flooring insulation options include open-cell polyurethane foam, fiberglass, cotton, and sheep's wool. Non-traditional materials like straw bales and hemp may also be helpful.

Container Homes Require Compact Appliances

Appliances make up a big part of any new home build, especially in the kitchen. Container homes may not lend themselves to oversized options, but there’s no need to skip the chef's kitchen entirely. Instead, find a set of compact appliances that are the right scale for a container home.

Additional ideas for compact container home appliances:

• For the most important home appliances, research compact ranges and compact refrigeration options. 
• Items like microwaves and toaster ovens can be scaled down to fit container home designs.
• Outside of the kitchen, compact laundry machines can help ensure that even the smallest spaces are family-friendly and fully-functional.

Creating a home from shipping containers can be cost-effective, creative, and produce truly spectacular results in terms of overall style and design. The design and building process is quite different than a traditional property job. Making a thorough plan before taking action can prevent choosing containers that won't work for the build and keep the project on budget, from start to finish.