At present,
as an alternative of conventional houses, you can build a house out of large
metal shipping containers that have outlived their original purpose. You know,
used shipping containers are stacking up all over the world, especially in
those developed countries. As a result, some wise manufacturers began to
provide shipping Container Houses that constructed by recycled shipping
containers. By doing so, it not only resolved the problem of the stacked
containers, but also the poorer people, who cannot own a house before, can
afford a house, because most shipping container houses are much cheaper than
traditional houses.

Generally,
most shipping containers come in a standard width and height: 8 feet wide by 8
feet 6 inches high, and either 20 feet or 40 feet in length. You may also find
some shipping containers that are 45 feet, 48 feet or 53 feet long.

Shipping
container frames are made of tubular steel, built to withstand the stress of
stacking up to ten containers in height. Their corrugated steel skins resist
the harsh environments of the open decks of the huge transport ships. In many
cases, containers have floors made of 18-ply marine plywood.

To own a
shipping container house, you’ll need to plan the number of containers for your
design. After all, a single container doesn’t contain much space, so plan to
use more than one container in your house design. Think of your house design as
a collection of containers, perhaps placed side-by-side, two stacked on top of
two others, mixed 20-foot and 40-foot containers, a cantilevered second floor,
etc. The combinations are nearly endless.

Look for
architects and designers who are specializing in working with container
designs. Some architects are able to transform the used shipping containers
into attractive houses, office buildings, and even apartment houses and
shopping areas. Study the work of these designers and you’ll get plenty of
ideas for your own house design based on shipping containers.

Check local
building codes to ensure you can get permits for such an unconventional
structure before you get too far into the project. Because shipping container
houses are not acceptable in some places. So check first, then you can feel
free to plan your dreamy home.

Besides,
remember that you should not plan to set your shipping container house on the
bare earth. Over time, moisture could corrode the metal. The containers
themselves are not particularly heavy, but you will need to have a solid
foundation. Some architects have worked with poles anchored in cement footings,
while others have opted for more conventional concrete slabs. However,
basements in container housing designs are not common.

Additionally,
use a crane to hoist the individual components into position. Remember that,
while the steel skeleton of a shipping container can support heavy loads, the
same is not necessarily true of the metal skin. Some home builders have
reported buckled container roofs from the weight of fairly light snow loads.
Thus you may need to design a standard truss roof over the top of your
container or design other methods of spreading such loads.