Hello dear homebuilding community,
I have been browsing your very interesting forum and realized there is a lot to learn, so I registered right away.
After searching unsuccessfully for a suitable condominium for 2 years, we gave up and now want to take on the adventure of building a house. Apart from the search for a plot of land, we are looking for the right house design concept — solid construction, prefabricated, and so on.
A newspaper article brought a young local company to our attention that offers houses made from shipping containers. The (partly rusty) containers are placed on a concrete slab foundation, stacked either on top of or next to each other. Beams are attached inside and outside, with an exterior sheathing similar to a type of particleboard and drywall on the inside. The cavities are filled with thick insulation wool.
One container measures 13 x 2.50 m (43 x 8 ft). We plan to place four side by side, essentially as a bungalow with around 120 sqm (1,300 sq ft) of living space. The interior walls will be removed, and the containers permanently welded together with necessary supports added. The container itself acts as the shell or frame. Underfloor heating with a heat pump, mechanical ventilation, and a photovoltaic system are intended to complete the setup as an energy-efficient solution.
The supplier claims the metal sheet acts as the best vapor barrier??? It sounds very interesting, but I still have major concerns. The exterior facade (particleboard) would be painted with a special marine paint — how durable is that? What happens if the roof leaks? It might be barely noticeable as long as the metal hasn’t rusted through — so many questions. There is no long-term experience with these types of buildings yet. Price-wise, it should be slightly cheaper than solid construction, though the house itself is less expensive; however, the state-of-the-art building services almost eliminate the price difference.
What do you think? Has anyone perhaps heard of this concept before?
The last picture is a rendering of the finished project.
Best regards,
Frank
I have been browsing your very interesting forum and realized there is a lot to learn, so I registered right away.
After searching unsuccessfully for a suitable condominium for 2 years, we gave up and now want to take on the adventure of building a house. Apart from the search for a plot of land, we are looking for the right house design concept — solid construction, prefabricated, and so on.
A newspaper article brought a young local company to our attention that offers houses made from shipping containers. The (partly rusty) containers are placed on a concrete slab foundation, stacked either on top of or next to each other. Beams are attached inside and outside, with an exterior sheathing similar to a type of particleboard and drywall on the inside. The cavities are filled with thick insulation wool.
One container measures 13 x 2.50 m (43 x 8 ft). We plan to place four side by side, essentially as a bungalow with around 120 sqm (1,300 sq ft) of living space. The interior walls will be removed, and the containers permanently welded together with necessary supports added. The container itself acts as the shell or frame. Underfloor heating with a heat pump, mechanical ventilation, and a photovoltaic system are intended to complete the setup as an energy-efficient solution.
The supplier claims the metal sheet acts as the best vapor barrier??? It sounds very interesting, but I still have major concerns. The exterior facade (particleboard) would be painted with a special marine paint — how durable is that? What happens if the roof leaks? It might be barely noticeable as long as the metal hasn’t rusted through — so many questions. There is no long-term experience with these types of buildings yet. Price-wise, it should be slightly cheaper than solid construction, though the house itself is less expensive; however, the state-of-the-art building services almost eliminate the price difference.
What do you think? Has anyone perhaps heard of this concept before?
The last picture is a rendering of the finished project.
Best regards,
Frank
The exterior height of the container is 250 cm (98 inches), with a maximum interior height of 230 cm (91 inches), plus underfloor heating and screed. At least dwarfs won’t feel claustrophobic with that ceiling height...
If a 40' high cube container is used, approximately 25 cm (10 inches) is added, which is still not a problem.
If a 40' high cube container is used, approximately 25 cm (10 inches) is added, which is still not a problem.
So the height would really bother me... and probably also the sound transmission... which such a metal structure usually causes... unless there is a huge amount of insulation everywhere...
Then there is also the fact that in summer these parts probably heat up very quickly... and in winter cool down just as fast, so you are basically heating the outside... it’s the same in a car... once the engine is off, it gets cold pretty fast...
Then there is also the fact that in summer these parts probably heat up very quickly... and in winter cool down just as fast, so you are basically heating the outside... it’s the same in a car... once the engine is off, it gets cold pretty fast...
D
DerBjoern7 Apr 2014 09:08I’m not familiar with the prices, but I suspect that with all the effort involved, a conventional house wouldn’t be more expensive...
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