Does anyone know anything about renovating shipping containers as living spaces?

[DrPizza]

I cannot figure out how it would be cheaper than going with a traditionally built structure. If you compare apples to apples (same size structure, built on the same lot, same number of windows, either both built by a contractor or both built by self, same degree of insulation, same number of electrical outlets, same all the other amenities ), I'm even skeptical that you could do it cheaper with shipping containers.

It's more of a fad for yuppy "I'm going to go green, reuse, recycle everything" idiots.

 

[Jimzz]

I cannot figure out how it would be cheaper than going with a traditionally built structure. If you compare apples to apples (same size structure, built on the same lot, same number of windows, either both built by a contractor or both built by self), I'm even skeptical that you could do it cheaper with shipping containers.

It's more of a fad for yuppy "I'm going to go green, reuse, recycle everything" idiots.

I think it comes out cheaper in some places as old used shipping containers are very cheap. That and no brace panels, supports, etc... are needed for the steel wall so easier to inspect and pass code in some areas.

Comes down to where you live and all cost involved, including time as well.

 

[JTsyo]

http://zigloo.ca/zigloo_domestique_hd/

I believe the structure in the link above cost more than $200K (possibly close to $300K) to built in expensive Victoria/Canada. The property ended up costing well over $600K on completion.

The link below suggested that it cost $150 on the low side and average of $180 per sq foot which is inline with regular spec home.

http://zigloo.ca/flw-container-house/

WTF chain linked fence inside for a banister? The rest looks OK.

 

[T9D]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2286323

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=287322

http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/11/22/pf-shipping-container-home.cnnmoney/

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entry-7455?ModPagespeed=noscript

http://www.city-data.com/forum/house/1045877-shipping-container-

http://archinect.com/forum/thread/33636/shipping-container-homes

http://www.shippingcontainerforum.com is a great domain but forums are pretty dead.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/shipping-container-homes/48466/page1/

http://dornob.com/diy-used-cargo-homes-shipping-container-house-plans/

http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/five-inspirational-shipping-container-homes

LOL in one of those old threads:

Calling fluffy baby bunny

 

[sonambulo]

I looked into this very seriously for quite some time...as if that means anything. Even spent a few nights living in one to check it out. Shipping container homes are a nice idea in theory but they have quite a few drawbacks as previously mentioned.

What you're really in love with are three main points. They're cheap, they offer a kind of forced minimalism, and they 'Bauhausian' architecture looks beautiful in all the press shots. All great ideas but you're better off going with a stick (ie traditionally built) house.

Aside from the drawbacks listed earlier in the thread, shipping container houses just plain suck to live in. The ceilings are low, they conduct a lot of sound and everything is NOT engineered to be in there. Unless you import hardware/appliances from Japan then you'll feel pretty damn cramped.

What's the reason you really want to do this? The cheap living, the clean architecture or the minimal footprint?