3 Container House Projects that are hard to believe
Shipping containers are sturdy steel boxes that range from 8 feet to 40 feet in length. No one knows exactly when these containers went from storage boxes to housing units, office spaces, bug out shelters, passion projects, etc. All we know is that shipping containers are practical, versatile and fun. This article talks about people who own container houses and why they got into it in the first place.
Mark the Prepper
The thing that attracted Mark to shipping containers is its sturdy construction. Most of it is made up of corrugated steel sheets 14-gauge high strength low alloy steel. This is enough to stop a 22-long rifle, shotgun rounds or a 9 mm hollow point. Of course, full metal jackets will pierce through, but with several reinforcements, Mark says, even fully automatic bullets can be stopped.
Mark’s second project is to bury shipping containers at secret locations in his lot, add a secret entrance and stash caches of food, water, medicine, clothes and of course, guns & ammo.
Tip: rust proofing is a must, because rust can damage the integrity of prepper container houses and contaminate the contents inside. Most bug out shelters can be left bare, with minimal creature comforts. All you really need is to keep it secure and fill it with food, water and other important provisions.
Minerva from London
London apartments cost a lot. In fact, as of June 2018 the average rent for a 2-bedroom flat is £1,350 per month. Why choose a two-bedroom unit? Because it is cheaper to rent a 2-bedroom apartment and find a flat mate who’ll share the rent with you. The problem is, finding a flat mate is like a box of chocolates… you never know who you’re gonna get! BTW, your initial cash out usually includes 1 month’s rent, 1 month’s deposit and 1 month’s advance.
So, Jenny decided to purchase a trailer bed, a shipping container and hire professionals to convert the interior into a minimalist tiny home. Nothing fancy, just the basic repaint, heating, floor boards, kitchen, toilet and bath. Total cost was a little over £10,000.
Daniel the Weekend Warrior
Daniel lives in Flagstaff and bought a piece of land that overlooked the mountains of Northern Arizona. He wants to build a weekend home with a self-sustaining farm, but he blew all his budget purchasing the land. He bought a shipping container as a place to store all his camping and farming gear when he went back to the city on weekdays. It did not take him long to realize the potential. What started as 1 8-foot shipping container that served as a storage unit, eventually became 3, positioned in an L shape. Two 40 feet containers serve as his container houses. The third, which was originally the storage shed, became an out-house.
Dan says that he plans on expanding. Since storage containers pretty much have the same height and width, they can be stacked or placed alongside each other to form bigger modular structures. All you really need is some creativity and patience. It does not hurt to hire professionals to install basic creature comforts.
Important Points to Remember
Whatever you plan to do with a shipping container, do your research first. This can save you a lot of time, money and effort. Below are a few points to remember:
Know your local laws and regulations i.e. housing, safety, fire, sanitation, etc.
Don’t skimp out on basic needs like heating, plumbing, proper ventilation, etc.
Rust proofing inside and out is a must.
Check for structural integrity. If it is leaning on one side or the support beams are bent or rusted, look for another container.
Always consider the transportation cost of container houses.