Houses made from port containers. Container house projects. How to live in a container house

Many people know that shipping containers can be used to make warehouses, garages or sheds. But the fact that they can be used to build real multi-room and even multi-story comfortable housing will probably be news to someone.

However, this type of construction has long become popular in Europe and the USA, and more recently, houses made from containers, also called modular, are beginning to be in demand in Russia, as they solve the problem of building budget housing on a summer cottage.

Residential buildings made from containers

By building a house from containers (which you can do with your own hands), you can get a protected and fully habitable spacious country house for little money.

Sea containers of 20 and 40 feet are quite inexpensive, especially if we are talking about used products, and for this money the buyer purchases ready-made enclosing structures with a roof and plywood floor. At the same time, houses made from shipping containers do not need a powerful foundation; a columnar foundation is sufficient for them.

And if the housing is built from several containers, additional space will be created in it due to their spacing. In addition, with such construction a large field of activity is created for the implementation of creative ideas for home decoration.

Stages of building a house from shipping containers:

• Purchase of container(s).
• Creating a project for a future home, taking into account the passage of all communications.
• Laying the foundation.
• Anti-corrosion treatment of the container.
• Installing the container on the foundation. In the case of using several containers - welding them.
• External and internal finishing.

House projects

If it seems that a house made from a container will look extremely unesthetically pleasing, then this is not the case, and numerous projects of houses made from containers are proof of this. For example, from an ordinary 40-foot shipping container you can make a neat and nice guest house on your summer cottage. It is enough just to cut out sections in it and insert stained glass windows and sliding doors there, equip a small canopy, and decorate the inside of the house with wooden panels, decorating everything else at your discretion.

Another interesting project is a house made of painted containers: several containers stacked on top of each other and/or stacked to fit a given width of the house need to be painted in bright colors (each in a separate color) and provided with bright lighting. You can further expand the space of your home using a system of retractable doors.

The final result of the house project made from 5 containers is impressive - it turns out to be very spacious, comfortable, and has a usable roof. The exterior style of the containers is softened by the use of bright paint and modern furnishings.

The Anti Patio House project allows you to place a house made of shipping containers on a hillside, i.e. take full advantage of seemingly unfavorable environmental conditions. The building consists of three 40-foot containers installed on two levels. On the ground floor there is a large living room and kitchen, the entire second floor is occupied by a bedroom. This arrangement of space creates natural ventilation.

Also interesting is a country house made from two containers standing separately from each other, one of which is intended for a studio room and a garage, and the second for residential buildings. Both “buildings” are united by one roof, which also acts as a canopy over the space between them. The façade of the finished house is covered with wooden siding, which allows the project to be successfully integrated into living nature, and panoramic windows make the entire structure feel airy.

Photo

There are many options for buildings made from containers, among which everyone can find something suitable for themselves or get ideas for an individual project of such a house:

Video

Modular container buildings

In the modern world, modular buildings made from modular containers, which are very quickly constructed and are durable and highly functional, are becoming increasingly popular.

Modular containers today are used for the construction of office buildings, hotels, shops, residential buildings of any size and shape (although two-story buildings are most often built). Construction from block containers is carried out on a metal frame made of pipes, which makes the finished building especially reliable and durable, and from several 20 and 40-foot containers.

In such buildings it is easy to carry out all the necessary communications and, moreover, they can be disassembled and transported to a new place of residence, where the blocks can be assembled in a new way, changing the location of windows and doors. The outside of houses made from block containers can be covered with siding and decorated.

A container house is a practical, fast, cost-effective and reliable structure. Modern technologies make it possible to construct buildings from cargo containers. And it doesn’t matter at all what kind of containers the construction will be made of: sea or railway. Both of them perfectly withstand the aggressive influence of the external environment, have a very durable structural part and can be used to construct buildings with your own hands.

Container house - simple and original design

Using two shipping containers will allow you to build a house from 60 m2 to 120, depending on the project. For example, 40-foot containers installed opposite each other can be connected with stained glass windows and covered with a common roof.

Small container house

From one 40-foot container you can make a luxurious extension, a convenient utility room, temporary housing for daily wage workers, or equip a workshop or storage facility. Houses built using this technology have great seismic resistance, so it is possible to build such a house in earthquake-prone areas.

Types of projects

“Container” projects are diverse, there are a huge number of them. Therefore, seeing modular buildings made from block containers in person or in photographs is not difficult. This kind of construction is very popular not only in Russia, but also abroad.

Unfortunately, projects for this type of building are extremely individual. Standard projects cannot be found in the public domain.

However, like any construction, a house made of containers requires mandatory calculation of loads, foundations, strength - in a word, it is necessary to create design and estimate documentation.

Container house plan

You should not treat the need for a project as something negative, cumbersome and unnecessary. After all, not only the strength and reliability of the structure depend on what the design of the building will be, since it is this package of documentation that determines the appearance, convenient arrangement of rooms and rational use of space.

You can build such a house with your own hands, but to create a project, you need to contact a special organization. Professional engineers will calculate every little detail, determine not only the scope of work, but also correctly calculate the loads, create an impressive appearance, indicate the necessary building materials and calculate their quantity.

The house for the construction of which the project is being prepared is always beautiful, reliable, safe, comfortable, and does not threaten to collapse. Built in compliance with all the designers' recommendations, it will serve faithfully for a long time.

Original design of a house made from shipping containers

Projects drawn up by architects and designers, as well as the buildings built on them, are always individual and unusual. These can be houses of two or more floors, built in the form of a cascade, steps, or chaos. The project may involve combined construction, when, along with the use of sea containers, railway containers and other structures are used.

Construction Features

Freight, most often 40-foot, containers for rail or sea transportation are a ready-made and reliable skeleton of a future building. These are ready-made modules from metal structures made in a factory.

The construction of buildings and structures from containers is much faster than structures made by any other method.

The apparent simplicity of constructing residential buildings according to projects attracts those who are accustomed to working with their own hands. But, it should be remembered that the construction of buildings from sea and railway containers is a serious and responsible undertaking that requires certain skills and knowledge.

House made from sea or railway containers

Therefore, to build such a country house or residential house from containers, it is best to invite specialists. Many construction companies offer, among other works, the construction of buildings from 40-foot cargo containers.

These companies have experienced welders, concrete workers, and roofers on their staff. Therefore, modular buildings made from block containers, regardless of the number of floors, total area, or intended use, will be built with high quality and quickly.

But all further work on the interior and exterior decoration of the house can be done with your own hands.

Stages of construction of the structural part

If you nevertheless decide to build a house with your own hands, without involving a contractor, then you need to take into account that the construction of structures will take time and will require the use of special equipment and the ability to handle welding and other construction tools. To weld metal structures, it is necessary to use only high-quality domestic electrodes, since Chinese-made electrodes are not suitable for such construction.

Foundation. Construction work begins with the construction of the foundation. Because if you place the container directly on the ground, it will settle and the house will freeze. Therefore, first of all, you need to dig a pit of size and depth in accordance with the requirements of the project. In most cases, a strip foundation is sufficient, but in some regions it is impossible to do without piles. The last requirement applies to regions with weak, marshy soils. In order to dig a pit, you will need an excavator accompanied by trucks to remove soil. During concrete work, it is necessary to leave outlets from the reinforcement to connect the foundation to the container.

You can simplify the concrete work of pouring the foundation yourself by ordering a ready-made concrete mixture. In this case, it is enough to mount the reinforcement cage in accordance with the drawings, install the formwork and pour the mortar.

Fresh concrete must be compacted using special deep vibration tools. You can move on to the next stage only after the concrete has finally matured, that is, no earlier than 22 days after it is poured. The dimensions of the foundation depend on what containers will be used, since the dimensions of sea and railway containers differ significantly. In addition, they are produced in different versions, including: 20 and 40 feet. When designing foundations, the number of modular blocks from which the house will be built is taken into account. Accordingly, there is a difference in the size and design of the foundations for two, three or more blocks. To build multi-storey structures from sea or railway containers, more powerful, reinforced foundations will be required.

Installing the container on the foundation

Structural part. The next stage is the installation of containers on the existing foundation. You can’t do without special equipment here. Since both sea and railway containers have significant weight, you will definitely need a truck crane. Therefore, when building a house with your own hands, you should take care of this in advance. Special equipment, especially during the season, is in great demand. After the modules are installed, they should be tied and scalded, fastened to the foundation and to each other. Next, all the necessary work on the installation of internal, interior walls is carried out. This could be as simple as installing gypsum plasterboard partitions, which you can easily install yourself. But, most often, before installing them, the corrugated sheet from which the walls of the containers found inside the new building are made is removed or trimmed. At the same stage, holes for windows and doors are cut. If both sea and rail containers are used for construction at the same time, the difference in size should be taken into account. Combining 40 and 20 foot containers allows you to create an unusual, individual design.

Roofing device

This is also a rather complex type of activity. Despite the fact that sea and railway containers already have a ceiling, it will not replace the roof. It is done in the same way as in conventional construction.

Container house with roof

It is unlikely that you will be able to do this part of the work yourself. Therefore, it is best to invite a contractor who will perform all the work efficiently and in accordance with the project.

Containers can support a lot of weight, so even buildings of two or three floors can be covered with any type of roofing material, including heavy tiles.

Insulation and finishing of facades

Insulation of a living space built from containers is carried out in the same way as in the construction of ordinary houses. Having arranged the sheathing along the walls and on the upper outer part of the ceiling, you need to lay insulation. This can be glass wool, mineral board, polyurethane, penoplex, polystyrene foam, on top of which work is carried out on the exterior finishing of the building. You can do this work yourself, without the involvement of contractors.

To decorate the facades of such houses, special panels, decorative bricks, natural stone tiles, as well as ordinary painting and Munich-type plasters are used. For painting, special façade paints are used that are resistant to sudden changes in temperature and sunlight, as well as withstanding frost and an abundance of moisture.

The decoration of the facade can be varied depending on the style and imagination

Interior decoration

The interior decoration of container houses usually begins with covering the external enclosing structures with sheets of plasterboard, plywood or USB panels. It is best to mount them on a metal frame made of a rigid profile, since the wooden structure will be movable due to the constant change in the percentage of moisture in it. In order to insulate the house from the inside before covering the external walls, it is best to cover them with isocork. The material made from natural cork wood is an excellent antiseptic, resistant to the formation of various biological microorganisms, the appearance of which is associated with the formation of condensation.

After covering the walls, the ceiling is finished. As the simplest option, the wooden ceiling of the container can simply be painted and varnished. But plastering and gesso are the least suitable for it. Firstly, because the existing floor, as a rule, is perfectly smooth, and secondly, the emulsion and gesso will constantly crack due to changes in the percentage of moisture in the wood. Therefore, it is best to use suspended or suspended ceilings made of plasterboard, Armstrong or MDF panels. At the same time, suspended ceilings will maintain the ceiling height as much as possible, lowering its level by no more than two to three centimeters.

Interior of a container house

After installing the ceilings, you can return to finishing the walls. Since they are no different from the walls of any other house, the decoration is determined solely by the taste of the residents. Technologically, you can use any materials: wallpaper, paint, decorative plasters, etc.

Floors also require minimal finishing. Since the wooden flooring is treated with various antiseptic and fire-fighting agents, it is better not to dismantle it, but to leave it as a base.

Wooden flooring can be covered with any material - from linoleum to parquet. Laying ceramic tiles will need to be done not with a regular tile adhesive solution, but with a special glue - “liquid nails”, the instructions for which involve gluing wooden and ceramic surfaces.

Application in industrial and civil engineering

The construction of buildings from containers intended for freight transport by rail or sea in the 21st century has ceased to be the prerogative of private construction. An increasing number of countries are introducing this type of structural part into industrial and civil engineering. Shopping complexes, multi-storey residential buildings and even children's institutions have already been built using this technology. In Finland, the issue of constructing an entire residential complex from containers, including a large number of multi-storey buildings, is being considered.

Project to build apartment buildings from shipping containers in Detroit

In Detroit, Steven C. Flum, Inc. has already started construction of a 20-apartment building from used containers. In addition to other advantages directly related to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of construction, this type of construction is considered an environmentally friendly project that saves natural resources.

This is due to the fact that it is not profitable to send arriving containers back, and the issue of their disposal is quite acute. Therefore, the construction of small and medium-sized repair shops, residential complexes, snack bars and restaurants, shopping malls and entertainment buildings from them is an excellent solution for recycling containers that does not require an expensive recycling process.

Finland is also interested in construction of this kind. According to the government, this will help solve the housing shortage. The small area of ​​the apartments and their relatively low cost will make housing affordable for young people who are in dire need of it. Such a house should appear in the city of Vantaa in 2016. It will have from 50 to 100 apartments, each from 14 to 28 m2.

In Buenos Aires (Argentina), a shopping complex of 57 brightly colored modules with a roof made of solar panels was built; they provide the opportunity for restaurants, offices, and shopping boutiques to operate. There is also even a gallery and a cafe with huge stained glass windows.

A unique shopping street has been created in London; 61 shipping containers were used for its construction. There's more to Boxpark Shoreditch than just walking. There are places to relax, sanitary stations, cafes and even a small park with beautiful well-groomed trees.

The construction of buildings from modules is also gaining momentum in the CIS. In Kazakhstan, for example, this method is widely used to create boutiques in markets where a warehouse is located on the second floor.

Auxiliary mobile premises

It is convenient to build modular houses to create living conditions for shift workers. Prefabricated dormitories are easily dismantled and transported from one facility to another.

Container cafes: easy to install, dismantle and transport

The containers house canteens, baths and sanitary stations. In addition, in winter, when working outdoors is difficult, some of the work performed can be transferred to modular workshops.

Installation of furnace equipment and external insulation make it possible to use structures made from containers all year round. The ability to install one container onto another without problems or loss of strength ensures maximum efficiency in the use of land. If necessary, containers installed in a row, in addition to their main purpose, can form a temporary fencing of the territory.

Due to the growing number of industrial facilities being built in our country and using foreign-made equipment, the volume of rail and sea transportation carried out using sea containers has increased. According to current practice, used containers, as a rule, remain at the construction site and are subsequently sold to both legal entities and individuals. This is precisely the reason why sea containers began to be used for the construction of administrative, residential and public buildings. A house made from a sea container - structure, dimensions and layout options, as well as popular projects implemented in practice, and user reviews - all this is the topic of this article.

The use of several block containers allows you to create a modular house of the required dimensions

Read in the article

Design and layout options

Using sea containers, you can build buildings and, which is due to the requirements of regulatory documents.

All technical requirements for public and residential facilities being constructed are regulated by the following regulatory documents:

• for single-family residential buildings- SP 55.13330.2016 “SNiP 31-02-2001 Single-apartment residential buildings”;
• for apartment buildings- SP 54.13330.2011 “Residential multi-apartment buildings. Updated version of SNiP 31-01-2003";
• for public buildings- SP 118.13330.2012* “Public buildings and structures. Updated edition of SNiP 06/31/2009 (with Amendments No. 1, 2).”

The structure and layout of objects being constructed using sea containers depends on their number and type of placement in relation to each other, as well as the imagination of the architect or individual developer.

The main parameters for such construction, which determine the size of the object being constructed, are the overall dimensions of the container used.

Sea container sizes

Different types of containers differ in their carrying capacity, overall dimensions and equipment.

Dimensions may vary slightly among different manufacturers, but the main parameters are similar, and they are shown in the following table:

For your information! The name of 10/20/40/45 ft shipping containers comes from their length, expressed in the English measurement system, calculated in feet. So the length of a "twenty" corresponds to 20 feet in length in this measurement system.

In the construction of houses and other permanent structures, as a rule, 20 and 40 foot models are used, and smaller sizes are used in the construction of temporary shelters and tool storage areas, as well as mobile workshops when working on construction sites on a rotational basis.

Advantages and disadvantages of houses made using shipping containers

In our country, shipping containers for the construction of housing and other facilities are not as in demand as in the USA and European countries. This is due to the fact that, as in other matters, they are perceived by us as temporary shelters or buildings for seasonal residence.

However, this trend is gradually disappearing, which is caused by the emergence of new building materials, using which you can successfully complete the interior and exterior decoration of a facility under construction and create the required level.

A house or office building based on containers means mobility and ease of installation work

The advantages of using such products in the construction of real estate include the following indicators:

The disadvantages of such buildings are:

Popular buildings made from sea containers - layout, design ideas and photos of completed projects

As already written at the beginning of this article, shipping containers are used in the construction of various construction projects. In this section we will present projects that have already been implemented in practice, as well as ideas of architects and designers that have not yet been brought to life.

Houses for permanent residence

Houses for temporary residence and technical purposes (dacha, bathhouse, etc.)

Administrative and public buildings

Building a house from a container

Almost any person who is physically healthy and has the skills to work with hand tools and building materials can build a house from a container with their own hands.

In order to use a sea container for housing, you must:

• decide on its location and obtain permits for construction (if it is a permanent and not a mobile structure);
• select the type and number of containers so that they correspond to the required area and number of floors of the building, and then purchase them;
• develop interior spaces;
• draw up working drawings or sketches of the object being constructed, indicating the materials used for all structural elements (exterior and interior decoration, etc.);
• calculate the weight of the resulting building and, based on this, select the type required for production;
• purchase all selected materials and prepare the necessary tools.

When all the preparatory activities have been completed, you can begin building the house, which is done in the following sequence:

Stage No. 1. Laying the foundation.

The need to build a foundation depends on the type of building (capital), the nature of its use (for temporary or permanent residence), as well as the number of floors and the type of soil at the location of the construction site.

Modular buildings are lightweight structures, the installation of which does not require the construction of powerful foundations. A container house can be placed on a shallow or columnar foundation, or.

Important! When constructing a foundation, its overall dimensions must correspond to the dimensions of the house being assembled. If necessary, to impart strength to the structure (for the pile and column type options), horizontal connections (crossbars) are laid between the vertically located elements.

Stage No. 2. Installation of container(s).

When installing containers on a prepared foundation, it is impossible to do without the use of lifting equipment, and therefore the passage of vehicles to the construction site must be ensured.

This article discusses the features and specifics of such budget housing as a house made from a sea container: the advantages and disadvantages of buildings, the technical parameters of the building material and the average prices for its purchase. The text contains information that will allow you to independently create a house from containers on your site: interesting ideas, photos and videos, tips for creating a layout and unusual projects, step-by-step construction technology.

If you want to acquire comfortable and practical housing in the shortest possible time, you should pay attention to the projects of houses made from sea containers; the price of such structures in comparison with standard buildings is much lower and more affordable for most owners of suburban areas. This type of construction is only gaining popularity, which is due to low awareness of the population. Housing made from containers has been actively used abroad for several decades.

How container houses are built: photos and features of buildings

Container construction is rightfully considered a technology of the future, which will soon help many people solve their housing problem. In European countries, this approach is widespread, resulting in the emergence of a new business sector. This area includes services for the design and construction of turnkey container houses, the so-called “semi-finished structures”.

A semi-finished product is a model used as a basis for the construction of a building. This structure is manufactured in a factory and has a rough floor and walls. In addition, the standard equipment of the semi-finished product includes additional systems and elements:

• window structures;
• electrical wiring;
• doors;
• heating system.

After selecting a specific project, the owner of the land plot will only have to buy cargo containers in the required quantity. They are delivered to the construction site, where they will subsequently be combined into one structure. The use of such models can significantly reduce the construction time of a house, which is one of the most significant advantages of this technology.

Helpful advice! During the home process, shipping containers can be advantageously combined with other building modules, such as reinforced concrete or brick.

Why is it profitable to buy a house made from shipping containers: the advantages of buildings

Houses made from sea or cargo containers have many advantages. They have a seismically resistant design, so buildings of this type are often built in regions where various natural disasters are observed, such as hurricanes or earthquakes.

Blanks in the form of containers allow you to get a home that is practically no different from permanent buildings. The outer side of the modules can be finished with clapboard; the inner side is covered with plasterboard sheets. Moreover, the cost of container buildings is much lower than the price of permanent housing. By choosing a shipping container as a material for building a house, the owner can be sure that his home will not be inhabited by harmful insects and rodents.

It takes no more than 2-3 months to construct a container-based building. If you minimize some types of work, for example, simplify the finishing, then 2-3 weeks will be enough to put the house into operation. Since container buildings are light in weight, there is no need to build a massive foundation. The modules can be installed directly onto compacted earth.

Billets can be used not only for the construction of residential buildings. They are ideal for the implementation of projects of houses from shipping containers with extensions and utility facilities.

This technology is not limited to certain climatic conditions. If there is appropriate thermal insulation, a container house can be built in almost any latitude. Since modular blanks are designed for sea transportation, such houses can be safely installed on frozen ground. They are resistant to low temperatures and adverse weather conditions. Container houses can be built on plots with a large slope.

Interesting fact! Shipping containers are widely used for housing construction in Antarctica and regions located in the Far North.

If the design of a house made from shipping containers does not involve installing stained glass on the entire wall, such a building will provide residents with maximum protection from intrusion by strangers.

Disadvantages of modular houses made from block containers

Housing made from cargo and sea containers does not have many disadvantages. The amazing durability and longevity of these structures also includes a downside. To ensure that containers can withstand long-term use under aggressive weather conditions, they are pre-treated with special compounds and dyes. These protective coatings contain toxic substances. Therefore, before you start building a container house, you should remove the paint.

The blank modules are made of metal, so in the summer the surface of the structure gets very hot, and in the winter it cools down. To ensure comfortable climatic conditions in your home, you will definitely need to take care of high-quality and effective thermal insulation.

Under the influence of moisture, the metal becomes covered with rust. To prevent premature destruction of the building, it is advisable to regularly inspect the building for corrosion and carefully care for it. Low ceilings are one of the most significant drawbacks. If you insulate the ceiling and floor, the maximum height of the room will be 2.35 m.

Dimensions and photos of containers for building houses

Container dimensions are usually indicated in feet. For the construction of houses, structures intended for the transportation of railway and sea cargo are suitable. Moreover, the dimensions may vary depending on the load capacity. Containers of various capacities are used for transportation by rail, but exclusively large-capacity containers are used for housing construction.

The internal dimensions of a 20 t container are 2.33 x 5.86 x 2.19 m. Having similar dimensions, the structure has 29.5 m³ of usable volume. Minus the space allocated for installation of sheathing and insulation, this will be the approximate size of the interior space of the room.

Typically, standard sized 40 foot long shipping containers are used for building construction. The internal dimensions of this design are 2.4x12x2.35 m. One container will be enough to create:

• utility room;

• spacious extension;
• storage;
• workshop.

Using 2-3 blocks, you can build a house with an area of ​​120 m². An interesting option would be to install two containers opposite each other, connecting them with stained glass and covering them with one roof.

Interesting fact! In America and Europe, houses made from 40-foot containers are widespread. The first creator of such housing was the architect Adam Kalkin. The house appeared as a result of a creative experiment and consisted of 3 sea containers.

Dimensions of container blocks:

In most cases, containers are rectangular in shape, although there are also square options with increased height.

How much will it cost to buy building material for a house made from containers: price of blocks

The price of blocks for building a house from containers depends on various factors. It is influenced to a greater extent by the configuration and size of the structure. In addition, the cost depends on whether the container is new or has been previously used. If the product is used, its price will depend on the condition. The cost of shipping containers that are well preserved and have normal geometry will be significantly higher than that of defective products.

Average prices for 40ft containers:

Building a house based on container blocks will cost about 30% less than the cost of stationary housing made of brick.

Interesting projects and photos of container houses, prices for turnkey construction

Every year the architectural design of residential buildings becomes wider and more diverse. Some people, in an effort to emphasize their status, buy large houses with a modern design, made of steel, concrete and glass, others prefer extravagant solutions, for example, housing made from shipping containers. Moreover, there can be countless variations on this theme. Some people use a container as an extension to a building, while others have their entire house confined to the walls of one container.

Container house design: photos, ideas, design options

Despite their simplicity, house designs made from 40-foot containers look quite interesting. Such structures can be used as guest or country houses. The buildings turn out to be small and at the same time very neat. This option is ideal for budget construction if the land area is small.

Of course, the small dimensions and shape of the container significantly limit the owner’s design and decoration of the future home. However, this doesn't stop some people. You can improve the appearance of the building with the help of sliding doors and large stained glass windows, visually expanding the interior space. Homes painted in bright colors, such as blue, green or yellow, look great.

Helpful advice! If you install a small canopy over the front of the building, then during summer rain you can keep the doors open without fear of water getting into the room. Sheets of cellular polycarbonate are suitable for these purposes. To support the overall exterior, you can buy colored polycarbonate for a container house that matches the color of the building.

To create a warm and comfortable environment, it is advisable to use wooden panels as interior cladding. Even the simplest design can be turned into a great place to relax and live by experimenting with colors and materials. Such a house will fit perfectly into the surrounding landscape if you plant flower beds around it. Brave designers can try organizing a flower garden right on the roof, using cacti and other light-loving plants for this purpose.

Related article:

Design features, advantages and disadvantages. Common triangular building projects and photos. Step-by-step construction technology.

Houses made from shipping containers: photos and designs of impressive buildings from the best architects

The design of the houses, developed by architect Adam Kalkin, who appreciated the advantages and durability of shipping containers, looks quite impressive in the photo. If you want to acquire housing with a large area, you can use his designs of multi-level buildings.

According to the idea, a kind of “house within a house” is created. To do this, individual smaller components are placed inside the massive structure, which can be used as independent full-fledged buildings. Thanks to large sliding glass doors, you can harmoniously connect your living space with the outside world.

Despite the unusual concept, such a house can accommodate everything you need for a comfortable stay:

• living room;
• kitchen;
• several bedrooms and bathrooms.

From an aesthetic point of view, a multi-level house with many container sections looks attractive and unique, and due to the presence of transparent glass doors, its already large space is filled with lightness and lightness.

Photos of a 2-story house designed by architect Marcio Kogan look no less impressive. This project allows you to create a residential building on the basis of industrial elements combined into one whole in a limited period of time. In order to give the house the required area, the containers are stacked on top of each other, and then the building is expanded. The result is a structure with large internal space. In the widest part you can arrange a comfortable living room.

Helpful advice! By using a clever retractable door system, the living room space can be extended to the outdoors, thereby providing a beautiful view from the room and quick access to the yard.

40 foot shipping containers can be used for construction. Through the use of vibrant colors and modern home ecosystems, simple blocks are transformed into functional homes with a joyful and cheerful design.

Unusual examples of container houses: photos and projects of non-residential buildings

Cargo containers are used not only for the construction of residential buildings, but also for the creation of other projects. An excellent example of this approach is the Starbucks coffee house, which, according to the idea of ​​​​one businessman, was made of modular elements. This modern cafe made from containers has an original and unusual design, unlike the usual design of these establishments.

Many people associate shipping containers with fast delivery and fresh food, so this concept can be easily used to build your own store or cafe. A compact building made of containers can accommodate everything you need to start your own business. There will be enough space to install equipment and create a small work area for staff.

Taking an idea from designer Stephen Shoup, you can create a temporary office out of containers for a young company. If you are not sure about the stability of business development, modular buildings made from cargo blocks will be an excellent solution to the problem. This method is unusual and does not require large expenses. Stephen Shoup designed the L-shaped office building. However, this does not mean that other container placement options cannot be used.

The shipping container office building has a bit of a warehouse feel to it, but it's not without its industrial appeal. The interior space can be effectively used for arranging office space. In this case, everything necessary for work will always be at hand, and if desired, there will be enough space for holding a small meeting or business meeting. It all depends on how many containers are used to build the office and what its internal layout is.

Interesting container house projects: design options

To create a beautiful modern home, two 40-foot containers will be enough. Such projects are suitable for people who do not strive for excess. High-quality finishes and modern furniture will help turn a container house into housing that meets basic requirements.

For people who prefer spacious housing, it is better to give preference to house designs consisting of several blocks. On the Internet you can find photos of houses made from sea containers, which do not always have a presentable appearance, but at the same time they are very practical and comfortable inside. In a building consisting of 4 blocks, you can arrange a large living room and a spacious kitchen, several bedrooms, etc.

Helpful advice! If the second level of the building is pushed forward above the first floor, you can get a kind of canopy. The space underneath is ideal for arranging a terrace, which will be an excellent place to relax outdoors in the summer.

Interesting houses that successfully combine container blocks and open spaces look unusual in the photo. Using modern technologies and design solutions, you can create comfortable living conditions in such a building. Before starting construction, you should think about adding elements such as:

• exploitable roof with landscaping;
• high-tech porous thermal insulation;
• geothermal heating system.

All these innovations will allow you to create a real home suitable for permanent residence of an entire family.

Popular container house projects and construction prices

The cheapest option for housing construction is to purchase and implement a country house project consisting of one container. If you need a place for permanent residence, you should think about building it from several blocks. Thanks to the principle of volumetric design of buildings consisting of individual rectangular cells, it becomes possible to obtain housing with an original design and different number of storeys, and in a limited space.

You can buy a house made of containers with a total area of ​​about 90 m² for about 360-450 thousand rubles. Such a project involves installing three blocks in one plane. If you add a second floor using additional 2-3 containers, the cost of housing will double.

Single container houses are characterized by simplicity and practicality. In one room you can combine a dining room and a bedroom, and also organize a small bathroom behind a partition. This option is suitable for temporary residence of 1-2 people.

If you place 3 blocks in one plane, such housing will be suitable for a comfortable stay for a family with two children. A total area of ​​85 m² will be enough to equip a kitchen (14 m²), a dining room (23 m²) and several bedrooms (36 m²), as well as a bathroom (12 m²).

Two-story buildings made from cargo blocks have the same conditions as modern buildings with a large area. In this case, it is advisable to divide the layout of a container house into zones according to their intended purpose. On the ground floor it is better to arrange a spacious living room, which can be used for receiving guests and family meetings. It is advisable to organize a dining room and kitchen nearby. The second floor can be used for recreation. It is better to arrange bedrooms here.

It is advisable to locate general purpose premises on each floor:

• toilets;
• bathrooms;
• utility rooms (storage rooms, dressing rooms).

Important! Before construction begins, containers must be checked for radiation. The safe norm is 35 µR/h (micro-roentgen per hour).

Average price of a turnkey container home:

The cost of purchasing materials is 393 thousand rubles. If you hire a contractor to build a modular house from containers, then taking into account the cost of services, the price of housing will approximately double and will be 786 thousand rubles. The figures given are approximate only. Costs will depend on various factors, such as the quality and type of finish, soil characteristics on the site and other conditions.

Features of bathhouses made from sea containers and average construction prices

Cargo containers can be used for more than just residential buildings. Baths made from blocks are in high demand among consumers, who are attracted by the mobility of these structures, affordable price and the ability to adjust parameters to suit individual needs. Most often, 20-foot High Cube blocks are used to build bathhouses from containers. The area of ​​such an element is 13.53 m².

This space is enough to organize the main components:

• shower;
• steam room;
• rest rooms.

Average prices for turnkey baths:

Note! All projects indicated in the table involve the installation of a steam room, water supply and sewerage systems, supply of electricity and cutting out window openings. The cost of double glazed windows is not included in the total price.

Consumer opinion about container houses: user reviews from forums

Many owners of summer cottages have already taken advantage of the idea of ​​​​building residential containers and shared their opinions on forums.

“If you adhere to all the requirements and complete insulation, a house made of container blocks will be a good solution to the housing problem. I like that a minimum of time is spent on erecting the supporting structure. After this, you can select doors and windows, as well as finishing, to your taste. There is no need to build a massive foundation, which greatly simplifies the work. Of course, the size and shape of modular elements are limited by standard frames, but if you have a creative streak, even this problem can be circumvented.”

Evgeniy Dorosh, Moscow

“My neighbor in the country started with one block, gradually adding additional modules to it. Now his country house made of containers looks no worse than a stationary building made of bricks. So I seriously thought about building such housing. The house looks interesting both inside and outside. I’ve never heard any complaints from my neighbor, so I think it’s worth a try.”

Igor Skripach, Ekaterinburg

“A container house can hardly be compared with a brick building. But taking into account the price, which is about 5 times less, such housing can be safely considered if the family’s budgetary capabilities are limited.”

Roman Lubko, Samara

How to build a house from containers: technology and recommendations

Construction of housing on the land plot is carried out in stages. Since the building does not require a complex foundation, all work can be done independently. Main stages of construction:

• project development;

• arrangement of the foundation part of the building;
• installation of containers;
• roofing;
• installation of insulation;
• internal and external finishing works.

Designing a 40ft Container House: Building Layout

The layout is developed taking into account the purpose of the building. Many companies offer standard projects for construction, but to create modern housing from containers it is better to use an individual approach. However, you should not rely solely on your own intuition. Despite the obvious simplicity of the construction process, it is imperative to act within the framework of the design work.

Before you begin constructing a building from cargo containers, it is necessary to perform strength calculations. To do this, weight loads are calculated and, based on the data obtained, the optimal dimensions of the foundation are calculated. In addition to these calculations, the design documentation specifies the type and quantity of building materials, as well as the appearance of the structure.

Note! To find out the cost of container housing, you need to take shipping into account. This service may affect the final price.

Depending on how many containers will be used to build a house, and how they will be placed in relation to each other, you can get rooms with different layouts and areas. Most often, developers resort to an option where several containers are installed in a row under one roof. In this case, the modules are adjacent to each other with the long side. With this arrangement, the rooms are connected by organizing internal openings.

An interesting option is obtained if one of the walls has a folding design. In this case, it can serve as a home space. Panoramic windows can be installed on the inside of the wall. Such a project will not only be successful in terms of ease of use, but also safe.

The layout of a country house made from containers will be more varied if you place the modular blocks in a checkerboard pattern. The designer will have a chance to show his imagination and achieve an interesting result. Options for parallel placement of cargo containers are quite popular. In this case, the modules are installed at a certain distance from each other.

Convenient and comfortable layouts are obtained in those projects where containers are located one above the other. From the outside, this design looks like dresser drawers. If the blocks are placed in a U shape on the site, it will be possible to arrange a patio. This area can be decorated and arranged for family fun.

How to build a container home that meets safety requirements

Bacteria and rodents can cause serious damage to a building, but there are other dangers, such as burglars. There are special design and technological techniques that allow you to avoid invasion from the outside and provide your home with reliable protection.

The front door is one of the most vulnerable areas. To secure this area of ​​the house, it is advisable to install a frame wall immediately behind it, where an opening is cut. During the absence of the owners, the property will be protected by two door structures at once: standard and burglar-resistant.

Another way to improve a building's security against burglary is to install a wall with a lifting structure. This method is convenient and reliable, although it is expensive. A glass wall is installed behind the lifting structure, which will provide the building with additional natural light.

Helpful advice! If the climbing wall will be used as a terrace, it is advisable to use wood for its construction.

The size and shape of door and window structures do not affect the safety level of the building. These elements are selected taking into account the design of the premises or exterior of the house.

Building a foundation for a house from shipping containers with your own hands

The first stage of construction involves carrying out foundation work on the site. The house can be installed on piles, foundation blocks, strips. The choice of base depends on the relief features of the site and the properties of the soil. It is not recommended to install blocks without a foundation, since the soil will sag under the weight of the building, and in winter the structure will freeze very much.

If you intend to build a country house for temporary residence, they will be suitable as a basis. The two-story building needs careful preparation. In most cases, experts advise using a reinforced strip foundation. To build it, you will need to dig a pit, so you cannot do without specialized equipment, for example, an excavator, as well as trucks that will remove the soil.

If the site is located on weak, marshy soil, it is better to give preference to a pile foundation. To pour a monolithic foundation for a house made of block containers with several floors, it is advisable to use grade 400 cement, which is mixed with water and sand. By adding special hardeners to the resulting mixture, you can significantly increase the service life of the base.

It is allowed to use the ready-mix for concrete work. In this case, a reinforcement frame and a formwork structure are installed, which is filled with mortar. To get a high-quality result, concrete must be compacted. For this purpose, a deep vibration tool is used.

The structural part of building a house from cargo containers: installing blocks

The installation of cargo containers on the site can only begin after the concrete has completely dried. This requires at least 22 days. If 40-foot-long shipping containers are purchased for construction, a truck crane will be required for their installation.

Helpful advice! While the concrete is drying, you can perform anti-corrosion treatment on the shipping containers. To do this, the blocks are painted using iron and lead lead. As a finishing layer, it is better to use a dye that is resistant to high temperatures.

When the concrete pour has completely hardened, the modules can be installed on the foundation. Then they are tied and scalded. This is done in order to secure the house structure of two containers to the foundation and connect the modules to each other.

At the next stage, internal interior partitions are formed. For these purposes, it is advisable to use plasterboard sheets. This material is easy to handle and can be processed well. As an alternative, corrugated sheets can be used. To obtain the necessary elements, you need to remove the inner walls of the container, which do not fit into the requirements of the project. This procedure is performed immediately before the blocks are installed on the foundation.

At the same stage, openings for windows and doors are cut out. A grinder can be used for this. After the operation is completed, you should carefully treat the edge of the cut with special means.

Since the design of the cargo container is not designed to have holes, the rigidity of the block will be significantly reduced as a result of installation work. To strengthen the supporting structure in weak places, namely in window and door openings, it is necessary to weld pipes or channels around the entire perimeter. This must be done so that the stiffening ribs extend from the floor to the ceiling.

It is advisable to use a continuous seam to connect all elements of the supporting structure. Fastening the container body to the stiffeners is best done by spot welding. If you do not have the skills to operate a welding machine, it is advisable to use the services of a professional, since it is very important to maintain the necessary inclinations and angles.

How to do roofing work in a container house with your own hands

First, the frame part of the attic floor is formed. For these purposes, it is recommended to use timber with a section size of 10x10 cm. The frame is fixed to the container using self-tapping screws. To fasten the beams together, it is advisable to use plumbing bolts.

When the frame part of the attic is ready, the rafter system is installed. If the size of the boards is specified correctly in the design documentation, then during the work they will not have to be spliced, making the structure more durable and reliable. Self-tapping screws should be used to connect the rafters. Next, a sheathing is formed, on top of which galvanized steel sheets are laid. When performing roofing work, you should not forget about vapor insulation. To do this, a vapor barrier film is placed between the sheathing and the steel sheets.

There is another way to organize vapor insulation. To do this, pipes 40 cm long and 10 cm in diameter (3 pieces on each side) are installed under the roof itself on both sides of the house. They will provide ventilation to the space under the roof. The holes intended for installation of pipes are made in advance.

Important! Steel sheets are affordable, but they make too much noise during heavy rain and wind. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to soft roofing materials, for example, ondulin.

High-quality insulation of a modern container house

Any residential premises need thermal insulation. This is especially true for buildings made from shipping containers, which conduct not only heat well, but also sound. Therefore, it does not hurt to install soundproofing materials along with thermal insulation.

The following types of materials can be used as insulation:

• polyurethane foam;
• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam.

The maximum service life of mineral wool is 10 years. After this, the material loses all its properties. Unlike mineral wool, polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam have a dense structure. Thanks to this, installation of such thermal insulation is quick and easy. The service life of polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam reaches 20 years. These materials have not only heat but also sound insulation properties, which mineral wool cannot boast of.

To fix the insulation, you can use plastic pins or a special adhesive. Plastic elements are screwed into the walls of the cargo container in advance. A polyethylene film is laid over the insulation. Then a decorative layer is installed, for example, chipboard or lining.

Insulation of floors is carried out in a similar way. For this you should use polystyrene foam boards. The use of mineral wool on floors is extremely undesirable, because it can retain moisture. Additionally, you can make a concrete screed.

In the process of insulation, it is very important not only to use high-quality materials, but also to try to eliminate sources of heat loss as much as possible. As a rule, their role is played by design flaws, which include:

• cracks;
• cold bridges;
• areas with high thermal conductivity.

The main source of heat loss is cracks. If the assembly of the structure is performed poorly, all efforts to insulate will be in vain. Therefore, it is very important to carefully treat all joints. Cargo containers are made of metal. This material has high thermal conductivity, so insulation is carried out not only from the inside, but also from the outside of the building.

Window and door openings can serve as a source of heat loss. In order to prevent rapid cooling of the premises, it is necessary to select high-quality materials for thermal insulation of the door structure, as well as double-glazed windows for windows of appropriate thickness.

Note! You shouldn't skimp on insulation. If all the work is done efficiently, in the future you can significantly reduce the heating costs of a container building. Therefore, the choice of materials must be approached very responsibly.

What materials are used for interior and exterior decoration of a house made from modular containers?

After the internal insulation of the house has been completed, the surface of the walls is covered with OSB boards, plasterboard or plywood sheets. These materials are attached to a rigid frame, which is assembled from metal profiles.

Ceiling coverings can be very diverse:

• drywall;
• Armstrong system;
• stretch ceiling;
• painted wood.

To decorate wall surfaces, the same materials are used as in standard houses, for example: wallpaper, plastic panels, decorative plaster, paint. The floors are covered with tiles, parquet, and linoleum. It all depends on the purpose of the room, personal preferences and budgetary capabilities of the owner.

The following materials are used in external finishing works:

• natural stone;
• block house;
• siding;
• decorative plaster;
• fake diamond;
• plastic panels.

Finishing materials for exterior work are selected taking into account the climatic conditions and design of the building.

Connecting a container house to communication systems and heating

Since container buildings do not require a massive foundation, the floors can be cold. The best option for modular houses would be a “warm floor” heating system. If there is high-quality insulation on the walls and roof, it can create comfortable climatic conditions for living. The underfloor heating system cannot be used as the main source of heating, especially if the ceilings in the house are high. Additional heaters will be required.

Helpful advice! If you install solar panels on the roof of a building, you can organize a convenient and efficient heating system.

If the house will be used for permanent residence, care should be taken to ensure that all necessary communications are available. These include:

• sewer system;
• electricity;
• water pipes;
• gas supply.

If electricity and gas supply can be supplied to the house at any time, then the calculation of sewerage and water supply is carried out at the stage of design work. If there is no centralized water supply system, you will have to find alternative sources, for example, build a well and connect pumping equipment. If there are no conditions for creating a sewer system, this issue can be solved using a cesspool or septic tank. It also wouldn’t hurt to install a system that provides natural and forced ventilation.

When all construction and finishing work is completed, you can begin arranging a house from shipping containers. There are no restrictions regarding the style of decoration and furniture. The owner can make his own decisions when creating the design of the premises. The exception is styles such as baroque and classic, which are characterized by the use of massive furniture. In conditions of low ceilings, such a design would be inappropriate.

It is advisable to avoid gloomy and dark colors. White and pastel shades will visually increase the space inside the containers. Mirrors and glossy surfaces create a similar effect. Container buildings are ideally combined with panoramic windows. This type of glazing will give the building a modern appearance.

Using your imagination, you can turn a modular structure into a full-fledged and comfortable home, and the presence of awnings or a veranda will give it additional comfort.

How to build a house from containers: video review of technology