Shipping Containers: The cheapest and coolest way to build your home

Of the 17 million shipping containers in existence across the world, it is estimated that only 5 to 6 million are in use on boats, trucks and trains. It is also estimated that about 10,000 of shipping containers carried on vessels are lost at sea each year! (Source)

We can assume from these numbers that about 11 million shipping containers are currently not being used. From this 11 million, it is possible that at least half are available for immediate sale to willing consumers. Due to the specificity of the demand, shipping containers are actually quite cheap to buy. 

You can find many shipping containers for under $2,000, making them a great building tool for building a really cheap home. Shipping containers are a real solution for those interested in reusing materials and saving a ton of money doing it. 

WHY ARE SHIPPING CONTAINERS CHEAP?

• Demand for them is very low, considering their main use is to ship things across the sea. 
• They are only made of steel, making the manufacturing process quite simple. 
• Many of them can be found in dumps, making them free in many cases.
• Oh yeah, a ton of them are the bottom of the ocean, maybe we should get them? :) We really should, guys.

MADE TO LAST

• The corrugated panels of a shipping container make them extremely strong and durable
• They offer great insulation from the start, minimizing additional costs. 
• Steel is incredibly versatile, making these containers easy to build with.

MADE TO LIVE IN

I am a firm believer in re-purposing. Shipping containers may have been invented to transport products, but they have proven to be extremely useful as a housing alternative. In fact, shipping containers can be used immediately as shelter for those who need it. As a structure, it provides the necessary protection from the elements almost immediately. But of course, we are here to talk about how to transform these things to their maximum potential. Here are a few point about why these are perfect for making home with. 

• Perfect dimensions. Shipping containers come in a standard width of about 8-9 feet wide. They come in standard lengths of 10 to 40 feet. Speaking from an architectural perspective, these dimensions are very appealing. You can arrange them however you want and stack them as high as you please. 
• DID I MENTION THAT THEY ARE CHEAP? You can buy these for under $2,000 dollars. Isn't cost one of the biggest issues affecting your decision to buy a house?

SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES

Using shipping containers as living spaces poses a really important question. How do you create a home that doesn't look like a bunch of old trailers stacked together? The best approach is to use the containers as the bone structure and use conventional building materials in combination with them. Conventional 2X4 construction works very well with the rectangular shape of shipping containers.

If you were to think of shipping containers as transformable, the possibilities are endless. They can be cut, stacked, flipped, rotated, elevated, painted and moved according to your needs. Below are just some examples of shipping container homes I believe to be exemplary of these principles. 

BIGGER APPLICATIONS

Shipping containers can be used for much larger applications. I believe that apartment buildings can be revolutionized with the use of this material. I have developed my own idea for what a mass housing project could look like if shipping containers were used. Costs would be incredibly low for this type of construction.

My plan consists of three building types. Single, double and triple bedroom plans make for a healthy variation across the board. Units can be modified to fit individual needs as well. 

If you find value in this type of high density building, let me know! I am in the process of developing it further. If you follow me on Steemit, you will see that I am working on a plethora of building techniques which take advantage of recycled materials and sustainable building practices. This apartment complex is still in conceptual mode. If you follow me, you will see a full rendering of what I intend for this community. Thanks for viewing! :) I always appreciate your comments.