Would you ever live inside a shipping container?

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justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:02 PM
Browsing the interwebs over my break I found out about a pretty cool practice of turning 20' and 40' shipping containers into housing.


This was the first house to catch my eye. It was built out in Colorado.







What say you, would you live in a house like this?
Jan 2, 2013 2:02pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:06 PM
No.
Jan 2, 2013 2:06pm
S

sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:06 PM
I would but I've always loved the urban chic look. I'm guessing you would need some good installation.
Jan 2, 2013 2:06pm
S

Sonofanump

Jan 2, 2013 2:07 PM
Yes.
Jan 2, 2013 2:07pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:07 PM
That's a pretty cool place. I just wonder if the cost to retro-fit isn't another example of paying thru the nose for the status of being "green".

If you don't mind all straight lines, I'd guess different size containers could make the house virtually indistinguishable from traditional methods.

Only thing I might not care for is all the doors (some of which could probably just be walled-in and ignored). But combined with some traditional bricks-n-mortar you could probably eliminate the doors with other framing outside (i.e. screen in that porch the doors open to).
Jan 2, 2013 2:07pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:11 PM
That HAS to be more expensive, given the price for scrap steel (and they probably weren't using scrap containers, which would be even higher retail) than regular wood framing.

Judging from the property it's on, I'm guessing we might get sticker shock from.
Jan 2, 2013 2:11pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:14 PM
Yeah, I have a feeling this project wasn't cheap.
Jan 2, 2013 2:14pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:19 PM
Containers were selling for scrap price not sure what they are going for now. The neighbor bought four to make a barn out of and it turned out pretty sweet. I know here in the US we are well overstocked with these things.
Jan 2, 2013 2:19pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:26 PM
mcburg93;1355796 wrote:Containers were selling for scrap price not sure what they are going for now. The neighbor bought four to make a barn out of and it turned out pretty sweet. I know here in the US we are well overstocked with these things.
I've seen them for around $1000 for a 20' and $2000 for a 40'.

This isn't a home, just a studio, but if you lived a truly minimalist lifestyle you could get by in something this size.



I've seen some plans for a ~1300 sq ft home using two shipping containers that are estimated to cost about $25k total. If you were handy you could probably make yourself a livable home for far less than that.
Jan 2, 2013 2:26pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:30 PM
Yeah, I saw an article on EBAY saying 20' was going for $2500-$3000 and 40' about 20% more. 8-10' wide, I think.

So probably cheaper than wood framing (+labor). But the finishing expenses have to be a lot higher. Maybe net-net it isn't that different from the cost of traditional materials.
Jan 2, 2013 2:30pm
mucalum49's avatar

mucalum49

Senior Member

1,639 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:33 PM
Saw a show called "Extreme Homes" where someone did this. I liked the living space and it's contemporary look but when they showed the bedrooms that's when you realize you're living in a narrow shipping container. Maybe it was the way these people had their room set up but I didn't really like it. Here's the house I saw:

Jan 2, 2013 2:33pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:34 PM
^^^fugly
Jan 2, 2013 2:34pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 2, 2013 2:36 PM
I like that one a lot.
Jan 2, 2013 2:36pm
TedSheckler's avatar

TedSheckler

Emporium Entrepreneur

3,974 posts
Jan 2, 2013 3:44 PM
No*

*The Wire-Season 2
Jan 2, 2013 3:44pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jan 2, 2013 4:08 PM
sportchampps;1355779 wrote:I would but I've always loved the urban chic look. I'm guessing you would need some good installation.
Insulation too.
Jan 2, 2013 4:08pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Jan 2, 2013 4:33 PM
Just south of Columbus off of route 23 there is a large building made of these....business, small factory...not sure.
Jan 2, 2013 4:33pm
Trueblue23's avatar

Trueblue23

BASEDgod

7,463 posts
Jan 2, 2013 4:36 PM
I think it's pretty sweet
Jan 2, 2013 4:36pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Jan 2, 2013 4:38 PM
I know someone that actually lives in a shipping container. It's just a shipping container though, it's pretty sad.
Jan 2, 2013 4:38pm
Fab1b's avatar

Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Jan 2, 2013 5:08 PM
the ones posted here are sweet
Jan 2, 2013 5:08pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Jan 2, 2013 5:19 PM
As a single dude with no kids that I know of, hell yea.
Jan 2, 2013 5:19pm
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jan 2, 2013 5:39 PM
doesnt look well insulated at all.
Jan 2, 2013 5:39pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 2, 2013 8:05 PM
Pick6;1355968 wrote:doesnt look well insulated at all.
From what I've read they are extremely energy efficient. There is a ceramic paint that you spray on the outside and then you can insulate the inside with foam or whatever.
Jan 2, 2013 8:05pm
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
Jan 2, 2013 9:17 PM
I've been looking at them for quite some time.

I think my wife and I will go that route once we have the financial capability. I like them.
Jan 2, 2013 9:17pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 2, 2013 11:44 PM
Better than stacking two double-wides
Jan 2, 2013 11:44pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jan 3, 2013 6:12 AM
maybe stack two side by side and two on top and one jetting out in an L.

2000 sq ft of shipping container heaven.
Jan 3, 2013 6:12am