Shipping Container Homes

Latest Articles

Shipping Container Homes
Page 1, 2, 3, 4 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Energy Efficiency and Construction/Major Projects

Author

Message

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 6:58 am Post subject: Shipping Container Homes

Whilst still living on the boat and dreaming of being land based, I started thinking about a recycled house... the ultimate, to my mind is the shipping container(s). Throughout the world they are used for many purposes. No longer are they considered a third world alternative, but are now a viable proposition.

I wont paste lots of links, just google shipping container homes to see what fantastic designs are out there.

Has anyone else here had experience of this, or have ideas or thoughts.

Of course we have to get this past the planning, but have a fantastic architect who manages to somehow get his quirky designs approved.

mousjoos

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1986
Location: VERY Sunny SW France

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:05 am Post subject:
A friend of mine lives on a narrow boat; his neighbour lives in a container facing the canal & covered at the back with earth, so from that side it looks like a big lump Very cosy in Winter, by all accounts & cheap to run Nice idea I think

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:13 am Post subject:
Any problems with corrosion on the back end of the container with the earth? Our thoughts now are to put a patio on the roof(s), of course welded railings etc... The views would be spectacular. What's on the top of his container?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:27 am Post subject:
Mine (not a home) was very prone to condensation. Make sure your architect prepares for that.

mousjoos

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1986
Location: VERY Sunny SW France

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:32 am Post subject:
As far as I know, it has a membrane to prevent direct contact; as for condensation, I have no idea...it's almost certainly a bit "low tech" knowing what he's like I've only ever seen photos

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:35 am Post subject:
Good point, thank you... All and any info is gratefully received... One day we will have a house on our land, let's see if it's a container... Till then we will continue to live in our rented stone shack... this has more condensation than anything I have ever known, I go outside in the rain to get dry!

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:40 am Post subject:

mousjoos wrote:

A friend of mine lives on a narrow boat; his neighbour lives in a container facing the canal & covered at the back with earth, so from that side it looks like a big lump

Very cosy in Winter, by all accounts & cheap to run

Nice idea I think

Mousjoos, next time you are passing by your friend's narrow boat, should you happen to notice anything interesting about his neighbour's container I would love to know.

mousjoos

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1986
Location: VERY Sunny SW France

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:40 am Post subject:

Flamin'Panda wrote:

Good point, thank you... All and any info is gratefully received... One day we will have a house on our land, let's see if it's a container... Till then we will continue to live in our rented stone shack... this has more condensation than anything I have ever known, I go outside in the rain to get dry!

but I'm sure the views & the cheap wine make it all worth while

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:50 am Post subject:
Ah yes, the views and the cheap plonk! I forget how fortunate I am... It's still blooming damp though

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:52 am Post subject:
You can get containers that have cladding and I would assume insulation between the cladding and the wall. The one I have seen seemed quite good. Funny I was having a sort of dream about a shipping container house early this morning-no idea why, as it isn't something I would ever really consider.

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 7:55 am Post subject:
Yup, internal cladding/insulation, thus allowing for any kind of wall coating. I was (in one of my previous lives) a construction project manager, and never got as excited about a house as I am about the container home... but I have yet to start dreaming about them!

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 8:05 am Post subject:
https://inhabitat.com/six-oaks-is-a-modern-yet-rustic-shipping-container-home-in-california/ This is what we are aiming for, what do you think? https://containerhomebooks.com/

Piggyphile

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 8:23 am Post subject:
Interesting and a bit modern for my tastes but if you like modern then great. My worries would be condensation as has already been said and longevity of the exterior, will it deteriorate in 20 or 30 years? Will heat warp it and rain rust it? It would certainly be a great project and fun to design.

Flamin'Panda

Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 464
Location: Azores

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 8:29 am Post subject:

Nope the heat wont warp it. But yes, lots to think about regarding the condensation. Designs don't have to be modern, there are some great ideas out there that are more traditional. It's just to my mind a fantastic use of something that is lying around, that has already used its carbon footprint, and is a challenge. As with any steel (boats for example), a good chipping hammer, wire brush and paint are the all that is needed to maintain. And to be honest, as long as they last 40 years... I will either be pushing up the daisies or too senile to care!

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8600
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 14 8:30 am Post subject:
I know Emyr has been considering this...you could pm him as he has been a bit too busy to lurk here

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Energy Efficiency and Construction/Major Projects	All times are GMT Page 1, 2, 3, 4 Next
Page 1 of 4

View Latest Posts