Sunday, November 10, 2013

I'd call this a successful reuse of two shipping containers to make a cabin.


Still, I find it hard to believe that that is still cheaper than just putting up a simple stick built wall and roof.  But what do I know, as long as they don't leak or rust too bad, that's an undeniably nice living space.




10 comments:

  1. The military calls them CHU's. A "wet chu" has a toilet. CHU=Containerized Housing Unit. I've always thought that three or four of those bad boys, connected and finished off would make an adequate cabin. They need to be insulated because the metal walls are hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

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    1. On off beat concept done really well. I wonder what a shipping container in decent shape goes for these days?

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  2. 40' standard shipping containers are going for $2,400 each on E-Bay. Some are made for cold storage and are more expensive (not radically) and those insulated units are the models that you'd want to select for housing. 40'x8'x9' 6". With a 9.5' ceiling, they make for a good living dimension particularly when you can attach them together side-by-side. The example (above) shows that the builder adapted them by building a structure that joined them and added light, etc. That's how you'd want to go at it. IMHO

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    1. Yes, leaving a space between the containers for light was a stroke of genius. Probably for 30k you could get the containers to your property and set them up about like that , and have a really nice place. Perhaps that is our future.

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  3. But your cell reception inside will be the pits. Zero bars. been there. done that. Good news, lots of ambient radiation will get blocked too.

    --Hale

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    1. buy a cell repeater. problem solved.

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  4. must be careful during lighting...

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    1. Ha! I hear that! Likely the bolt will hit a taller, nearby tree, or the electricity will simply follow the outside of the container to the ground. You'd still get a jolt if you were touching the wall!

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  5. You can put a cell phone repeater to solve that problem. Additionally, the interior should be lined with something like 1/2 marine grade plywood with spray foam insulation in the space between the metal ribs and the wood. You can build loop holes or windows to taste simply by cutting. All kidding aside, it's not a bad way to go if you want a cabin. You can also bury one of them if you want a basement. Cover the metal box with sealant, and some sort of water wicking combination of gravel and sand to draw water away from the box in the ground and you're ready.

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  6. Aside from the advantage of having a highly secure lockable space on a new site immediately, the economics and aesthetics of it for a house just don't seem to add up for me.

    Shipping containers are designed to be stacked high, so massive unnecessary structure components in the corners. You are going to need to frame in windows anyway, I just don't see how it is easier/cheaper/better looking than building a timber frame?

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