Anyone who is considering a shipping container building project should familiarize themselves with both the benefits and drawbacks.
People are quick to point out the many advantages of their durability, availability and sustainability.
It’s easy to overlook that there are some downsides to using containers for construction. Most of these challenges can be solved with determination. Shipping containers are available in a variety of lengths and heights to accommodate demands. However, they are typically a standard width. Most shipping containers are eight feet wide. Once insulation and interior walls are added, the interior room width ends up a bit over seven feet. That’s quite narrow for nearly any type of room. Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and even utility closets are recommended to have a floor space of at least seven feet wide. This standard is used to promote safety, health and comfort. However, it’s not impossible to resolve this issue. Shipping containers can be placed next to each other, with portions of the walls cut out to enlarge the width. Unlike standard walls constructed with studs, the corrugated metal sheathing of a container eliminates the cavity that is used to house insulation. The insulation needs to be installed on either the inside or outside of the corrugated metal sheathing. Since insulation isn’t attractive or durable, it should be covered up. An interior wall can be added to create a better appearance and provide a convenient place to mount light switches, decorations, cabinets and more. If the insulation is located on the exterior of the container, cladding can be added overtop to protect it from weather and improve appearance.