Category Archives: Uncategorized

Shipping Container Homes- Shipping Containers for sale

shipping containers for saleShipping Containers for sale:

Before attempting to purchase a shipping container do your home work.  You need to be perfectly clear on your wants and your needs.  Like all things for sale you can get a “rose” or a “lemon” so again, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Shipping Containers for Sale – New verses Used

This is a decisions you will have to consider when purchasing your shipping container.  In reality you can purchase a good used shipping container for 1/3 of what retail might be on a new shipping container.  One of the advantages of using a shipping container for a home or residence is the fact that most shipping containers are used for “dry” storage.  That means all of the content of the shipping container must remain dry in all weather conditions.  It doesn’t matter if you have the container parked on your lot in Miami or if it is on the high seas the shipping container should remain “dry”!

Grading the Shipping Container for Sale

Shipping containers are graded just like perishable items you would find in a grocery store. The following is  how the shipping containers are graded and what makes the grades.

Grades of shipping containers are “A” through “E” with “A” being the best and “E” being anything but.

A) New Built, CSC plated, ISO standard, wind and water tight.

B) Used containers, CSC Plated, ISO standard, Some minor denting and rust Suitabke for shipping or storage, Wind and water tight.

C) Used containers, CSC Plated. ISO Standard, Surface rust and general wear tear more evident.Wind and water tight, Suitable for shipping and storage.

D) Used containers,ISO Standard, Surface rust and general wear tear more evident.Wind and water tight, Suitable for shipping and storage.

E) Used Container, Heavy wear and tear evident. May be holed but secure for storage items not effected by weather or for temporary boundaries.

Shipping Containers for Sale

In conclusion you can purchase just about any Shipping Container online from any place because there are so many to chose from and they are so easy to deliver.  So now it is up to you.  What are your needs and new verses used.  When looking for that shipping container for sale, please consider our friends at Olympia. Shipping Containers for Sale

 

Shipping Container Homes- Doomsday Preppers

Shipping Container Homes – Doomsday Preppers

There is a lot of talk these day about the supposedly Apocalypse that is going to take place December 21, 2012. God I hope not!  Cause I ain’t ready! I guess the biggest reason is because I have heard this all to many times before.  Heck, about 20 years ago the Jehovah Witness’s were visiting regularly trying to scare the pants off of me and my family.  The bible as I read it says no one will know the end of times.  Sure we will see signs but that it.

Shipping Container Homes – Doomsday Preppers – Shelter

Ok now that is out of the way lets get to the reason of the article.  I was thinking, if I am wrong about the end of days, what is the quickest way I could thing of to make a disaster proof shelter for me and my family.  Yep you guest it.  Since this website is a bought shipping container homes, it would be a shipping container! Shipping containers are ready available and are easy to transport and set up.  Heck, shipping container homes are even becoming very stylish!  Up at the top of this page is a prime example of a spacish shipping container home.  It is a two story with a huge amount of open area for cross ventilation.  It looks nice too.

Shipping Container Homes – Doomsday Preppers- Shelter made easy

The biggest advantage of choosing a shipping container for my doomsday shelter is because it is self contained and I can place it in a side of a hill or bury it in the ground with little trouble. shipping container doomsday shelterWhen using a shipping container home in the soil you do have to take precautions.  The number one is the possibility of crushing in the roof or sides of the shipping container when covering it with the soil.  You can greatly reduce the risk of this by adding the soil in lifts.  Never place more that 2ft at a time.   By doing so the soil has time to compact with out crushing the sides of the shipping container. Adding soil to the top of the sunken shipping container is a little different.  It is better if you ad a sub roof to the container by placing 6″ steel insulated panels.  There are two types of these panels.  There is a utility grade an a structural grade.  Use the structural grade.  Because Shipping containers are usually 9′ in width you may be able to find “cut offs” at a discount rate.

Shipping Container Home – Doomsday Preppers – Shelter- Water Proofing

The next step is water proofing the shipping container home.  I found that rolling on a thick coat of roofing asphalt works really well.  I like this method because it works and is the lest expensive way that I know of. If you have money, and want to spend it since you won’t need it, Ryno Guard truck bed spray is a great choice.  It hardens and pretty much is indestructible. You can get this stuff at most hardware stores these days. Conclusion to my Doomsday Shelter. If I had to have shelter in a hurry I definitively would consider a Shipping Container as a home.  There cheap, Ready and there are plenty of them.  So if you have a bad feeling about December 21, 2012 consider a shipping container and act now.  You may be glad yo did! See ya on the other side.

Shipping Container Homes – Codex Box

codex boxCodex Box? Shipping Container Homes-

Ok you are here for information on “Codex Box”.  The reality is I had never heard of a codex box until I started getting into Shipping Container Homes.  In most instances a Codex Box is another name for a Shipping Container.  Just like the regular shipping container they are modular.  Meaning they are uniform in sizes and weights.  It appears that the term “Codex Box” is a conjunction of container express box.  That only makes since.

Codex Box-shipping container homes start-

Codex Box homes and Shipping Container Homes came out of necessity.  Ports all over the world began seeing stacks and stock piles of a banded Codex Boxes. So what do you do with them?

codex boxes

The first idea was to sell them to scrap yards.  This is a good idea until the price of steel took a dive.  So as people do they started thinking of what they could do to increase the value of the codex box.  Never discount the ingenuity of people.  Out of necessity ideas happen.

The first idea of turning a codex box into a habitable home probably came from the back roads somewhere.  I don’t know of how many shipping containers I have seen going through the back roads.  It seems that rural areas have had ideas on how to re-purpose codex boxes for as long as they have been in existence.

Codex Box Homes- Why?

Think about it for a minute.  People have been living in modular dwellings (homes) since the turn of they last century.  Certainly codex boxes meat the same definition of a module. Now lets look at some of the finer points of having a codex box as a home…

  • Codex Boxes are very inexpensive.  They cost less that the steel is worth that they are made of. Usually about a $1.00 buck a pound.
  • Easy to transfer. The 2 most popular sizes 8×40 and 8×20 can be transported by any semi with a container truck (container truck-portable wheels)
  • Instant dry shelter-  From the moment the codex box is dropped on the ground you have instant shelter from the elements.  It does not matter if you are in the snowy north or the desert.
  • No permits to get started.  In the states you will have to get a permit for “permanent” electric. In a pinch you can live off a temporary power pole.  If you are in an area of survival, a generator works fine be it gas, wind, solar, or magnet.
  • Ease of adding on.  By it’s very definition it is “modular” so you can ad to your codex box as desired.  You are not restricted to just horizontal.  Multi story homes are becoming the norm.
  • No limitations.  There is certainly no limitation of possibilities of architectural designs for the interior or exterior of your codex box.

Codex Box Homes- Go for it

Like I said at the beginning of this article, Codex Boxes are the same as Shipping Containers.  That means anything you can do with a shipping container you can also do with a codex box!

codex boxes

Codex Box Home

 

 

 

Shipping Container Homes – Adding Windows and Doors

shipping container homeShipping Container Homes – Adding Windows and Doors

is really not all that difficult.  I think what intimidates people is the fact they are working with steel.  I to was intimidate of working with steel coming form a carpenter back ground.  After I began working with steel more and more I found I actually like it better.

The main thing with working with shipping container homes and its steel exterior is you have to measure twice before you make a cut. The second thing you have to consider is what kind of interior trim are you going to use.

Choosing the correct type of windows and doors for Shipping Container Homes

When you start your search for your doors and windows be sure to only look for “flanged or finned” type. Look for the ones with fixed flanges or fins.  The other type is flanges and fines that you have to install in a grove in the window or door frame.  The reason I don’t care for this type is they need an extra step that we don’t have to ensure they don’t leak.

shipping container homes window door installation

 Shipping Container Homes Window and Door Framing

The type of framing you use will largely be dictated by your furring size. If you are using 2×4 pt for your furring, this is what you will use for your windows and door frames.  The only difference is how you are will attach the frame to the container.  I always use liquid nails and caulking.

The hole size will be 1/8″ larger than the door or window its self (not the flange/ fin). The door and window will be installed from the out side.  I generally use again, liquid nails and caulking for the install.  I never use screws unless it is absolutely necessary.  Some time the exterior of the container gets ripples and makes it necessary.

The frame of course will be installed from the inside on the shipping container.  The frame size will be dictated by the type of interior your shipping container home will have.  You need to plan out if you want the interior trim to die into the window or fit snug between the window and the wood frame.

shipping container home window door frame

Shipping Container Home Window and Door installation Exterior Flashing (optional)

If you are going to install an exterior trim around the openings it would be a good idea to ad flashing around the fins of the doors and windows.  Most flashing now days are the peel and stick type.  I tell you I like this a lot better than the old metal  ”Z” flashing.  The biggest advantage is it just sticks.  It neve made since to me to have to penetrate flashing with screws or nails.  To me that is just another place that water can find a place in.

shipping container homes window and door flashing

There are other ways to install windows and doors into your shipping container home but these are the ways that have worked for me.  I you have any question on how Shipping Container Homes Windows and Doors installation just shoot me an email.

 

Shipping Container Homes- Foundations

shipping container homes foundationsShipping Container Homes Foundations

Choosing a foundation for your shipping container home can be challenging.  There are some guidelines to consider to make it easier. Of course location is the number one concern when choosing the foundation.  Lets go through a few scenarios, but before we go any further always consult a local engineer for the specifics in your area.

Shipping Container Homes Foundations on grade

This is just like what it sounds like “on grade”.  On grade means on the ground.  What you would normally do is have the bottom of the storage container a minimum of 8″ above the highest elevation of the ground.

In Florida where I live we use 2,000 s/f compaction as a base line, again you may have to consult with an engineer.  Also we are figuring a 8″ x 40″ (320 s/f) container.  We also are using a dead load of 35 lb s/f and a line load of 40 lb s/f for a total of 75 lbs s/f.  If we multiply that times the floor area (75 x 320 = 24,000 lbs. This is important because we have to size the foundation accordingly.

Shipping Container Homes Foundations “Pads”

There are basically two types of pads. Poured in place and Precast. Either one will have to be in the ground.  The depth in the ground depends of your geographical location.  Frost lines is the big determining factor.  Believe it or not Florida has a 12″ frost line.  That means any foundation that is going into the ground has to be a minimum of 12″ into the ground.  The further north, the deeper you have to go.  Check your area.shipping container homes foundation pads

As for size of the pads this is where the loads come into play.  We are going to use the total load of 24,000 lb s/f.  The pads sizes are going to be based on the total amount you want to use. Example: We want to use 8 pads, we would divide the 24,000 by the amount 8 which comes to 3,000lb load on each pad.  Now remember the soil compaction of 2,000 lb s/f? So we will divide 3,000 lb s/f (load each pad) by 2,000 lb s/f (compaction of one s/f of soil) or each pad needs to be a minimum of 16″ x 16″ .   The height is not that important but has to be able to support 3,000 lbs.  There is another consideration and that is “topple factor”.  This is the amount of force it will take to “topple” the shipping container home over.

Shipping Container Homes Foundations “piers”

Piers are like pads but generally are “above” grade.  These should be sized in the same way as the “pads”.  I would recommend  no smaller that 16″ x 16″ and no less than 8 piers.  Just like with the pads it is very important to “tie” the shipping container home down according to your location.

shipping container homes foundation piers

Shipping Container Homes Foundations “Spread footer”

A spread footer is the term used for the common 16″ x 10″ footer used on stem wall construction.  The footer is continuous and reinforced with (2) #5 rebar.  Generally the minimum concrete compression is 2,500 psi s/i.

This kind of foundation is good if you are wanting your shipping container home more permanent.  This is also a good method to raise the home and have storage below.

shipping container homes foundations spread footer

These are three of the more common foundations for shipping container homes.  Of course there are others.  I will make mention that you can use timbers and they work quit well.

If you have any question on foundations for your shipping container homes just give me an email.

How to Insulate your Storage Container Home

How to insulate your Storage Container Home-

No doubt that you can save big bucks by using storage containers for a home or other.  In fact you help the environmental by being green by re purposing those storage containers.

One of the problems for the novice week end warrior is how to attached things such as insulation, drywall, electrical and other stuff like that.  The truth is, it is not much different from any other type of construction.

Storage Container Home- Insulation

There is two types of insulation I would recommend.  The first being a 1″ foil backed insulation board.  You can use an adhesive like liquid nails to apply it directly to the steel walls of the storage container.

This works extremely well.  After the board is applied to the container wall and is secured and dried you would ad furring to the face of the foam board.  What this does is create an air space between the foam board insulation and the back side of your finish wall material.

storage container home insulation

The second type of insulation I would recommend is liquid foam.  The thickness of the foam will be regulated by the thickness of your furring.  Using this method you first apply furring to the storage container walls via the liquid adhesive.  After the furring has had time to set up you would apply the foam.  Don’t forget that the foam expands so be sure to leave plenty of room.

storage container home insulation

 Storage Container Home- Ventilation

A consideration when you insulate your storage container home is ventilation. You will need to have a means to have fresh air into your container home.  With most conventional homes this is accomplished with windows or with the ac system. You will need to have 1cf of fresh air for every 100 s/f of floor space. (check your local code).

The tighter your Storage Container Home is from the elements the more crucial it is to have the ventilation.  Next time we will learn how to ad an opening to your Storage Container Home.

Shipping container Homes- Container Sizes

Shipping container Homes- Container Sizes

There is no doubt that shipping container homes are tough. Built tough from weathering corrugated steel, these incredible tough building blocks of international trade are designed to withstand stacking, stuffing and strapping and are reused over and over again. There is an estimate of over 18 million of these containers floating, riding and flying around the earth today, but the most recent sustainable design trend has found these containers revamped to contain a more delicate cargo: People.

A Shipping Container Homes-Think about it 

With the current economy and the threat of the world coming to an end, a shipping container home could very well make perfect sense.  There is a glut of used shipping containers also known as cargo containers and companies are more than glad to sell and deliver them cheap.  Below are the common sized shipping containers:

Exterior

Internal

Door Openings

Weight

Size/Type

Length

Width

Height

Length

Width

Height

Width

Height

Tare

20′ Dry Van

19’10½”

8′

8′ 6″

19′ 3″

7′ 8″

7′ 9⅞”

7′ 8″

7′ 5″

5,050

40′ Dry Van

40′

8′

8′ 6″

39′ 5″

7′ 8″

7′ 9⅞”

7′ 8″

7′ 5″

8,000

40′ High Cube

40’

8′

9′ 6″

39′ 5″

7′ 8″

8′ 10″

7′ 8″

8′ 5½”

8,775

45 Foot High Cube

45’

8′

9′ 6″

44′ 5″

7′ 8″

8′ 10″

7′ 8″

8′ 5½”

9,810

20′ Refrigerated

19’10½”

8′

8′ 6″

17′ 11″

7′ 6″

7′ 6″

7′ 5″

7′ 3″

6,503

40′ Refrigerated

40′

8′

8′ 6″

37′ 11″

7′ 6″

7′ 6″

7′ 6″

7′ 6″

9,750

40′ HC Refrigerated

40′

8′

9′ 6″

37′ 11″

7′ 6″

8′ 4″

7′ 6″

8′ 4″

9,590

As you can see there is a multitude of sizes to choose from.  The way the containers are delivered is by a roller bed truck.  So as long as there is room for the container there is room.

Shipping Container Homes and floor plans 

You can find just about any style and shape of floor plan and exterior elevations for shipping container homes.  In the near future we will be offering a few “free” floor plans just to get you thinking.  Eventually I would like to have a whole community sharing Ideas on shipping container homes living.

shipping container homes

A typical Shipping Container FloorPlan

Building a Shipping Container Home

If you have any skills in construction you should have no problem renovating the shipping container into a livable habitat.  The main structure is there and all of the interior is cosmetic.  In the future we will be posting steps to finishing off a shipping container home.

Shipping Container Homes

Shipping Container Homes

There are many benefits to living in a shipping container home , and more and more people are starting to realize this and take action. If you are already lucky enough to have built your own and/or already live in one, you’ll know these benefits first hand and will have experienced them for yourself.

Much cheaper than conventional building methods of timber-framed buildings, and brick and mortar buildings, used containers are modular, flexible in design (and can be made to look absolutely beautiful!), durable, eco-friendly, and just an all-round winner when it comes to building your own home.

Over the next few paragraphs I’m going to outline some of the benefits of living in used shipping containers homes.

Shipping Container Homes Economical to build…

Although the price of containers is currently on the rise (due to various factory closures inChinaduring 2009 and early 2010), you can still pick up a fairly good bargain. As the global recession starts to ebb and global trade routes begin to get busier again, the production of shipping containers will increase also. You’ll start to see container prices start to dip again, or at the very least remain stable.

You can currently pick up a used container for around $1,500USD. That’s a base price of $1,500USD for 305sq feet of floor space. Not bad when you compare it to the price of more traditional forms of construction.

So to conclude this point, used shipping container homes are much more economical to build than more conventional building methods.

Eco-Friendly (Green Living)

So how green can shipping container homes living be?

The answer: They can be as green as you want them to be.

If you want to go down the truly green route, then think of your home more as an ‘eco-pod’. You could produce your own energy by putting a few solar panels on the roof. You can use hydro if you’re close to a river or fast-flowing stream.

You can apply a ‘Green/Living Roof’ to the top of your containers which will aide in insulation and greatly reduce your heating costs (in the winter) and cooling costs (in the summer).

Shipping Container Homes are Durable and Weather-proof

Consider the fact that shipping containers are built to withstand the most unforgiving weather conditions, travelling hundreds of thousands of miles aboard open-top trans-oceanic shipping-container ships… Built to have a minimum working life of 20 years before being decommissioned. After that, these containers, placed in a fixed position and maintained, have an almost infinite lifespan.

Made of pre-fabricated steel and welded together, they are made to be rigid and strong, and very hard-wearing. This makes them hugely practical in areas of high geological activity, such as earthquake zones and hurricane hotspots.

Shipping container homes can easily hold out against wind speeds of up to 175mp/h (281km/h) when anchored with pylons…which is easily done. Every building should have suitable foundations whether it be from used shipping containers or a traditional build.

Conclusion

Above I’ve outlined the three main benefits most home-owners will immediately notice. They are in fact three of the main things many people look at when buying any type of home. It just goes to show the explosion in shipping container homes in the past few years is totally justifiable, and why so, so many people are turning to these containers to build their own dream homes.
Shipping Container Homes
Shipping Container Dimensions

shipping container homes