Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

stopwastingmymoney

(2,143 posts)
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 10:52 AM Feb 2020

Anyone else interested in building with shipping containers?

Our 15 year plan includes retirement and finding a couple acres to build our home with chickens, dogs and serious gardening

I’ve started making sketches for a 3 container camp we can live in for a few years and then later Airbnb.

Has anyone done anything like this?

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Anyone else interested in building with shipping containers? (Original Post) stopwastingmymoney Feb 2020 OP
I've always been intrigued by it, Drum Feb 2020 #1
Building a dry storage building now. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #2
what did you pay for your containers? Kali Feb 2020 #4
$2.500 each. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #6
way cheaper than a gorilla shed! Kali Feb 2020 #8
I have some friends that have. Kali Feb 2020 #3
Keep them off the ground as that seems to leach up. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #7
I think it was mainly from using a ventless gas heater Kali Feb 2020 #9
Check out Grand Designs, Series 14 (4 of 10 shows): The Shipping Containers House Auggie Feb 2020 #5
Really cool, thank you stopwastingmymoney Feb 2020 #10
I love how setting the modules in a cross like that stopwastingmymoney Feb 2020 #11
Yeah ... Auggie Feb 2020 #12
Thanks for this! Drum Feb 2020 #15
I don't get the attraction. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2020 #13
Actually it is cheaper. You get your entire external structure stopwastingmymoney Feb 2020 #14

Drum

(9,775 posts)
1. I've always been intrigued by it,
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 10:58 AM
Feb 2020

...but my spouse is decidedly not

I’ve seen a lot of great example photos online, and thought wowee!

Wishing you success in this! -Drum

safeinOhio

(34,075 posts)
2. Building a dry storage building now.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:43 AM
Feb 2020

Have two set about 18 feet apart. level and on pads. Put a steel canopy roof on 5ft legs on top. Will cover those 5 ft walls, front and back with barn red pole barn steel siding and a sliding barn door on front. Very easy to do and way cheaper than a pole building 40X32 with 20 ft peak. Count count how many people stop to look and ask about it.

Kali

(55,737 posts)
3. I have some friends that have.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:50 AM
Feb 2020

biggest problem they have encountered is water condensation in the winter. beware. this is in "dry" Arizona too. the dripping ruined at least one computer.

safeinOhio

(34,075 posts)
7. Keep them off the ground as that seems to leach up.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:50 PM
Feb 2020

I'm going to get a couple of solar vent fans for mine to keep em dry.

stopwastingmymoney

(2,143 posts)
11. I love how setting the modules in a cross like that
Tue Feb 25, 2020, 02:28 PM
Feb 2020

Gives it two decks upstairs and the large covered patio downstairs

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
12. Yeah ...
Tue Feb 25, 2020, 04:13 PM
Feb 2020

it's a great design. Gives one a lot to think about.

One thing that I'd never consider was the need for structural reinforcement, especially after adding doors and windows. Load bearing and even non-load bearing walls.

Grand Designs is a killer show. I'm addicted. There's one house built along the Thames that can float during a flood. People have converted all sorts of structures into houses -- cinemas, public buildings, castles. One guy even dug a cave! Think there are episodes on YouTube. I watch via Netflix.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,691 posts)
13. I don't get the attraction.
Tue Feb 25, 2020, 07:42 PM
Feb 2020

Seems to me you could stick frame a 20x40 box for around the same money and not have to deal with all the drawbacks - insulation, condensation, roofing, space to run wires and plumbing.

Something like a raised post and beam with a crawl space - if you don’t want the expense of a foundation.

stopwastingmymoney

(2,143 posts)
14. Actually it is cheaper. You get your entire external structure
Wed Feb 26, 2020, 10:25 AM
Feb 2020

For a few thousand dollars and it sits lightly on the land because they only need a small foundation pad at each corner.

My plan is for something rustic so I don’t mind the look. I want spray the exteriors black and use cedar trim for windows, doors and a cornice across the front.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»DIY & Home Improvement»Anyone else interested in...