Shipping container housing

In recent years, shipping container housing has become an increasingly popular choice for people seeking modern, eco-friendly, and economical solutions for their homes. This trend is not limited to specific regions but is spreading worldwide, including the Czech Republic. So why are more and more people opting for container housing? Let’s take a look at the main advantages, design options, and practical aspects of this innovative way of living.

Container housing is financially and time-efficient. High prices for building materials and labor, as well as time constraints, have led many companies to the idea of creating quality and dream homes by assembling several shipping containers. Living in a shipping container can meet even the most demanding ideas of quality housing. From a small weekend cottage to a fully functional permanent residence made up of several shipping containers. Residential shipping containers can also be used for building offices or simply as construction units for companies.

Container housing exactly as envisioned

From impersonal steel skeletons that are no longer needed for shipping, a dream house from your childhood imagination can quickly become a reality. If you decide to build with containers, you have many options when choosing and designing. The modular system allows you flexibility and customization of the building according to your needs and ideas. You can choose both the size and design according to your wishes. This concept gives you the freedom to create the building exactly as you want.

What is additionally a huge advantage is that the original building does not have to be final, but you can always easily add another module according to your needs in the future. The interior design is also up to you and is limited only by your imagination. You can have small windows or modern large windows all the way to the floor…

Advantages of container housing

Container housing offers several key advantages that attract more and more people. The main benefits include:

Speed of construction: Due to the modular nature of containers, homes can be built very quickly, often within a few weeks. This process is much faster than traditional construction methods.
Lower costs: Building with containers is often cheaper than traditional constructions. The containers themselves are available at relatively low prices, and the construction process requires less labor.
Environmental sustainability: Recycling used containers for construction purposes is a sustainable way to reduce waste while minimizing the demand for new building materials.
Variability and flexibility: Container homes can be easily tailored to individual needs. The modular system allows for combining and expanding individual modules according to requirements.

Design options and customization

One of the biggest attractions of container housing is the ability to customize the design according to individual preferences. Containers can be easily modified and connected into various configurations. Popular options include:

Single-story and multi-story houses: Containers can be stacked on top of each other to create multi-story houses. This option allows for efficient use of space on small plots.
Combination of different modules: The modular system allows for combining different types of containers, opening up wide possibilities for creative design.
Interior modifications: The interior spaces of containers can be easily adapted to needs. Modern container homes offer fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable living areas.

Practical aspects of living in containers

Although container housing brings many advantages, there are also several practical aspects to consider:

Insulation and heating: Metal containers require quality insulation to ensure thermal comfort in winter and summer. However, modern technologies enable effective insulation and heating solutions.
Building permits: Before starting construction, it is necessary to obtain the required building permits and adhere to local building regulations.
Maintenance and durability: Metal structures require regular maintenance to withstand corrosion and other weather effects. However, with a quality coating and proper care, containers can last for decades.

Inspiration and successful projects

In the Czech Republic, there are several successful projects demonstrating how container housing can be elegant and functional. Companies already offer a wide range of container homes, from small units to large multi-story complexes. Their projects include modern design, high-quality execution, and the possibility of customization according to individual needs. However, we at HZ-containers.com do not focus on conversions to container housing. We can, however, offer you all types of shipping containers needed for building container housing.

The future of container housing

Container housing has a promising future due to its flexibility, economy, and environmental sustainability. This trend continues to grow and is gaining popularity not only among individuals but also among architects and construction companies. With increasing demands for eco-friendly housing and efficient resource use, it is expected that container homes will play an important role in the future of construction.

Container housing thus represents a modern, sustainable, and economical alternative to traditional construction methods. The main advantages include the speed of construction, lower costs, ecological sustainability, and design variability. With proper insulation and maintenance, container homes can offer comfortable and stylish living. This trend has a promising future, and more people are choosing this innovative way of living.

Container house price = affordable living

The fact that shipping container housing is affordable attracts many people. High-end technologies in heating, insulation, windows, and recovery are used in residential container houses, ensuring maximum comfort and energy savings.

The price depends on the size and condition of the used shipping container, but on average, it costs 2,000 – 4,000 euro for an area of about 30m2. For a family house, you typically need 2-4 containers depending on your plans for the final layout of the house and the number of rooms. However, the final price depends on what all you want in your house.

You also collect plus points for ecology. Not only will you build a house from already used or discarded shipping containers, but you will also save the containers themselves. Because without you, they would have to melt unsparingly and demandingly. In addition, you also save other materials without which a new brick house or wooden building would not do.

A basic house from a 30m2 shipping container will cost around 40 thousand euro.

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Proper insulation of shipping container house is of the utmost importance

Most constructions for housing made of containers are placed on footings, so a base plate is not even needed. However, it is necessary to insulate the container well so that the house is not cold in the winter. That is why we recommend definitely choosing underfloor heating. Quality insulation is needed not only from the floor, but also from the walls and roof. In summer, quality insulation will protect you from the heat and the house will survive both frosts and high temperatures.

Houses are clad from the inside and the outside, where there is either a classic facade or wood paneling. Here, however, you need to think about the fact that wood needs to be processed and cared for over time. But the construction looks better overall.

How long will the house last?

Shipping containers are made of strong anti-corrosion alloy steel that must withstand the changing climate at sea. So when you factor in exposure to UV rays, salt, weather conditions and moisture – the container really lasts a long time.

No housing from containers has been here for more than a few decades, so it is difficult to estimate its lifespan, but it is expected to be really long and compared to a classic brick house or wood construction will definitely not be any worse.

What all needs to be arranged for container housing?

In addition to a building permit, you need a project which will be drawn up by the building contractor as part of the construction of a house from a shipping container. You will sit down with the architects to discuss your idea of modern living, who will incorporate it into the visualization and come up with layouts. Subsequently, the designer will take care of it, who will process the necessary documentation.

The construction contractor will mark where water, electricity, and waste will be brought into the floor plan of the foundation structure, and as soon as the authority issues a building permit, an almost finished house will be brought to the site, which will only be “finished” on site.

On the land where the shipping container house will stand, it is necessary to have all network connections. Once the house is delivered, the connections will only be completed. For such a construction intended for permanent residence you need land, electricity distribution, sewage and water.

How long does it take?

If everything goes well, you can move in in six months. Houses from two or more containers can already be manufactured while the building permit is being processed. This usually takes about half a year. And in essence, depending on the complexity of the construction, it can take as long as the realization of the house itself.

There are certain projects and types of tiny houses in the Czech Republic, which are limited in size to 15-25m² and are not subject to a building permit. You thus have a certain freedom in choosing the location, or even transporting it if the structural solution allows it. However, if the building is intended for permanent housing, it is subject to a building permit regardless of its size.

You don’t just have to build a house from shipping containers, they can be used to make a garage, a cabin from a shipping container, a swimming pool or an original cafe or bistro.