I want to build a house out of shipping containers

Question

Do I have to have a slab laid first?

Answer 1

I seen something about building a house out of shipping containers on HGTV or DIY network. So you might want to check their web sites.

Answer 2

First of all, I will be straight with you and tell you I don't know a lot about house building of any kind.  But I would say that yes, you have to have some sort of foundation for the crates.  Just like any other kind of house.

Answer 3

At first I was sceptical.Then I researched,I'll be darned.

My Best

Answer 4

If you want to make it a permanent home then I would recommend it as the ground needs to be level.  All the containers will have to be attached correctly so having the slab will make that a lot easier.  My parents are currently living in a shipping container while their house is being built. Theirs is an office donga used for offices on job sites and it has windows and a proper lockable door and it has air conditioning. You would need a electricity hookup to run this though.  If you were to use these sort of shipping containers it would save you a lot of money as you wouldn't need to hire an electrician to do the wiring as it will already be done. I am not sure how you would hook them all together but it is worth looking into it to see.  Just check with some of your local building contractors and see what they have available to rent or buy.

Answer 5

This question intrigues me. What would you do for windows? If the containers are metal, then you will need good insulation as well.

My contribution to your lateral thinking is that, rater than placing the containers close together, leave a room space between them. You will only have to put a roof overhead and perhaps cement or brick floor.You will have a third spce between which I am sure could be used as a laundry or space just like a verandah.

You could also create the same kind of roofed space if you place two more containers facing the first two. Leave as wide a passageway as you can safely roof. All you will have to do then is to build some kind of outside wall for the spaces.

  Contairer...........Container

                                        Container

  Container...........Container

You could have some doors facing the centre and some, the yard. You could also have four or five containers facing inwards, This would create an irregular space between which may be of advantage to you to taks away the 'boxy' look. Would love to see it  finished.

Answer 6

That is not a good idea. At all.

But yes, you do need a slab.

Oh, God...