Post Publication Addition: Since writing this article, I’ve learned an awful lot about ISBU homes. I’ve even teamed up with an expert on container homes, and together we’ve written a book. If you’re interested in living in an amazing container home yourself, my partner, Alex Klein, and I have written an introductory book on how to do it. Alex has built over 100 ISBU homes around the world, and even consults with Congress on using these containers for housing. The book is called Introduction to Container Homes and Buildings. Want to check it out? Head over here for more information.
If you’re a regular reader of The Greenest Dollar, then you probably already know that I’m enthralled with the idea of living in a micro home. For the uninitiated, a micro home is pretty much the backlash against the McMansion movement of the past twenty years.
The trend now is in the opposite direction. Hallelujah! We’re going Small. Green. Efficient.
That’s micro home living.
So, it is with the utmost excitement that I share this idea with you. And, the idea is constructing a home using old steel shipping containers.
Now, before you throw your mouse at the screen in disgust because those steel shipping containers are just too ugly to even think about being used as a house, just take a look for a moment at what’s possible and then we’ll talk…
Pretty amazing, right? All of those images are from ContainerCity.com, which is the website for Urban Space Management, a group of builders in London who are building entire communities, schools, and farmer’s markets using old freight containers.
These container homes funky, green, amazingly affordable, and comfortable. If you want to see more images (all of which will knock your socks off) they have a really amazing portfolio of past projects on their website. Again, which you can find here.
There’s also this really amazing clip from Modern Marvels that you can watch. It’s all about Container City, how the builders did it, and how much it costs to live there (you’ll be amazed at how cheap it is).
Can You REALLY Live In A Shipping Container?
Well, I’m new to this myself. When I originally discovered micro home living, I stumbled across a few people who had transformed shipping containers into homes, but I was so enthralled with the modernist designs of the pre-fab mini homes that I gave the freight homes a blind eye.
My mistake.
I stumbled across container homes again over the weekend, and this time it was a Eureka! moment. I mean, the idea of living in an recycled shipping container is just brilliant. It’s still a mini home because they’re not that big, and they’re way, WAY cheaper than the weeHouse or miniHome designs I was looking at (which were going to set me back at least $150,000, not including the land. Ouch!)
How much are shipping containers?
Well, after digging around online this weekend, it seems as if the average is $1,500 to $3,000 each. And, that’s for shipping crates that are 40 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft tall.
Important Addition: After this article posted, a fellow blogger/builder by the name of Ronin wrote in about his experiences building shipping container homes. He offered up some fascinating tips on pricing these out, which you can see in the comments below the article.
Another amazing thing about these shipping crates is that they’re made to stack on top of each other. If you watched the YouTube video about Container City then you know that every container is made exactly the same, which means they can easily be stacked. This leads to some funky, Lego-like structures that are fun and very interesting to look at.
So How Green Are Shipping Containers?
Shipping containers can be made as green as you want them to be.
Andrew and I are so enthralled with this idea that I think we’re going to go this route instead of buying a micro home. Our idea is to buy three containers, two of which we’ll combine and renovate into a living space, and one which we’ll leave separate for a home office/exercise space.
My goal is to incorporate wind and hydro power into our design so that we can be off-grid wherever we end up plopping our crates down. We’ve already come up with a really cool design (opening up the roof to allow tons of natural light in, as well as cutting plenty of oval windows like they did with the Container City project, and building a wrap-around deck).
Time for research mode.
Aren’t Shipping Containers Cold and Uncomfortable?
Well, obviously I’ve never been in one. But all the images I’ve seen thus far say the exact opposite. These freight containers are not dark, cold hovels to keep the rain off your head, and you won’t feel like a hobo if you live in one. Once you do some renovations, they can be incredibly inviting, warm spaces that let in far more light than my current home does.
People have cut away entire walls, opened up the roof, and stacked two or three or four willy-nilly to create living spaces that are amazingly inspiring.
You can also buy shipping containers that are already insulated, although I don’t know at this point how well they’re insulated.
And like all mini-homes, they’re also very cost-effective to live in. How much money do you think it takes to heat a 300 square foot living space? What about to cool one in the summer?
Answer: not a lot. Especially if you incorporate a small wood-burning stove.
Photo from Treehugger.com
This young couple (pic on right) in New Zealand transformed a small shipping container into a paradise house. Think they pay a lot of utilities?
No way.
More Shipping Container Resources
So, is your heart pumping with excitement like mine was this weekend? If so, awesome. Here’s a list of more resources you can check out to get you moving…
- RenaissanceRonin: Ronin’s blog is a must read if you want to learn more about living in a shipping container home. This post, here, would make a great start on his blog. And, he’s completely hilarious, so don’t miss it. Also, check out this post to help Ronin finish his shipping container home: “Interested In Shipping Containers? Then Help A Fellow Blogger”
- Prefab Modern
- This is a wonderful book all about Prefab Modern housing. It’s got tons of shipping container homes in there, and jaw dropping photographs. After reading this book, you’ll be on fire to live in one of these small homes. Highly recommend.
- Treehugger.com: 12 Shipping Container House Ideas- Lots of nice design ideas and pictures for this article.
- Container City- I know I’ve posted this link three times by now, but just in case you haven’t clicked on it yet…
- FabPreFab.com’s Container Bay- This site has an almost inexhaustable list of shipping container projects all around the globe. The rest of their site is also highly useful if you’re interested in seeing more modern, pre-fab mini homes. Highly recommend it!
- TruckertoTrucker.com- If you’re wanting to buy your own shipping crates, this trucking site has a really comprehensive list.
- ContainersNow.com- Another site selling shipping containers. This one’s great because they list prices, which is helpful.
- AccessContainer.com- This site has a ton of different types of shipping containers, and even a model that’s specially cut out to become a home (which would save money from hiring someone to do that). If you click on “Container”, the precut containers are the last link down the page, where it says “45′ Container Home”.
- ZeroCabin.com- This site is amazing. Seriously. Go here now, and just scroll down. These shipping container homes will blow you away.
- Hive Modular- This architect was recommended by Ronin, and his shipping crate designs are completely fabulous. Check out it.
More Micro Home Resources
If you’re new to micro home living, then you might want to investigate these resources…
- Shameless Plug #1- “Why Live In A MicroHome?”- Posted here at TheGreenestDollar.com
- Shameless Plug #2- “Building A Strawbale Home”- Posted here at TheGreenestDollar.com
- Small House Society- The ultimate resources for small home/micro home living.
- Tiny House Village- This is a brand new organization that’s trying to link people interested in micro home living with other like-minded folks to create micro home villages. Definitely a worthy cause!
Last Word…
I’m sure I’ll be posting more articles on this topic. ISBU homes are definitely taking off, so stay tuned!
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I’m VERY interested in Ronin’s above-mentioned e-book on building with containers and will earnestly consider investing in it. It might be a tad late for my 1st home (NB NOT house, as I am going to live in it
… but for the second home, or 2nd story, it might come in handy!
God bless all of you!
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel,
I think it’s going to be a great book! We’ll soon be offering it up for presale. Anyone who buys it before it’s out will get a nice discount, as well as some great bonuse ebooks that regular buyers won’t get. I’ll be sure to let everyone know when the pre-sale takes effect!
Best,
Heather
Contrary to Kat’s statement spray foam is NOT the most efficient form of insulation. It gets VERY expensive and does not have the R-value of the standard pink stuff. It is not worth the money. Also don’t fret Ronin, containers don’t NEED to be placed on poured concrete they do just fine on block. Also having a steel exterior is beneficial for many reasons and not covering it is actually safer in an electrical storm it creates a direct path to the ground. But to each their own I’m sure every situation is a little different. That is whats so great about container homes, theres a lot of room for experimentation based on specific conditions.
Hi Jen,
Ah… the “myths and urban legend” of “ISBU ingenuity…”
Okay, as we’ve demonstrated, there are many ways to “float” a container home.
Each building site and budget will point you at the “right” solution if you pay attention.
The problem with floating a container home on (masonry) blocks is that the block isn’t a permanent part of the structure. Unless you attach it to something permanently… something like…um… a foundation.
If you’re trying to float a shed or a workshop in your backyard, it’d work, but for a real house, it’s foolhardy and prone to failure at best.
The phrase “Building houses on sand” comes to mind…
And there are as many ways to insulate a box as well. But to say that closed cell foam doesn’t have the r-value of fiberglass batts is just nonsense. An inch of closed cell foam will give me an r-value of 7. Show me a fiberglass batt, one inch thick, that can do that.
Admittedly, closed cell foam is more expensive, especially if you have a contractor apply it. However, there ARE kits available that allow the home builder to apply his own spray on closed cell foam, just like the big boys do, at reasonable rates. And it’s easily workable, as it hardens quickly.
Sometimes… within minutes, actually.
And those achieved closed cell foam r-values exceed similar applications of fiberglass batt by MANY times, and aren’t prone to some of the break-downs of fiberglass over time.
Additionally, it serves several other purposes, including making your home stronger (that stuff sticks to everything like duct tape, and aids in dealing with shear and lateral forces) leak resistant, bug and rodent resistant (they don’t like it), vapor resistant (but don’t feed the dog chili!), and provides all this in an “easily encased and enclosed” package, like stucco, siding, or veneer.
I don’t recommend that people just “leave the steel exposed” without some kind of lightning protection. The beauty of Container Homes is that you can build them anywhere, and many families build them in “places rather remote and off the beaten track.” That house may be the only steel mass for miles. I’ve gotten several reports from families about container homes that have been struck by lightning.
I personally know of ISBU dwellings in Iraq and Afghanistan that were struck by lighting.
(Although I’ll add the note that luckily, no home that we ever built has been similarly struck, to our knowledge.)
Container home building isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires new skills, and presents new challenges. Just because you own a skillsaw or a hammer, or you’ve built a “wood” home, doesn’t mean that you can just “go build a container home.”
There’s a LOT to learn. In over 30 years of repurposing these boxes (and I’m talking about building over a hundred), we’re still learning new tricks.
Lot’s of people “talk” about building container homes, but few actually HAVE done so. Choose your design and contracting team carefully. Building one or two homes using ISBU’s doesn’t make you anything close to an expert.
Start by asking those guys how many Container Homes they’ve actually built. Then, go talk to the owners. THEN… engage them in serious conversations. You’re investing in something that’s investing in your family. Do your homework.
Man… talking about Container homes is getting to be like talking about religion or politics…
In the end, you do what you do, and your mileage may vary.
Good luck with your projects!
Ronin
Hi, Heather
. I’m blown away about the whole pre fab thing and I’m a raving fan of,
Rocio Romero: (http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.htm)
and of course, Michelle Kaufman: ( http://www.mkd-arc.com/homes/ )
Then I stumbled upon…shipping containers? I’ll get right to the point.I am determined to build a modern home out of shipping containers and you will too after you see the designs on this website:
http://logicalhomes.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=62
I don’t know if you’ve heard of Logical Homes but from what I understand they might be one of the few compnies in the USA that you might consider when building a home from shipping containers.
So my company and I have begun “piloting” a container home. I’m looking for a company in the US, possibly Michigan that has built a container home, who I would be able to ask questions to. I’m literally starting at square one with land and zoning and am so confused.
Hi Kayla,
You should talk to my friend over at Renaissance Ronin: http://renaissanceronin.wordpress.com/
He’s built over 100 ISBU homes and definitely knows how to do this!
first I must say thank you for this informative site! I have recently purchased a container to use as storage but I plan to include it in my future home. I would like to receive a notification of the for mentioned book being written on building a container home. I have been on the fence over what direction to go in building a home. I live in an area that has hot summers and cold winters with wind that seems to be on the move about 65% of the time. I look forward to the wealth of information that may be able to help in my decision which appears to be leaning in the cargo way. thank you again
crissy
Good Afternoon All
I am very interested in building a container home in Queensland (Sunshine Coast)
Has any one done any engeneering culculations on the modifications to help get past the Councils?
Look forward to seeing more affordable green homes and less monuments of ego.
Cheers, Tom
Is there a do it yourself CD on making a home from a shipping container? Think I saw a CD adv. many months back around $58. can’t find the online ad, now that I want to build a shipping container home, wouldn’t you know-this computer can’t handle online downloads- thanks
What else to say…it’s great! Modern and simple stuff doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. I am in the process of make-your-own, currently gathering information on shipping container houses and housing (found great ebook http://steelhouseplan.com/) and hopefully will be able to document all on my website. Not sure why so many people have negative opinion, not all of us are rich enough to build mansions.
ebooks are all well and good but I’m a bit old-school in that I love the feel of paper and the heft of a book. Any chance of hard copies coming out?
@Ralph- We’re still working on the ebook version, but if it does well once its published then we’ll probably self-publish a few thousand copies (if we can find a self-publishing company that will use soy ink and recycled paper!).
I love the idea of re-using something old in an unexpected, creative way. My mother-in-law turned me onto this site, and this article in particular, about two weeks ago and I have to say that you’ve really inspired me to live off the grid in an eco-friendly way. I’ve always wanted to be completely self-sufficient, but thanks to your research, I now know that it can be done fairly afford-ably – suddenly my dreams are within reach! You’ve even inspired me to do my own writing/research into off-the-grid living whereas once it was just on the To-Do list. And I must say you compile the information in a chatty, DIY-for-the-layman, easy-to-read style. Thanks for an informative, fun read!
~Nicole
I’m new to the site but saw there was a book underway last year. Did it ever get finished? Is there a link somewhere?
Thanks!
Oops! Just realized you responded to a similar question in April. I’m waiting patiently (sort of). ; )
Oh! And I’m very exited to have found your site!
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you all know that our first ebook in our series of “How to Build An ISBU Home” is finished!
You can find out more information on it here: http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/06/ok-our-first-isbu-e-book-is-shipping/
This first ebook is almost 100 pages, and it’s an introduction to building with ISBU containers. There are also 20 house plans in here that really show you what you can do with these containers! And at $9.95, it’s a screaming deal.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Wow, this is one of the most informative posts on container houses I’ve seen! Thanks for all of the links to the various blogs and resources – great stuff!
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