Once a fringe concept, shipping container homes have solidified their place of interest in the mainstream for being durable, versatile, and aesthetically-interesting shelters for seasonal and full-time living.
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No longer just for transporting goods from port to port, shipping containers—also called intermodal containers and high cube containers—can be successfully converted into everything from tiny homes and cozy cabins to multi-level compounds.
Interested in the possibilities and realities of container home living? This deep dive guide is for container-curious folks who want to know more about living life inside the box. In this expert-driven article, we share everything you need to know about custom container living, including pro tips on buying shipping containers and how to save some cash during your build process. So read on and dig in!
First things first, a container home is a small living space converted from one or more, new or repurposed shipping containers into a custom modern home. Since a standard high cube shipping container is typically 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet, shipping container homes have a minimum 160 or 320 square foot floor plan to work with, though depending on how many you stack together you can achieve considerable square footage quite easily.
Unlike traditional housing and other types of popular alternative living spaces like prefab or tiny houses, container dwellings have the added benefit of being easily scalable. And of course, the industrial aesthetic is truly unique, especially when set in a natural setting.
Built of durable, weather-resistant steel that’s made to take a beating during international travel, shipping containers are designed purely for function. As mentioned, modularity allows you to stack more than one high cube container to create a larger floor plan and overall living space within the scope of a larger container home design. Containers also have standard dimensions, which can make designing a home more straightforward.
Another advantage is price (more on this below). Shipping containers are relatively inexpensive with an average price of between $1,500 and $5,000 depending on size and whether it's new or used, making them much cheaper to build with than lumber and other building materials for a traditional house. A recycled shipping container is also an eco-friendly option because it utilizes existing materials rather than new.
Pro tip: aim to buy your container(s) in November or December, says Devon Loerop, owner and builder of The Pacific Bin, which in just one year has become the most followed home on Instagram. During the holidays there is usually a surplus of containers in North America, making it easier to find a deal and save money when buying used containers.
In the same vein as the increasingly popular Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), building a shipping container house is another way to utilize alternative methods to create more livable space—be it a guest house, vacation home, or even a workspace. By design, container homes are a fairly low maintenance and even transportable home that can be a great investment for the DIY-minded homeowner.
Like any dwelling, there are pros and cons here too, whether you’re building and buying. One of the main disadvantages of shipping container homes is insulation and temperature control. Steel is an excellent conductor of heat, which means that without proper foam insulation, shipping container homes can become very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Insulating a shipping container effectively can be a challenge, and it often requires adding insulation to both the interior and exterior, which can increase construction costs and reduce interior space. More on this further below.
Another common disadvantage of building with shipping containers is navigating building code and zoning challenges. Depending on your location, there may be strict building codes and zoning regulations that govern the use of shipping containers as homes—or even disallow them. In many instances building regulations have been established decades before the advent of innovative building practices like prefabrication, so it's not uncommon to find local regulations (and town committees, code enforcers, and building permit issuers) to be rather outdated and uncompromising. As such, obtaining the necessary permits and approvals can be a complex and time-consuming process—you may need to seek a number of variances in order to be granted a certificate of occupancy (CO).
For these same reasons, finding home insurance and/or construction loans by conventional banks may be tough for shipping container home owners and builders, too. Or it all can be super simple. It all depends on where you want to build.
In terms of design limitations, you can stack multiple shipping containers to create a house, but the containers themselves are not endlessly customizable. Picking your living room, sleeping quarters, door locations, etc is easy, but unfortunately heavy modification can reduce the structural integrity of a container, so keep in mind you will have limited layout options when designing your dream container home.
From turnkey properties to customized builds, shipping container homes come in all shapes and sizes. There isn't just one way to convert these steel cubes into an inviting space—there are two: purchase a prefab container home or DIY.
A prefabricated (prefab) container house is built off-site by a qualified manufacturer and arrives ready-made. The obvious benefit is owning an almost move-in ready home (you'll still have to take care of the land, foundation, and connect utilities) which eliminates nearly all of the heavy lifting and construction.
The major downside to this is having less freedom to choose key design elements such as the floor plan, fixtures, and finishings. However, the trade-off is a professionally built habitable structure. And it's worth mentioning that some prefab container home manufacturers can also assist buyers with the finer points of the area's building codes, zoning laws, and permit requirements, which may be factor into your final decision.
The DIY route is the only way to get everything on your list and have complete control in the building and design process. But this also puts all of the responsibility on the homeowner turned builder, designer, and project manager. Researching floor plans, sourcing and installing all of the materials, and selecting every last detail of the home down to the "studs" takes time. And be prepared to hire professionals for specialized jobs like structural reinforcements, plumbing, and electricity.
Shipping containers are designed to stack corner to corner, like you see on ships and in ports. If you want to stack containers in an unconventional way, or cut out big windows and doorways, it's important to note additional budget and work will be required. “If you're building a one-story container home, it's really a breeze. But the second you go up a floor, just know there's going be a lot of added costs and added structural reinforcement needed, especially if you're stacking in the non-conventional way,” explains Washington State-based builder Devon Loerop.
“When you turn containers 90 degrees and they're not stacked on the corners, and that's when you have to look at some serious structural reinforcement. It makes for a really cool design, but it's going be a bit of a headache. So you really want to do your due diligence and dive into understanding structural steel, what it's going to take to make your home 100% rock solid, and how that is going to affect the inside of your design.”
Want to build your own Pacific Bin? Loerop sells complete construction plans. Use code "FM20" to save 20% off.
Metal is inherently a bad insulator so condensation is quick to form when it’s hot inside and cold outside or vice versa. For this reason, closed cell foam should be used for shipping container homes because it acts as vapor barrier as well as an insulator. If traditional insulation is used moisture in the form of condensation can cause corrosion, mold, and mildew to build up over time, which can be hazardous and dangerous.
Now, closed cell foam can be expensive, especially if you have to reach a specified thickness for R value to meet inspection (keep in mind building codes and requirements will vary by location and climate). “I paid something like $32,000 to do a closed cell spray foam,” shares Loerop of his Pacific Bin build.
But in hindsight, this one clever technique could have saved him thousands: "A way to save a ton of money is to just apply a very thin layer of closed cell spray foam on the inside of your walls—like three quarter to an inch thick. That will add a little insulation but the main thing is it's creating a vapor barrier for you to then roll in typical batt installation. That alone will probably save you like $15,000 on insulating your home.”
Building a custom container home can be significantly cheaper than a traditional home primarily because of the smaller footprint and materials. Before the project begins, take some time to run the numbers and set a realistic budget. Below is an overview of the main expenses for a DIY container home build—as it goes with any project, be sure to round up!
The total should include the cost of land, the containers themselves (from $1,500 to $5,000), delivery, site prep, a foundation, and permits.
Like any new home build, the shipping container home budget should also include enough to cover the building materials, as well as windows, doors, flooring, plus other interior and exterior finishings to make the space habitable and aesthetic. Hardy DIYers can save money on paid labor in a container home build, but for others, hiring professionals or buying a prefab container home can be a necessary albeit pricier option.
Of course, the cost will increase if you opt for a larger floor plan (meaning multiple containers and more construction materials), high-end fixtures and finishings, and add-ons like a rooftop deck or outdoor patio.
On average, the minimum amount homeowners should expect to spend on a completely finished 40-foot container home DIY build is $30,000-$40,. For an itemized list and full breakdown of the costs of this type of build, check out this video from a general contractor who converted a 40-foot shipping container himself using high-end materials and no additional paid labor, for just $33,000.
As previously mentioned, a prefab container home will inherently cost more in exchange for a beautiful, high-quality dwelling. Scroll through our list below of modern prefab container home builders to scope out the wide range of prices and options available on the market.
Another cost saving tip from Loerop that's most relevant to rural builders of all project types pertains to property surveying. “I paid for like $8,000 for a site survey that was just completely not needed because I thought I had to be pinpoint accurate on where the home is located versus my construction plans,” Loerop shares about his property The Pacific Bin. But turns out, “if it's off five, 10 feet one way or another and you have four or five acres, it does not matter all that much. You can just open your and see the property lines on Google Maps and your location [while walking the property] and it should get you within five, 10 feet of accurate."
It’s little things like this that can save you considerable money on your total build cost. The beauty of doing it yourself!
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The Pacific Bin
The cost of a container home varies widely based on several factors, like the square feet, location, design, required modifications, permits, and labor costs required to install or set up the container. Generally, smaller container homes can start around $20,000 to $50,000 for a basic setup, while larger, more customized versions can range from $100,000 to $250,000 or more.
It can be cheaper to build a container home compared to a traditional house, especially with smaller or simpler designs. Ultimately, the cost comparison depends on various factors like size, location, design complexity, required modifications, and the quality of materials used
Container homes are typically clad in Corten steel, which is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions during shipping for about 10-12 years without significant corrosion. However, with proper home maintenance and treatment, container homes can last several decades.
With shipping container homes, seeing is often believing. We hope that after reading this article, you will better understand what’s possible with container homes across sizes, floorplans, and price levels by showing you a wide variety of custom container home designs.
Each curated home below is a chance to highlight the creativity and craftsmanship found in the best shipping container houses around the world. All 50 container homes include a picture and a link to its entry in our Container Project Database where you’ll find many more details including location, size, and additional pictures.
There is no rule that says you have to build with a single 40-foot shipping container; you can make a container home as large as your budget allows. Below are some of the best container homes with over square feet of floor space that are perfect for a family or those looking for a touch of luxury in their dream home.
This Costa Rica shipping container home uses eight 40-foot boxes in a design that blends industrial architecture, abundant solar panels, and the natural environment. Click Here to Learn More
A New Jersey container home built from nine 40-foot containers built into two glass-filled wings that flank a central courtyard. Click Here to Learn More
With 14 storage boxes placed on top of a concrete ground floor, this Texas container home in Dallas is a luxurious example of cargotecture for those who aren’t afraid of a large price tag. Click Here to Learn More
Combining traditional wood construction with 11 steel shipping containers, this western Michigan container home is built for indoor/outdoor living. Click Here to Learn More
This Australia container mansion was built with 31 cargo boxes in the suburbs of Brisbane and is one of our favorite sea container homes in Queensland…or anywhere! Click Here to Learn More
Nine ISO boxes were combined to build this stunning Colorado container home, plus another two containers for the guest apartment above the garage. Click Here to Learn More
With a total of 21 boxes, this angular Brooklyn, New York box house has one of the coolest container home designs in the world. Click Here to Learn More
By offsetting three of the nine containers of this St. Louis, Missouri container home, the builders created a three-story floor plan with texture and personality. Click Here to Learn More
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The tiny house movement is many people’s first introduction to the idea of shipping container homes. And while you don’t have to build a shipping container house with a single 40-foot or 20-foot shipping container, there are plenty of beautiful examples of tiny container homes that do just that. Here are a few of the best tiny houses built with containers that are under 500 square feet of floor area.
The outside deck is inviting, but it’s the modern plywood walls that make this Australian cargo dwelling one of the best affordable shipping container homes we’ve seen. Click Here to Learn More
Despite using only one cargo box, this container home in Portugal feels spacious thanks to the huge sliding glass doors that open to a shady outdoor porch. Click Here to Learn More
These two adjacent suburban Georgia container homes with a shared patio put an otherwise empty backyard to good use. Click Here to Learn More
A green roof and bold colors help this Texas container guesthouse really stand out. Click Here to Learn More
Yes, please to an Ohio container home on a tranquil piece of property just a stone’s throw from a relaxing river. Click Here to Learn More
White walls, bright windows, and warm wooden accents make this Canadian container tiny house come to life. Click Here to Learn More
Two stacked conex boxes give this Washington container home a bit of extra room plus an elevated patio to view the surrounding forest. Click Here to Learn More
We love helping DIYers learn how to build their own shipping container house which is why we have to share a few of the best DIY container home projects too! All of the storage box houses in this section were built primarily by their owners.
A labor of love for Mike and his wife, this California container home perches gracefully on the side of a San Diego canyon. Click Here to Learn More
This Costa Rican container house uses clerestory windows to add light and air, becoming a classic example of shipping container architecture. Click Here to Learn More
After facing a New Orleans hurricane as a child, the owner of this Louisiana container house worked within existing zoning laws to create a home that was durable and strong enough for anything nature might send. Click Here to Learn More
With three containers, a dream, and a lot of hard work, a young family built this North Carolina box house that is full of light. Click Here to Learn More
This Utah container house blends into the desert landscape and provides easy access to numerous outdoor adventures in nearby national parks. Click Here to Learn More
An angled box and a crazy mural completely transform this Florida container home into an artistic showcase. Click Here to Learn More
So much of container architecture is focused on the appearance of the outside of the home, but the following examples demonstrated some incredible interiors as well. You’re sure to get some interior container home design ideas from the examples in this section. There’s certainly a range of possible interior aesthetics, from warm to minimalist to industrial to sleek.
Wood paneling on the walls, galvanized steel ceilings, and dark floors combine to make these Kentucky container homes into rustic modern delights. Click Here to Learn More
Built-in furniture meets modern plywood relief wall coverings in this container home in Australia that is completely disguised! Click Here to Learn More
Using a handful of earth-tone colors for the wooden walls gives this Texas container house a cozy cabin warmth. Click Here to Learn More
Sleek, contemporary architecture marries with tropical hardwood interior design in this incredible pair of Indonesian container homes. Click Here to Learn More
Gracefully walking the line between modern and uber-comfortable, this container home in Washington state has an impressive living space. Click Here to Learn More
A wood-burning stove, well-coordinated furniture, and tasteful decorations make this container home in Portugal a favorite. Click Here to Learn More
Many of our favorite container homes are impressive on their own, but when taken in the context of their incredible natural surroundings, they become awe-inspiring. The following shipping container houses are set in locations that take full advantage of the beauty of nature in very different ways.
Right on the banks of a paddle-friendly river, this Florida container home was built in full compliance with local building codes. Click Here to Learn More
The stark scenery and epic blue skies surrounding this Texas container home look like they were taken from a painting. Click Here to Learn More
Built inside a NorCal forest, this California container home has impressive views all around. Click Here to Learn More
On a small ranch outside of Austin, you’ll find this scenic Texas container home with an elevated outdoor dining room. Click Here to Learn More
Set amongst the plains with views of distant mountains, this Colorado container home invites you to explore. Click Here to Learn More
This North Carolina container home is built on the side of a mountain with awe-inspiring views for miles in all directions. Click Here to Learn More
Deep in rural NorCal you’ll find this comfortable California container cabin set amongst the trees and a winding creek. Click Here to Learn More
Built to cantilever out over a river gorge, this Australian container home uses an off-grid design to become one with the land. Click Here to Learn More
Bridged, staggered, cut, turned, stacked…the way that you configure and combine shipping containers can create some fantastic design possibilities. Some of the best designers and builders from around the globe have brought their coolest container home ideas to life with these homes. The creativity and engineering insight displayed here take full advantage of the structural strength of containers.
This New York container home uses the strength of cargotecture to literally bridge over a gap. Click Here to Learn More
We’ve seen containers where the levels are stacked and shifted, but this container home in Mexico goes further with a double-height ceiling, expansive windows, and novel use of building materials. Click Here to Learn More
Less than square feet yet three stories tall, this Texas shipping container house is basically a mini-skyscraper. Click Here to Learn More
This striking container home in New York proves that what you remove counts just as much as what you add. Click Here to Learn More
A Texas container house built on a riverbank, the Dam Camp seems perfect for a family reunion or party. Click Here to Learn More
Growing out of the side of a hill, this creative container house in Chile makes you walk downstairs to enter. Click Here to Learn More
Whether it’s the cherry red paint, the lattice roof, or the staggered configuration, this French container home is unlike any other. Click Here to Learn More
Combing functional cladding with complex structural modifications, this Northern Ireland home seems to almost float above the farm it is built on. Click Here to Learn More
The soothing blue color of this iconic Spanish container home makes you feel almost as peaceful as the tranquil courtyard. Click Here to Learn More
Whether for reasons of personal preference or community requirements, some people want to obscure the fact that their home is built with containers. Here are a few of the best examples of freight container homes that use different exterior materials to cover up the corrugated metal walls of their shipping containers. If you don’t believe these are container homes, just click through to each one and view the under-construction pictures to prove it!
A variety of textures and colors welcome you to the front facade of this Michigan home from a prominent container home builder. Click Here to Learn More
Built adjacent to a Hamptons beach, this container home in New York uses cement board cladding to completely hide the cargo boxes underneath. Click Here to Learn More
Simple wooden pallets transform the exterior of this Chilean container home, giving it texture and welcome shade. Click Here to Learn More
Natural bamboo is used as cladding for this container home in China to help it seamlessly blend into the surrounding nature. Click Here to Learn More
Multicolored cement boards were used on the exterior of this container house in Colorado, making it look like a natural extension of the site’s rocky terrain. Click Here to Learn More
Not even the second-floor porch of this Michigan container home gives away the storage containers underneath thanks to its thoughtful cladding. Click Here to Learn More
What a creative, diverse mix of houses built from shipping containers. Hopefully, you’ve been inspired by these real-world examples of storage container homes that are great alternatives to traditional construction.
We tried to include something for everyone, regardless of your budget, design preferences, and build process, including projects from shipping container builders and DIY homes from enterprising owners. And, we were sure to include container houses from a variety of locations across the globe, proving that container construction can work almost anywhere.
For more information, please visit Luxury Modern Container Homes.