Garden House from Container: Pros and Cons of Such Construction

You've long dreamed of a garden house but don't want to wait for a long time and spend a lot of money? Then we suggest you consider the option of building from a sea container. Let's try to understand what are the main features of such a solution.

Types of Containers

Not so long ago, such metal frames were used only for transport purposes. Now they are used to build commercial buildings, warehouses, guard posts and much more.

Sea or railway containers as living spaces are also becoming more common. They can be bought ready-made — with insulation and all utilities. In the construction of garden houses, structures from 20 feet and larger are used.

Types of Houses from Containers

Garden huts are built from several types of containers depending on the size of the plot and desired building size.

On a small plot, it is preferable to place them one above the other and add extensions if desired.

1. One Container — the simplest option that will save a lot of time and money. It is quite suitable for seasonal housing with all necessary amenities, including a bathroom with a sink and shower, kitchen, and living room.2. Two Containers — a more spacious variant with the possibility of creating several rooms. The bathroom here can be bigger, and the kitchen and bedroom can be separated by partitions and doors. If placed one above another, two separate entrances from the street can be arranged.3. Three Containers and more — this option already implies a full-fledged cottage with additional rooms, storage, several bedrooms, and bathrooms. Containers can be placed side by side or separated by a terrace.4. Insulated Container for Winter — will be resistant to frost and perfectly suited for a winter garden stay. Such a house can even be built in cold northern regions. However, in this case, external and internal wall insulation and appropriate utility systems are needed.

Construction and Interior

A house from one container is built in about a month, while building a more complex structure takes 2–3 months.

1. Preparation — this stage includes collecting documentation, designing a plan and project with a full estimate (construction materials, insulation, electrical wiring, doors, etc.). You also need to calculate the costs for transporting the containers themselves (payment for crew services, delivery and installation).

2. Construction — the actual stage of building the structure. This includes preparing and pouring a foundation, installing guttering and ventilation on the roof, mounting windows and doors, sheathing walls with insulation material and cladding them with boarding. Before laying the sewage and electrical systems, it is necessary to ensure that they are connected to the plot.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Among the obvious pros of such structures are practicality, durability, and fast construction. Moreover, compared to other constructions, a block-container house will cost much less and look more aesthetically pleasing.

The downside is essentially the containers themselves: their metal base makes them cold in winter and hot in summer. In addition, such houses should be placed on a foundation, as wet soil after snow and rain can damage the material.

When comparing container structures to brick, panel, or wooden ones, they will last less time. For mounting doors and windows, it is necessary to know how to work with a welding machine and metal saw.

All Photos: Pinterest

This type of structure is made from a decommissioned container, so before purchasing, it's necessary to check the condition of its components. The outer and inner sides, seams, and joints must be in proper condition; otherwise, problems will arise during construction.