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There are two types of shipping containers that can be acquired for repurposing into residential use:
● Regular, and
● High Cube
Regular size containers are available in two variations:
● 20 feet long, with these dimensions: 20 feet (length) x 8 feet (width) x 8,6 feet (height); and
● 40 feet long, with these dimensions: 40 feet (length) x 8 feet (width) x 8,6 feet (height)
High cube containers are available in the same two variations, with one difference: they are 1 feet taller.
So there are two things you need to consider:
Length: the main thing you will need to decide on is the container’s length. Any of the two standard sizes – 20 feet or 40 feet long – could be modified into small homes. Which one would work best for you depends on your preferences. A 20 feet long shipping container may be enough for one or possibly two people. A 40 feet long shipping container on the other hand provides more space, and is
definitely recommendable if you have a family.
Keep in mind that you are not limited by the size of one container. If you need more space, you can purchase additional shipping containers to add to your home. These containers can even be stacked on top of each other to form multi-storey houses, but with added cost.
A word of caution though: if you choose to weld multiple containers together, absolutely make sure that these containers were produced by the same manufacturer. Even though shipping containers come in just a few standard sizes, there are slight size variances which may only show once you are trying to stack and weld them together. Moreover, the size variance also makes insulation of your home more complicated.
Height: the other thing you will need to decide on is how tall your container home is going to be. The additional one feet in height that a high cube container offers may not seem like much when you are building your home, but once it is completed and you are living in it, the contrast with a regular container can be immense. And then it is too late to make any changes.
Compared to traditional homes, shipping container homes are tiny. At least, they can feel that way. If you are claustrophobic, you probably shouldn’t even consider moving into a shipping container home. But also if you are comfortable in small spaces, an oppressively low ceiling can make you feel as if the walls are coming at you.
The container dimensions can also give you the wrong idea about the size of your actual living space: insulating the container will result in less room inside to move around.
There are a few downsides to high cube containers though, compared to regular containers:
● They are more expensive: Regular containers are more widely available, because these are the ones that are used the most in the shipping industry.
● They are less eco-friendly: Because it is rare to find one that has been used priorly to carry goods, you are probably only able to buy one straight from the factory. If you are inspired by the eco-friendly aspect of living in a shipping container homes, than high cube containers may not be your best option.
● They are heavier: Transport will be more costly, not only because of the weight difference, but also because some semi trucks are not equipped to carry such a heavy load.
Still, high cube containers are considered the best containers to convert into a home. So if these concerns are something you are willing to overlook, than I definitely suggest going for a high cube container.
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