You’re excited about the idea of owning a sleek, modern, sustainable, and affordable home. At the same time, a small voice in your head whispers, “Are container homes really safe and affordable.” That’s the objection on the minds of many potential buyers as they consider these alternative homes. Here’s the deal on the safety and affordability of living in a shipping container home.

Having built modular homes for satisfied homeowners across the globe (including the US, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East), I know a thing or two about making your home safe and affordable. Using my experience in architectural design and custom construction, I’ve learned how to build every container home to the safest standards possible, while keeping it an affordable option for anyone who wants to live greener. That’s my side of the get-real conversation about the safety and affordability of living in a shipping container house.

Safety of Container Houses

Made from repurposed steel shipping containers, container homes offer the perfect mix of durability and adaptability. But are they safe?

The answer depends on several factors.

1. Structural Integrity

Each container starts life as a weatherproof, strong, Corten steel box. This sturdy material ensures that shipping containers can withstand severe weather and fluctuating temperatures.

However, shipping containers become less safe when unsealed. Every time someone cuts a window or door into a container wall, they weaken it. Only professional builders can cut openings and reinforce your box to ensure that it’s still safe.

2. Reminder For Fire Safety

I started to say this before, but knowing you, I’d better repeat myself. You already know that if you don’t install fireproof insulation on the inside, things will get hot in your house. Rest easy because it’s easy to avoid that simple “gotcha” if you will.

My tactical tip: if your home isn’t already protected by smoke alarms in each bedroom, you might consider adding some. Then, make sure everyone in the family knows the evacuation plans, especially if you have any kind of multi-story home built out of containers.

3. Get Serious About Getting Some Fresh Air

Ventilation is huge to prevent moisture buildup. Simply put: good ventilation prevents the creepy crawl-covering mold. In addition, it’s a good precaution to take given that God knows what was in the container before you bought it. So what do you do to make the air inside your container “cereal box” fresh?

First, you’re going to scrub the tar out of everything in that container to be sure nothing gets you sick. Then, I’d only recommend that you buy a container from a source you trust not to have been hauling toxic waste or the components for some kind of nuclear weapon around the world inside your steel box.

4. Build It Right From The Start

Remember: building codes are critical. You absolutely must adhere to the standards in your area to remain on the right side of the man. Let me head you off if you live outside the United States and think you’re off the hook for dealing with the government.

That’s just not true. Always check with local authorities to find out exactly what building codes you have to satisfy. These codes will encompass things like structural requirements, how high you can build things from shipping containers, setting and supporting the foundation based on soil type in your location, and more. Conforming to this type of red tape keeps the safety guys away and your home on the good side of the law.

The Affordability of Container Homes

Are shipping container homes cheap to build? Yes, but only if you know these three things that affect their price:

1. How much does a shipping container house cost to build?

The cost will vary significantly based on the level of build-out you want, the size of the home, and what condition you want the container to be in when you start building your home. A few might examples include:

• Basic container homes start at approximately $25,000.
• Prefabricated models range from $120 to $300 per square foot.
• Custom-designed homes may cost $250 to $400 per square foot.

Despite these variations, container homes are significantly cheaper than traditional housing, which averages around $400,000.

2. Construction Costs

Example: Carving out a container to become a house you would want to live in—like air conditioning, insulation, plumbing, outlets and windows—costs money and takes time. Just like you will require to purchase a home depot load of pink stuff to separate you from the hot, hot steel the walls make when the sun shines, you will also have to invest in craftsman to do the work for you.

Truth: Even when you figure in the cost of putting in the systems, you’ll spend less money per square foot to live in a shipping container home when compared to a traditional home.

Short-term maintenance costs.

Plumbing, wiring and HVAC installations.

Windows, doors, and flooring.

Anytime a guy has to go get a brick and stick it in the hole you installed for an air conditioning unit he is going to charge you $50 plus mileage. Thanks to the tightness of container homes and the fact that the vast majority of the work is done inside where the air conditioner is located, you will experience lower initial build-out related expenses.

3. Save More Chips

Translation: long-term money. You don’t spend as much on maintenance because these big, steel boxes can take a beating. Since very little of your house will wash away in the rain, it costs less to fix over time.

Want another steel box secret? You can buy insurance to cover just about anything, including playing on the same mound of dirt that serves as nesting grounds for tornados, hurricanes and critters that bite and sting. Since your house is sturdy enough to handle just about anything that the weather can throw at it, insurance companies generally reward container houses with lower premiums.

Lastly, making your home more energy-efficient and running it on solar power can save you enough scratch to afford a pretty hefty Thanksgiving weekend turkey.

Building a Bit Bigger

We’ve crushed the big things—the argument that container houses are safe and affordable. Now we need to talk through a few more nuanced topics, all the way from how to build a multi-story container house to why you don’t have to worry even a little about humidity in your container home.

What Are the Main Safety Concerns When Building a Multi-Story Container Home?

• Structural Support: Multi-story designs require robust foundations and reinforced stacking to handle the weight and stress.
• Access and Evacuation: Fire escapes and easy access points must be incorporated for emergency safety.
• Wind Resistance: Ensure the design accounts for wind load, especially in hurricane-prone regions.

How Does the Structural Integrity of Shipping Containers Compare to Traditional Building Materials?

• Strength: Corten steel surpasses many traditional materials in tensile strength and weather resistance.
• Customization Risks: Unlike concrete or wood, modifications to steel require specialized expertise to maintain structural integrity.

What Specific Fire Safety Measures Are Recommended for Container Homes?

• Use fire-resistant insulation materials.
• Install advanced smoke detection systems.
• Separate living spaces with fire-rated partitions.
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources.

How Can I Ensure Proper Ventilation in a Container Home?

• Install exhaust fans and air vents to regulate airflow.
• Use dehumidifiers in humid climates.
• Design larger windows for natural ventilation and daylight.

Are There Any Local Building Codes I Should Be Aware of When Constructing a Container Home?

Yes, local regulations vary widely and may include:

• Maximum height and stacking limits.
• Foundation requirements based on soil type.
• Insulation and energy efficiency standards.

Consulting with local authorities and hiring professionals familiar with these codes can save time and prevent costly mistakes.

You have the tools and knowledge to create a safe, affordable, and sustainable living right there inside some steel boxes. You won’t have to worry about your home burning down when Mrs. Smith down the street decides to burn the Thanksgiving day sausage. Trust me when I say Granny won’t be worried about whether you can adjust the temperature in your new, green home.

Whether you’re a container home convert in need of a little extra help getting through the “we don’t like your kind of house here” red tape or someone who’s still not convinced that any home not made with sticks (or molehills) is a bad home, why not see all the green, sustainable and fashionable ways you can live in a steel box? Come along and let me show you the ins and outs of our tiny, sustainable, indestructible boxes before you go and make the best decision of your life.