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Wilbour
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2015 09:56pm - Edited by: Wilbour
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Saw an interesting 355 square foot cabin consisting of 2 shipping containers. It's for sale on Kijiji in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. Google it to see.
*Edit* I typed 2 shipping containers instead of 3 on my tablet. Thanks to Steve for pointing that out
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copperhead1971
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 11:04am
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here is the link
URL
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bobrok
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 11:42am
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Guy built one of these near where I live. He welded two of them together. When he was finished from the outside it looked just like a double wide modular (which, when you think about it, is exactly what it is).
Wish I could have seen the inside.
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Steve961
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 12:08pm
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First off, it's not two containers, it's actually three. Second, I don't how he came up with the 355 square feet. Three 8'x20' shipping containers combined have an external footprint of 480 square feet. Even with the space taken up by the internal framing and insulation, it should at least retain 400 square feet or so.
There are several other problems with the build - most having to do with the roof. First, the added roof appears to be totally flat. It also seems to be made of corrugated roofing steel which does require at least some amount of drop to prevent pooling and infiltration.
Second, there is no insulation on the inside ceiling of the containers. That's not a problem as long is there is insulation on the top. It's just that the one exterior picture doesn't show a layer thick enough under the roof to be insulation. It may very well be there, it's just that it doesn't look like it.
Third, there is virtually no roof overhang on the front of the containers. I'm not sure I'd like ice and snow building up on the locking mechanisms of the doors - especially in Ottowa.
Overall I don't think it's a high quality build, especially for the 40K they are asking.
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deercula
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:05pm
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2 sides without windows? I need more natural light.
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Wilbour
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 09:04pm
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Quoting: Steve961 First off, it's not two containers, it's actually three.
Gee sorry Steve! You sound pissed!
It was just an interesting approach, that's all. 
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 09:34pm
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Wow, the interior is absolutely beautiful! I love how open and roomy it is! Lots of natural light coming in the one wall. I'm sure they sited it to capture as much sunlight as possible.
The description says it's semi-portable. I'd think it would be a bear to move. Shipping containers are heavy and you could damage that gorgeous interior.
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Steve961
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 10:58pm - Edited by: Steve961
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Quoting: Wilbour Gee sorry Steve! You sound pissed! It was just an interesting approach, that's all.
I am Sorry if I came off as that, I didn't mean to. My attitude was from the quality of the build and not your comments. I understand cutting corners for a personal build, but when it's being sold to the public it bothers me.
In regards to dismantling and moving it I would be worried. Shipping containers that have had walls removed are more likely to spring out of square when disconnected from each other and/or a foundation. A single intact container cabin though will usually hold up to being transported without damaging the finished walls.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2015 11:13pm
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Quoting: Julie2Oregon The description says it's semi-portable. I'd think it would be a bear to move. Shipping containers are heavy and you could damage that gorgeous interior
In regard to moving the 20' containers, side loaders are phenomenal.
They are quite gentle and can place them where you want within inches.
That said, I don't hold container conversion with much regard...not sure even why.
One that looked attractive to me was a 40' with a 20' on top. It created a little sun deck with sliding doors up top. Pretty cool.
Heh, 'semi-portable'
side loaders are semi's, s-o-o-o-o
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2015 03:41pm
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Ahhhhhh, I get it now. Portable, with semi!
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creeky
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2015 03:42pm
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Ya. I'm not sure how he plans to move the build. How to keep the containers from twisting exploding when he moves them? One wall is gone completely from each container. That might effect structural integrity and make for a drafty trip down the road. (classic understatement)
And there's no bathroom.
I suspect he's selling the thing (it's been for sale for many months now) because it's so problematic he just wants to start over. So. Eight foot ceilings. Big open space. Shrug. 40k would build you that and more anywhere, without the unknown issues.
I'm with you Steve. Seeing somebody offloading a "lessons learned" project is kind of unsettling.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2015 03:58pm
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If they can jack and move a 200 year old house on those tv shows there's gotta be a way to move this, albeit not inexpensively.
There goes the money saved on the build, if there was any.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2015 04:54pm - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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After spending time hauling containers,seeing how they leak and are put out of service because of it (sold to people like this guy) and some of the nasty stuff (pesticides,from China etc...) sprayed on the floors to elimate pests in merchandise the thought of using one for my home makes me sad.
Edited to add: looking at the modification of the containers it looks from the interior as if the containers roofs are now one roof. He states that they can be moved. I just don't see how. They most certainly cannot be moved the way they came in before they were modified. The purchaser will need to hire a company that specializes in moving oversized freight and than it must be legal to move it on the roadways. If it is legal than permits will be needed and that can cost quite a lot of money.
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azgreg
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 12:59pm
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Here's another guys 3 container build. Tin Can Cabin. A really detailed blog. However, he said if he had it all to do again he wouldn't.
http://www.tincancabin.com/
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Steve961
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 01:34pm
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Quoting: azgreg However, he said if he had it all to do again he wouldn't.
That's not quite accurate. You see, that just happens to be my cabin and my blog. I do not regret building my cabin with containers. I chose to build with containers strictly for the security they provide. I knew that it would cost much more than conventional construction, and I was OK with that trade off for the additional security they provided. The problem with container construction for most people is that unless you have a very specific reason to build with them, it is definitely not cheaper or easier to do so.
Unfortunately most of the container cabins I have seen show a pattern of cost cutting - just like the cabin in the OP. For some reason people have this idea that container construction is easier and cheaper. As people get started on their build this becomes apparent and they are tempted to start cutting corners due to the cost and/or time. I will always recommend traditional construction unless there is some overriding reason not to.
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Wilbour
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 01:59pm
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Say, this is getting real interesting. Forget PVRing Coronation Street.
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azgreg
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 02:11pm - Edited by: azgreg
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Quoting: Steve961 That's not quite accurate.
I'm sorry if I misunderstood your blog post. Its just reading that blog and many of your replies in the comment section that's the impression I got.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 02:13pm
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Some cabins I've seen also show a pattern of cost cutting. We're guilty of that with our foundation. We do regret that huge mistake....live and learn.
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creeky
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 02:21pm
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Quoting: Wilbour Forget PVRing Coronation Street.
maybe we should make that a topic. what short cut came back and bit you in the a$$?
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Steve961
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2015 02:25pm
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Quoting: azgreg I'm sorry if I misunderstood your blog post. Its just reading that blog and many of your replies in the comment section that's the impression I got.
No problem, I can see how someone might get that impression. It may seem strange that I both love my cabin and yet recommend that others don't do the same. It's just that I get a lot of email from people that so want to build a cabin and think that shipping containers will allow them to do it for less than traditional construction. I am constantly warning people that containers are not this holy grail of cabin construction. It is a very niche method that WILL cost you more in time and money.
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