What is a freight container associated with? For most people, the imagination at best draws some kind of dirty construction change house, in which chaos and disorder reigns. However, today, thanks to the efforts of architects and designers, container houses are comfortable dwellings that are absolutely incredible in beauty and functionality. At the same time, the construction of such a mansion will be much cheaper than the construction of a soulless box made of reinforced concrete.
History tour
It is not known who is the author of the idea and a pioneer. But the extremely popular houses made of shipping containers owe the American architect Adam Kalkin. This man designed and built a house, the fame of which spread throughout the world. It took only three shipping containers to realize the idea. The house of them turned out to be surprisingly beautiful and original. Calkin’s creative experiment was not just a success, but was presented to the public with tremendous sensation. The idea was picked up by many architects around the world.
Initially, container houses were in demand in the United States, often exposed to the devastating effects of hurricanes. The element often fell on the coast and broke people's houses, like house of cards. Thus, people needed to quickly solve the housing problem. The construction of a container house is a matter of only one week, while the construction of an ordinary one can take almost years.
Today, many prefer buildings made of containers, not only for reasons of practicality, but also to emphasize their own personality, to surprise their friends and colleagues. The potential of this industry is far from exhausted: the appearance of new building materials on the market is pushing architects to create more and more advanced projects.
The basic principles of designing houses from containers
The containers, of course, are unified and manufactured according to the same industry standards. They are small (20 feet, 11 pallets capacity), medium (40 feet, 25 or 30 pallets, depending on version) and large (45 feet, 33 pallets capacity). When creating a project, container sizes are taken into account.
In the conditions of our winter, such a house will have to be insulated both outside and inside. This leads to a decrease in usable area: insulation takes about 0.2 m per side. But the ceiling with the floor is also insulated. This will lead to additional costs. Nevertheless, construction is economically viable and expedient.
You can make the facade more original by connecting several blocks with each other. Combined walls will play the role of an interior partition. They need to cut a hole for the doorway. A house made of containers placed in this way will look great. Another trick is to deliver containers a certain distance, which is given to the living room. This space is glazed and a panoramic room is obtained.
As a rule, two sleeping rooms are placed in one container, and the other is given under a hozblok (kitchen, toilet, shower). Often containers are covered by a common roof.
For a large family, two containers will be clearly not enough. Therefore, you can not be limited to just a couple of blocks and use 4 or more. Often containers are placed around the perimeter with the formation of a patio. Such a venue will be a great place for family celebrations and events.
Sometimes an architectural design includes a glass dome over a building. This is a decorative element, and at the same time a protective barrier against precipitation.
Installation of containers in several levels is allowed. Thus, you can build a house in several floors. Moreover, the lower containers do not need to be reinforced with stiffeners: they are designed in such a way that they can withstand significant loads. But if the design of the lower container underwent significant changes (large pieces of metal were cut out, the supports were loosened), then to ensure safety, expertise and complex engineering calculations would be required.
Interior options
The most popular decorative materials are wall paneling and drywall sheets. The house of containers in the photo is sheathed just with a clapboard. It looks stylish, solid and expensive. It is recommended not to abuse the dark shades in the decoration: the dimensions of the rooms are already quite small, and the room will seem even smaller.
A common technique is hanging walls with large mirrors. They significantly expand the space.
Development of design and construction documentation
The project can be elementary simple (for example, when building a house from a container with your own hands), and very complex and large-scale (multi-story buildings with summing up all the necessary communications). In the second case, the involvement of design organizations and numerous coordination with supervisory authorities is required.
Benefits of Container Houses
Houses made of blocks (containers) have proven themselves very well. In the absence of large stained-glass windows, you can reject fears that strangers can get into the house. Thus, a container house fully provides security requirements.
Building a house is inexpensive. You can purchase used containers for a small amount. If you use simple materials for insulation and finishing work (mineral wool, plywood wood), then you can meet a very modest budget. This is also an important advantage.
The container does not require a capital foundation. But this is a significant expense in the construction of housing. It is enough to install four metal supports or even just put cinder blocks.
The construction of such a house will not be delayed. All work can be done independently if a person can work with a grinder and with a welding machine.
The container has a sufficiently large margin of safety, therefore, it will serve as a reliable home and shelter from the weather for many years.
Heating system
In the event that gas is not supplied to the site, the room is heated with a conventional stove on coal or wood. It is desirable that the solid fuel is loaded into the furnace from the outside. Thanks to this decision, the room will not smoke. It is easier and more practical with gas - a boiler is installed that allows you to adjust the temperature in the room and make it optimal.
Construction technology
The construction of houses from containers is relatively simple and consists of the following stages: cleaning the surface of the containers and anti-corrosion treatment, actually installing the blocks, conducting electricity networks, installing sewers and, finally, the final step is interior decoration.
Anticorrosion treatment of containers
Before starting construction, the containers are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and rust by a sandblasting machine. After cleaning, the surface is treated with a solution of phosphoric acid and, after complete drying, is primed. This provides protection against corrosion. This step is very important, as the container will constantly be exposed to an aggressive environment.
Installation of blocks
In the case of the foundation, the installation of blocks is allowed only after 22 days after pouring it. It is impossible to cope with a similar task without a crane. After installation, the containers are welded together. Then, the door and window openings into which the two-chamber double-glazed windows are installed are cut with a gas cutter.
The designer is going to from sea containers. The project and the photo of the house begin to be realized. In this case, you can give free rein to imagination and install the blocks as you want: in two or three floors, at an angle, on all kinds of supports. When building a house yourself, it is better to limit yourself to one floor. Otherwise, the complexity of the work increases significantly, and it is very difficult to cope with them.
Communication lining
After collecting the frame of the future home, it's time to conduct electrical wiring, sewers and, possibly, water. First you need to outline and cut holes for pipes and cables with a gas cutter. Carrying out these works is strictly regulated and regulated. Therefore, it is better to entrust these works to a team of professionals.
Copper wires are better than aluminum, and therefore preference should be given to them. Copper, unlike aluminum, does not oxidize in air and is more ductile, which leads to its good performance. At the same time, a copper wire can power more devices and not overheat.
The procedure is as follows: a schematic diagram is developed and planned, the most suitable place for installing a switchboard is designated, walls and a ceiling are marked, wiring is laid, sockets are installed, a switchboard is installed, system operation testing.
Interior and exterior decoration, insulation
The decoration of the room is also better to entrust to specialists. Especially if there is no experience in carrying out such work.
The most commonly used drywall, since it is much cheaper than other materials. It is allowed to insulate walls in parallel and fasten drywall sheets. So time is won. Plasterboard also runs interior partitions in accordance with the layout of the room. Although more and more often metal sheet is used as a material for walls.
In drywall sheets, spotlights are often installed. This gives personality to the interior of the house.
There are no differences when using gypsum plasterboard for walls and ceilings: the same principle and fixing mechanism are used. However, stretch ceilings are often mounted. Due to the small height of the container, multi-level ceilings are not recommended.
As insulation materials, polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam or mineral wool are used. Vata loses its ability to retain heat after 10 years of operation. Therefore, its use is undesirable and permissible only with a limited budget. Other materials are an order of magnitude superior in characteristics to cotton wool: the service life is at least 20 years. In addition, their installation is much simpler. Thermal insulation sits on glue to the inner metal surface of the container. The insulation is covered with a plastic film that acts as a vapor barrier.
Exterior materials are siding, plaster, plastic panels, stone (natural or artificial) and a block house.
For the installation of plastic, block house and siding, a wooden crate is needed. Lattice wood is impregnated with a stain or painted with varnish. So it will not be subject to decay. Decorative plaster is applied to the surface with a spatula, but marble slabs must be glued with special glue.
Photos and designs of houses from containers are amazing. There is a desire to take and build such a house for yourself so that you can spend long winter evenings in it by the fireplace.