Types Of Popular Shipping Container Conversions

Shipping containers have been around for a while now – since 1955 to be precise. During the better part of their

existence, shipping containers have mostly been used for a single purpose, and that is transporting cargo across

vast oceans.

The features that have made them so popular in shipping are their robust construction, durability, affordability and

high security. This has enabled shippers to transport goods safely and securely over long rough distances.

Over the last few decades, however, shipping containers have been increasingly venturing out of their comfort

zone and getting new and creative uses outside shipping: construction. It is the same features that made them

powerhouses in shipping – i.e. robustness, durability, affordability, and secureness – that are making them very

attractive construction materials. Shipping containers are now being converted into a number of structures to

solve shelter-related problems.

The use of shipping containers for construction has also been boosted by the increasing environmental

awareness by the worldwide population. People are increasingly turning to more sustainable lifestyles with

recycling and upcycling taking the centre stage in this movement. This has seen the number of container

conversions increase significantly.

Quick links:

Shipping containers converted into quick accommodation

Shipping containers converted into homes

Shipping containers converted to kitchens

Shipping containers converted to site offices

Shipping containers converted to toilets

Shipping containers converted into cafes

Shipping containers converted to granny flats

Shipping containers converted to garden sheds

Shipping containers converted into quick accommodation

Need to put together a living space in a short time with a small budget? Look no further. Speed and budget is

what shipping containers do best. A 20ft shipping container (with just a few modifications) can be converted into a

comfortable and secure living space to cater for temporary housing needs such as on-site accommodation. A

single container can fit a small living area, a bed and a small kitchenette for self-prepared meals.

Because this kind of units are made from one modular block, transporting them to a different area once the job is

complete is easy; just load it onto a truck and transport it to the next location of use. It’s that easy.

In Germany where they are facing a refugee crisis after the escalation of the Syrian crisis, authorities in one city

have come up with an ingenious plan to provide decent accommodation to refugees before their asylum

applications are processed. Housing units made of shipping containers stacked two high have been put up and

are providing relatively comfortable accommodation for more than 200 people.

This example shows just how easy and practical it is to construct quick accommodation using cargo containers

as the building material. They are readily available (virtually anywhere in the world) and once they have been

retired from shipping, they can be acquired quite cheaply too. This makes them perfect for this kind of use.

Benefits of using shipping containers for quick accommodation

1. It’s cheap. You wouldn’t want to spend too much money constructing a house to be used for just a short time.

Sea containers provide a cheap alternative with comparable durability relative to other “quick” construction

materials.

2. Fast to assemble. There are only two major tasks involved in constructing a simple house using containers;

getting it to the location and insulation. And if the area of use has a moderate climate, insulation might not be

necessary, just enough ventilation – nothing a blow torch can’t do.

3. Reuse value. After you are through using the accommodation, the container can be stripped and used for

another purpose.

Images sources:

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2010/11/off-grid-container-cabins-from-15k.html

Shipping containers converted into homes

Everyone dreams of owning a home at some point in their life. The high cost of constructing a home, however,

makes this dream very difficult to attain for the average person. Cargo containers provide an affordable material

for constructing a home at a fraction of the cost of a “traditional” home. The Daily Telegraph on an article they ran

a while back estimated that the cost of constructing a shipping container home could be as low as a fourth the

construction cost of a regular home. (Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/realestate/cheap-as-ships-

homes-built-from-shipping-containers-make-waves-with-cost-conscious-buyers/news-

story/b4410943f554fa64f49dae1e6e19b952)

For home construction, however, more than one shipping container (at least two) will be required to make a

comfortable living space. Ideally, the two should be joined together to create one seamless house from the

inside. And because this house will be used for quite a while, insulation, and a good foundation is a must.

Shipping container homes might also require a few more permits depending on zoning laws in your location. So

make sure to check with your local authorities before you purchase the shipping containers. If your budget is not

too constrained, you could bring in an architect to help with the design for a modern masterpiece.

A good example of a professionally designed shipping container home is this Graceville house built by Australia’s

own; Ziegler build. It is the largest shipping container home in Australia with a total floor space of 560m2 and a

total of 31 containers. (Source: http://www.zieglerbuild.com.au/#!jaora/c1ajn)

Benefits of using shipping containers for home construction

1. It’s cost effective. It’s far cheaper to construct a house using shipping containers than other materials. You

could even do it by yourself if you have the technical know-how which will save you some money.

2. It’s good for the environment. Building a home using this material makes use of an item that would have

otherwise become waste. By upcycling this item, the environmental footprint of constructing a house is

significantly reduced.

3. It’s quick to construct. It takes an average of about 8 months to build a house using regular building

materials. This time can be reduced to a few weeks when shipping containers are used – especially where all the

modifications are done off-site.

Image sources:

http://www.zieglerbuild.com.au/#!jaora/c1ajn

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/container-summer-residence-great-for-nature-lovers/

http://www.zigloo.ca/zigloo_domestique_hd/

Shipping containers converted to kitchens

If you need a commercial or light-duty kitchen either for on-grid or off-grid use, shipping containers provide a way

for you to do it quick, easy and in a cost efficient way.

As with any other kitchen, cleanliness is of the utmost importance when it comes to this kind of kitchens.

A standard container modification to create a kitchen usually involves lining the interior with stainless steel,

installing the necessary plumbing for sinks and taps and installing vents to take out all the hot air and steam.

Depending on your needs, you could either use a single container (20ft or 40ft) or have two or more welded

together to create a larger space. Shipping containers make for excellent takeout eateries and on-site kitchens

because they are non-permanent structures that can easily be installed.

Advantages of shipping container kitchens

1. Mobility. Because shipping containers are made of a single modular structure, moving them around is very

easy. Plus you can trust the shipping container to keep everything inside safe during transportation – because it’s

what they do best.

2. Inexpensive. Buying a shipping container for this use is cheaper than building a kitchen or renting a space for

your kitchen.

Image sources:

http://www.apollofoodtrucks.com/Shipping-Container-Kitchen.php

http://inhabitat.com/muvbox-fast-food-shipping-container-restaurant/

Shipping containers converted to site offices

For cargo container on-site offices, not a lot of modifications are required to make the transformation. If the place

of use has extreme weather conditions, insulation might be necessary but otherwise installing windows and vents

will be enough to moderate temperatures.

The robust construction of shipping containers and ability to keep the elements at bay make them perfect for this

use. Containers are secure enough to protect the important items usually kept in an office.

Benefits of modifying containers to site offices

1. It’s easy to construct. It takes very little time to put together this kind of office. The modifications can be done

off-site to reduce this time.

2. It’s easy to move. On-site work ends after the project ends and the temporary structures set up need to be

moved. Shipping containers are easy to transport.

3. It’s inexpensive. Since the office will only be used for a short while, constructing an elaborate structure would

not make economic sense.

Image sources:

http://www.container.com/mobile-offices/

http://www.containersandmore.co.uk/useful-resources/news-blog/entry/construction-site-needed-shipping-

container-hire-project-for-20ft-container-store-stacked-office-drying-room-and-toilet.html

Shipping containers converted to toilets

Toilets are one of the most important facilities of modern living. Without them, maintaining hygiene would be an

impossible task. Where there are people, lavatory facilities are a must have.

Although shipping container toilets can be installed anywhere, their best use is as portable toilets. Their large size

enables the creation of a complete ablution block with all washroom amenities under one roof.

They are ideal for out of town events, on-site use and for large gatherings where the existing washrooms are

inadequate for the increased number of people.

Container washrooms are a bit difficult to make for DIY due to the complexity of systems and the time it would

take.

This kind of washrooms resembles regular washrooms with all the amenities you have come to expect.

Advantages of using shipping containers for ablution blocks

1. A lot of available space. Shipping containers provide enough space for the installation a complete ablution

block for improved convenience.

2. Portability. Moving the complete unit from one location to another is relatively easy.

3. Durability. Shipping containers are made to withstand the harsh sea environment which means that it will last

for a long time on land where conditions are less harsh.

Image sources:

http://www.dropboxinc.com/shipping/container/modification/blog/bid/83884/DropBox-Inc-Builds-Custom-Shipping-

Container-Restroom-with-Siding

http://www.containercabins.co.uk/view_detail.php?id=109

Shipping containers converted into cafes

Starting a new business requires a lot of capital. Most of this money goes towards securing a space to set it up

In. By using cargo containers to construct your café, start-up costs can be reduced significantly. In addition to the

cost benefits, shipping containers have a modern industrial chic look which is becoming quite popular in

Australia.

Modifications for this kind of set-up include installation of sinks, counters and the plumbing that goes into a café.

A sitting area can also be incorporated if space is available.

Benefits of converting shipping container into cafes

1. They are easy to move around. Because they are easy to transport, this kind of cafes would do well at

events such as concerts, rallies, and out-of-town events. You can easily move it from one location to another.

2. Easy to start-up. This is because of the reduced initial capital of starting the business and the few

modifications required to convert a shipping container into a café.

Image sources:

http://www.remodelista.com/posts/hotels-lodging-restaurants-suppenk-che-biergarten-in-sf/

https://shipped.com/blog/simons-shipping-container-cafe/

Shipping containers converted to granny flats

Whether you need an extra room for one of your kids, a guest house or a place to rent out for some extra income,

granny flats offer one of the easiest ways of adding an extra room to your house. And when you use a sea

container to construct it, it becomes even much easier.

Container modifications for granny flats are pretty similar to those of a container house; insulation is important

and a firm foundation has to be laid as this structure is meant to last a long while. If you’re handy, a cargo

container granny flat is something you can install by yourself and make the necessary modifications. You can

also choose to have it done by a professional which will not add too much to the cost.

Advantages of shipping container granny flats

1. Quick to construct. Constructing a granny flat from a sea container is pretty easy and does not take as

much time as it would if you used other materials.

2. It’s cheap. The use of the shipping container keeps the cost of construction low and affordable.

Image sources:

http://tinyhouselistings.com/creative-tiny-house-tiny-container-home/

http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/smaller-texas#1

Shipping containers converted to garden sheds

When your garage is becoming too small for your stuff or you need some extra room for your projects, construct

a shed. A shed is an outdoor space that can be used for anything you want. It can be a home office, workshop,

store or even your man cave. Constructing a shed from a shipping container is pretty easy, something you can do

by yourself.

Since sheds are not meant to be lived in, not a lot of modifications are required. Install a door, some windows, a

few shelves and you’re good.

Benefits of a cargo container shed

1. It’s very easy to construct. Making a shed from a container is relatively easy and can be taken on as a DIY

project.

2. It’s quick to make. In just a few days your shed will be ready for use.

3. It’s durable. Thanks to the ruggedness of the shipping container, your shed will have a very long lifespan.

Image sources:

http://shippingcontainerstudio.blogspot.co.ke/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/21392166951199241/

Need a shipping container for your project? Well, look no further than Tiger Containers

www.tigercontainers.com