The container house is becoming more and more attractive. It pleases with its modularity and its assertive industrial style and this type of construction is essential today in contemporary architecture. Discover the world of this atypical habitat, which does not lack originality.
A container house is built from several shipping containers assembled together using a metal frame. This modular construction method, used in the 1990s in China for temporary housing, then in the early 2000s in the Netherlands for student residences, is attractive today with its industrial spirit. In this article, discover the advantages and disadvantages of the container house, as well as all the essential information to understand the construction of this unusual and trendy habitat.
A habitat with many advantages
The structure of a container house is pre-built and in most cases does not require any foundations to be installed, so it is a very quick construction. Modular, it is therefore scalable and allows you to create a fully customizable house according to everyone’s needs and desires. Its price remains very competitive in comparison with the costs linked to the construction of traditional homes and its solidity is foolproof.
A real house but some drawbacks
This unusual habitat still presents some disadvantages which must be taken into account before taking the plunge. The reduced interior width of containers (from 1.86 to 2.40 m) can in fact restrict the interior design possibilities. However, the containers can be easily cut and assembled to optimize the interior space of the construction. The poor thermal performance of the metal frame of the containers must be reinforced to avoid infiltration. The “Faraday Cage” effect of the metal structure of the containers makes them hermetic to external electric fields, causing the malfunction of certain devices (smartphone, radio, television, etc.) inside the construction. Finally, the marked industrial design, which may not be suitable for all environments.
Is a building permit required for a container house?
Before undertaking the construction of a container house, you must first ensure that your project is in accordance with the Local Urban Plan (PLU) of your municipality. Once done, you must submit a building permit application to the town hall by attaching a document attesting that your future construction complies with the thermal regulation RT 2012.
How to build a container house?
There building a container house is relatively quick compared to traditional construction. It is indeed necessary to count 5 to 7 months between the building permit application and the construction of the house. Here are the main stages of building a container house after validation of the building permit application:
- Connections to various networks (electricity, gas, sewerage, etc.)
- Manufacturing of the container house modules by the builder
- Delivery of modules
- Assembly of the house
- Exterior coverings
- Interior finishes
Can we make an extension with a container house?
This construction system is based on modularity, it is therefore entirely possible to achieve a extension with a container house. An extension with container modules is a turnkey solution with an average price of 15 to 25% cheaper than that of a traditional extension. Good to know: if the floor area of the extension is less than 20 m², no building permit application is required.
How much does a container house cost?
The average price of a container house ranges between 900 and 2200 euros per m²knowing that this price may vary depending on the interior fittings and finishes desired. Also, if you wish to have a precise estimate for your container house project, do not hesitate to call on a professional specialized in this type of construction.
