Which Types Are Better Than Others?

[@Lyudtaru]

This channel deserves a lot more subscribers.

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@noahautumn7611]

Good information 💡

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Thank you. Let me know if you have any questions I can cover in another video.

[@MaxZ-x3e]

Hi Larry, I share your fascination with shipping container homes. You're doing a great service to many. The relaxed ADU laws have prompted me to start designing mine here in northern CA - (2) 20' containers side-by-side, then 2 more on top of those. Do open-side containers need any additional structural support around the opening? I'll be stacking on on top of the other where my property has a view. Thanks!

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Be sure to check with a structural engineer. It is very likely you will need additional structural support. This is especially true when windows and additional doors are cut out from the sides.

[@levmanou9874]

Thanks!

[@liveinacontainer6602]

No problem!

[@Richie5480]

They also make a 45’ can.

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Thank you for the information.

[@frustrated181]

Where can you purchase used ones that's not a arm and leg I know the prices have gone up but is there any place you can recommend or where to look

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Depending on where you live, you can find used shipping containers for sale. There are several FB groups about shipping container homes where many members share where to find good buys.

[@sleeperwaking7892]

I'm hoping to buy a 32 x 10ft ex office/canteen container to convert into a one bedroom retirement home. Would this be classed as a domestic container, more importantly, could I ship it abroad? Thank you.

[@liveinacontainer6602]

I will need to learn more about the 10 ft wide containers to answer your questions. If you find out the answers, let me know.

[@kumark214]

No. They are not ISO containers. ISO are 8’ wide and needs to be cargo worthy design and build that is certified by marine container inspectors.

[@terraplane7655]

Great overview, thank you! As I understand "as soon as you make a hole," e.g.add a window, door, skylight etc. to a shipping container, you significantly compromise the strength. I realize there are workarounds, but are any of the containers built stronger to make up for these factory openings? Convertible cars are heavier because they have to reinforce the chassis to make up for the missing roof, b and c pillars etc. On that note...would an "open top" or even a "tunnel" be made with reinforcements, heavier steel etc. than a standard one? It's possible an open top may not be able to be stacked as high as standard ones, I'm not sure. Just curious. I didn't know open tops existed, and it seems like a great way to add insulation, height, run wires etc. if you could find a good roof solution (looking to build the "ultimate shop" from a 40ft. high cube (Phoenix, AZ so insulation will be everything).

[@liveinacontainer6602]

Just keep in mind the shipping containers are not built to be used for building structures. Their only designed purpose is to contain cargo while being stacked and transported on ships that are tossed around on rough seas. They are not built to have holes cut through them.

[@kumark214]

That’s not correct. The load bearing elements of the container are only the frame structures. It is not dependent on the side panels. They are there just to protect the cargo. The design strength of the containers is very high that residential loads are negligible. A 1000 ton load on the 4 corners is not an issue for these boxes. You can cut the sheets and put in doors and windows without any issues as long as you don’t mess with the frame structures.

[@kumark214]

@@liveinacontainer6602actually you can cut holes as long as the frame is intact which be is the load bearing and load transfer elements.

[@kumark214]

And yes, they are not designed for home uses but structurally over-designed for very low relative loads for a residence.

[@kumark214]

Open tops are reinforced compared to dry vans. Also all ISO container has to be capable of being stacked 9 high. Including open tops, tanker containers etc. Each container can be loaded to 30 tons so you can see what kind of loads a box can take. It’s not ISO and can’t go on a container ship if it can’t take those loads as you never know which box ends up on the bottom of the stack.