Outside the box thinkers put shipping containers to another use

http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=559

AZoBuild.com
April 2004

Many North Americans are learning what ocean freight insiders, and port city dwellers have long known; cargo boxes make great low cost buildings. Paul Sawyers, author of "Intermodal Shipping Containers for use as Steel Buildings", has seen people create everything from fifth wheel covers to bomb shelters using these units. "The fact that so many folks are interested in these buildings really says a lot. People are on a tight budget these days, and some can't afford pre-fabricated steel buildings. Plus, lumber is always going up in price". With real estate being the hottest thing going now, it only stands to reason that all things real estate related, such as building materials, lumber, and labour are skyrocketing in price.

Savvy do-it-yourselfers have found another alternative; used ocean cargo boxes. The general public can purchase these units from the military, or from classified ads for only a few hundred dollars, and pay a trucking company to deliver them via flat bed truck. The units are pre-built, and ten times stronger than factory made steel buildings (and usually ten times cheaper too). "It's not uncommon to see someone set up a 8' x 40' or 16' x 20' Intermodal Container building for under $1100" says Mr. Sawyers. "You also have to keep in mind that these boxes are designed to hold up in a really brutal environment...the high seas". When asked how strong these containers actually are, I was surprised to hear that one single twenty foot unit, can support ten similar units stacked on top of it. Paul claims the most difficult task in setting up a IC Steel Building may be moving your unit into place. "Sometimes, if the delivery truck is not able to reach your 'back forty', you will have to move the unit into place yourself. This sounds difficult, but using steel pipes or logs and a truck, they tow pretty good. Once in place, you have an instant weather proof steel building". Minimal amounts of extra building materials (optional; for interior framing, insulation, paneling, windows, etc) can be used to fit-out your IC building.

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