Rural Maine couple lives in 2 shipping containers modified with folding bed, sink, to

[MNeagle]

Rural Maine couple lives in 2 shipping containers modified with folding bed, sink, toilet

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/630*384/1container062111.jpg

ELLSWORTH, Maine - A rural Maine couple calls home a pair of former shipping containers bought online for $1,500.

Trevor Seip and Jennifer Sansosti have spent a year modifying the containers on their 63-acre property in Ellsworth, where they hope to eventually build a conventional home.

Each container measures 20 feet long, 8 feet high and 8 feet wide. One is insulated, plumbed and wired. It boasts a bed and table that fold against the wall, a sink, a camp stove, a propane heater, a shower and a composting toilet. The other has a closet and a folding futon.

Sansosti tells the Bangor Daily News in Monday's editions every inch of the 160 square feet of floor space was used.

Seip lived in Stroudsburg, Pa. Sansosti is from New York City. They say Maine is more tolerant of their unconventional housing choice.

http://www.startribune.com/nation/124214033.html

pic at link

[palani]

I have seen some decent travel trailers go for the same sum. They are livable.

[JJ.G0ldD0t]

Interesting. They are resourceful.


More detail at

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/06/18/news/state/have-container-will-settle-couple-homesteading-in-ellsworth-woods-put-a-new-twist-on-going-off-the-grid/

[madfranks]

I have a friend who is considering doing the same - stacking a few shipping containers to use as an exterior housing shell and finishing the interior to be a livable space. From what I have researched it's incredibly cost effective and those containers are big enough to use as living spaces. If he goes through with it, I'll be his architect and we're going to write a book documenting the process to help others do the same thing.

[Ash_Williams]

A buddy of mine got one of the 53' trailers from a company that ships frozen food. First of all, he paid less than the huge solid aluminum floor is worth so it was a no-brainer. It also turns out the thing is amazingly well insulated, such that it will hold heat for hours on the coldest day, or stay cool on the hottest day. It may as well be a basement.

I would want to use one of those, combined with good windows, if I wanted to build a trailer-home.

Trailers and mobile homes are impressive anyway - the things had vynl and aluminum doors decades ago while the rest of us were stuck sanding the flakely paint off our wood windows and repainting every couples of years, and dealing with drafts. Metal framed too, keeping an old trailer in the same shape as it was when new while houses are sagging. Metal roofs to avoid replacing idiotic shingles. And if you want a building that won't get damaged in an earthquake, look at a mobile home. Lots of innnovations there that should be applied to regular homes but it seems they never are.

[SLV^GLD]

And if you want a building that won't get damaged in an earthquake, look at a mobile home.

While I am not disagreeing with the spirit of this statement I can't help but think of how many times I've seen this:

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/12802845/2/istockphoto_12802845-mobile-home-on-cinder-blocks.jpg

[Gaillo]

While I am not disagreeing with the spirit of this statement I can't help but think of how many times I've seen this:

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/12802845/2/istockphoto_12802845-mobile-home-on-cinder-blocks.jpg

He said earthquake-proof, not idiot-proof! ;D

[palani]

You might take a drive along the upper Mississippi River basin and spot mobile homes on stilts sufficient to let the river flow under. High water is more predictable than earthquake.

[osoab]

While I am not disagreeing with the spirit of this statement I can't help but think of how many times I've seen this:

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/12802845/2/istockphoto_12802845-mobile-home-on-cinder-blocks.jpg

Check this site out for better pics. http://www.missouritrailertrash.com/

http://www.missouritrailertrash.com/highlife.jpg

[hoarder]

I have built a couple barns out of shipping containers. This one I built in Texas:

[hoarder]

Here's one I built in Montana:

[LuckyStrike]

I lived in a 200sqft loft of a barn for 2.5 years. Best damn time of my life. Rent was 150 a month, I tried to eat for 1FRN per meal, and I saved money like a sonofabitch.

I'd live in a shipping container now if I could convince my wife, but if it was me I'd partially bury them on a hill if possible, or better yet dig a hole, pour a slab, put the container on it pour concrete around it and fill it over with dirt. Personally if I had 2 containers like these people I would cut out the sides and put them together then weld them together.

[hoarder]

Shipping containers are not ideally suited for burying because the sides will bow in. I camped in mine quite a bit when I built my place. They are very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The insulated ones are less than 7 feet wide inside.
You could spend many hours and FRN's making one livable, but it would be way more secure than a mobile home.

Lately the prices have gone up and it's difficult to find cheap ones. It must be the price of steel.

For a barn the advantages are not having to do any concrete foundation and having the contents secure from mice and insects, and having a secure box immediately. The roof is kinda flimsy by itself, the stacking strength is in the corners. If subject to 6 feet of snow, jam a couple 2x4 prop sticks in the middle to prevent sag. They really need a roof over them anyway, otherwise they are hot inside.

The 20 footers can be hauled just about anywhere with a tilt bed tow truck. The 40 footers require an 18 wheeler. Vermin like to live under them. I welded plates over the forklift slots and spread road base around the perimeter to keep them out.

[Libertarian_Guard]

Outstanding work Hoarder. I’m impressed!

[Hillbilly]

In high school (almost 20 years ago) we were given the assignment of designing a house. I chose a shipping container for mine and I got and F and was told I was being "Facetious" I wish I could find that paper now LOL

[mightymanx]

I have seen lots of thse shipping container bars but not one that nice.

That is going to be the first perminant structure at my new place when I pick it.

I want going to slightly larger 2 conex high with roof and 40' long So I can park my M109 under it and still be able to live out of the M109

I was also thinking of using your style for the sawmill one side a dryer and the other a storage shedwith the sawmill in the center.

[Shami-Amourae]

What states can you legally do this stuff? I mean, aren't there like a billion ordinances and zoning laws that make living in anything other than an apartment, or a McMansion illegal?

http://static.bangordailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/containerhome0620_kc02-600x395.jpg
Berkey Light FTW!!

[palani]

What states can you legally do this stuff? I mean, aren't there like a billion ordinances and zoning laws that make living in anything other than an apartment, or a McMansion illegal?

Are there ordinances or zoning laws that apply to your private property?

If a permit has not been applied for then no legal fiction has been created.

Is living in an apartment of McMansion (that has an occupancy permit issued) ... would that be a government benefit?

[madfranks]

A client of mine is having me design him a container-storage warehouse. Pretty simple, similar to what hoarder posted above. Once it's built I'll post some photos, right now it's all on paper. :)

[madfranks]

Here's a section I drew showing how the container will integrate with the structure. There will be some shear issues with the little stub wall, but that shouldn't be too difficult to solve.

466

[hoarder]

Here's a section I drew showing how the container will integrate with the structure. There will be some shear issues with the little stub wall, but that shouldn't be too difficult to solve. You can also get 45 foot containers that are 9' tall. The container in your drawing is shown to be 8' tall. I don't think they make any that height. Standard is 8' inside, 8' 6" outside height.
If you have to make up height to reach the customers specs, you could also raise the foundation the required amount and set the trusses directly on the container for rigidity.

[madfranks]

Yep, but my client has an 8'x8'x40' on hand, and he wants the main doors to be 8'-0" high, so plate height will be 9'-0".

[hoarder]

Yep, but my client has an 8'x8'x40' on hand, and he wants the main doors to be 8'-0" high, so plate height will be 9'-0".I'd double check those measurements. All mine are 8',6" tall.

[madfranks]

I checked the specs from the Conex website, and you're absolutely right, it's 8'-6" high! Good to have that corrected info!

[mick silver]

http://www.iport.com/storage_container.html

[madfranks]

Ha ha. The county won't let us build it. They said the required connections to anchor the container to the slab were "unconventional" and they won't allow it. Even though we have a registered structural engineer who said it wasn't a problem and a licensed architect (me) who also said it wasn't a problem, but the building official, likely some guy with a high school diploma, doesn't like it and he's the "authority" so that's that. So it will be a simple stick framed warehouse instead.

[osoab]

Ha ha. The county won't let us build it. They said the required connections to anchor the container to the slab were "unconventional" and they won't allow it. Even though we have a registered structural engineer who said it wasn't a problem and a licensed architect (me) who also said it wasn't a problem, but the building official, likely some guy with a high school diploma, doesn't like it and he's the "authority" so that's that. So it will be a simple stick framed warehouse instead.

Go above his head. The guy is probably a known jerkoff.

[Dogman]

Ha ha. The county won't let us build it. They said the required connections to anchor the container to the slab were "unconventional" and they won't allow it. Even though we have a registered structural engineer who said it wasn't a problem and a licensed architect (me) who also said it wasn't a problem, but the building official, likely some guy with a high school diploma, doesn't like it and he's the "authority" so that's that. So it will be a simple stick framed warehouse instead. In your area are metal buildings anchored with bolts? And anyone that thinks a plate anchored to a concrete slab by concrete nails is strong, really needs to have their heads examined. And most houses are built that way. Or lag the containers down, that is another accepted way to anchor to concrete. Stronger than using concrete nails.

The guy is a dweeb.

[hoarder]

Idiot bureaucrats live in a world of procedures. Any deviation from authoritarian "standard procedures" is a no-go. Try reasoning with him if you doubt what I stated.

Why do you live where there are building codes?

[madfranks]

Naw, the building dept where this was going to be built it notorious for being difficult. It wasn't just one guy, it was a meeting with the planning dept, and they unanimously said they won't allow any unconventional structures.

We were going to drill holes in the container and align it with anchor bolts embedded in the slab at 36" o.c., then lay the sill plate down and bolt it.

Anyway, it's a done deal now, the owner made the call to just do a simple stick framed warehouse so that's what we're doing now. Just another instance of the state impeding progress rather than encouraging it.

[ximmy]

I have been thinking of carport(s) that can slip-fit shipping containers and look architecturally pleasing... also bypasses most permit requirements.
541542

[madfranks]

Why do you live where there are building codes?

Where I live makes no difference, nor where my client lives. Where he wanted to build was under the jurisdiction of a particular county that enforced building codes for commercial structures.

[Road Runner]

I know this is an older thread but I was excited when I found it cause I just bought one of those containers for storage. Our son used it to move out here from Washington 4 yrs. ago. They are so nice, I can't wait to fill it up. I plan on running a bar across the width to hang some extra winter type things and put shelving along the sides for extra preps and things that just take up too much room in the house. It is amazing the ideas a person can come up with to utilized these containers. I am going to scroll down and look closer, I think someone used them for a barn. Thanks MNEagle.

[Road Runner]

Wow, hoarder that is a really nice barn. Neat idea too.

[gunDriller]

Each container measures 20 feet long, 8 feet high and 8 feet wide. One is insulated, plumbed and wired. It boasts a bed and table that fold against the wall, a sink, a camp stove, a propane heater, a shower and a composting toilet. The other has a closet and a folding futon.

the first time i ever used a composting toilet, i was surprised. No Smell ! i was expecting something more like an outhouse.



Shipping containers are not ideally suited for burying because the sides will bow in. I camped in mine quite a bit when I built my place. They are very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The insulated ones are less than 7 feet wide inside.
You could spend many hours and FRN's making one livable, but it would be way more secure than a mobile home.

Lately the prices have gone up and it's difficult to find cheap ones. It must be the price of steel.

it only needs to be buried about 3 feet to make contact with the "under-soil", the ground that stays about 55 degrees F year round. provides heating in the winter, cooling in the summer.