Homeowners love shipping container homes mainly because of its cost. Shipping container houses are cheaper to build compared to conventional homes due to their inexpensive materials.
Shipping container home construction is faster, too. Since containers are pre-built, no need to build a home from scratch. Homeowners just need to modify the containers to fit a home.
What’s more, is that container homes are eco-friendly. Fabricators use less energy to create them. Most container homes are also made with recycled shipping containers.
However, there are challenges that need to be addressed when choosing to live in a shipping container home. One of the challenges is the insulation of the container home.
How Do You Insulate A Shipping Container Home?
You can insulate your shipping container in a number of ways. You can choose spray foam or Rockwool for your insulation.
To insulate your shipping container, you first build an inner frame like a stud wall inside your shipping container. Next is to mount your internal wall onto the frame. You can then use your insulation material to fill the space between the inner wall and the metal of the container. When done, you can cover the frame and insulation with ply, melamine, or other material.
Shipping Container Home Insulation Material
Image Source: Alvinsa
Any material that has insulating properties can be used as a shipping container insulation material. Here are the usual types of shipping container insulation materials.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is extremely flexible and can be sprinkled into gaps of any size. However, it is not generally a do-it-yourself project. It is time-consuming to install and presents a known off-gassing hazard. Moreover, it is more pricey compared to other types of insulation.
Fiberglass
Using fiberglass as container insulation can be tricky and complicated. It is not a DIY kind of job. It requires wood framing that will take up quite a bit of space inside the container. To be able for it to work effectively, it has to be in continuous contact with the surrounding surfaces on all six sides.
While fiberglass may be less expensive than other options, it does not stand up well to moisture. It can cause mold, rot, and poor indoor air quality that will eventually damage the steel container.
Rockwool
Rockwool is another powerful insulator placed inside the container, then covered with either ply or melamine boards. It is greatly cheap and will perform very well as long as you ensure all cavities are well-filled with no free air gaps.
Kingspan
Kingspan is another type of insulation that you can install within the container. Then, cover it with ply or melamine boards.
Any material that has insulating qualities can be used to insulate steel containers. This provides options for those who want to recycle other materials in their containers.
Factors To Consider When Insulating A Shipping Container Home
Insulating a shipping container is important to prevent condensation when converting it into a home, office, or any other structure.
But there are some factors to keep in mind when insulating a shipping container.
1. The climate
Shipping container homes are built in the Arctic and the tropics. These places have different climates. Each climate needs different materials, styles, and processes.
Before you make any decisions about insulation, you have to consider first the climate of the place you want your shipping container home.
All your insulation decisions need to begin with the climate. The insulation will keep the climate outside to stay outside and the temperature inside to stay inside. The greater the temperature you face, the more insulation you need.
If you are building a container home in a temperate climate, you may highlight weatherproofing instead of insulation.
2. House Design
The outside area affects how much heat leaves or enters the shipping container home. The bigger the surface area you have, the greater insulation you need. The most practical layout is one large square or rectangle as it reduces the ratio between inner space and exterior area.
3. Vacation or Permanent Home
Some people use shipping container homes as three-season vacation homes. They love to use them during spring, fall, and summer.
If you won’t use your container home during extreme temperatures, you can simply design with less insulation and less heating or cooling power.
4. Hiring a contractor or doing-it-yourself (DIY)
Before you start building your container home, decide first how much work you can do yourself.
A DIY container home will let you save more money. You also get the satisfaction of constructing your own home. But hiring contractors can make the construction process much faster.
5. A vapor barrier
The inside of a shipping container can sweat due to the humid weather. The condensed water makes the steel rust and can destroy the internal construction material like wood or drywall. It can make your home deteriorate much faster.
Putting a vapor barrier may help prevent the potential issues caused by a vapor barrier. You can create a vapor barrier by using wraps, like Tyvek, on the interior of the home.
This method, however, does not solve the problem of water condensation on steel. The spray foam creates a firm seal directly on the steel and the chemicals are dangerous, so it’s important to ask for assistance from an expert on this matter.
6. Cooling, Heating or Both
Heating and cooling have varied solutions when it comes to insulation. Heat loss happens mainly on your roof and your windows. One pane of glass can release as much as ten times the heat as an insulated wall.
To keep the sun from affecting the temperature inside the container needs effective insulation unless you use a material that reflects the heat - a radiant barrier. You can use special paints or reflective materials on the surface of your shipping container. You may also opt to put a rooftop garden to keep out radiant heat in the summer.
In a primarily cold climate, you may draw in the sun’s radiant heat and prevent heat from leaving the home or find an area with plenty of light and line the outer area with something not reflective.
7. Eco-Friendly Materials
Many people build shipping container homes because they desire an environmentally-friendly home.
Shipping containers themselves are mostly recycled and you can find insulation supplies that are environment-friendly too.
Conclusion
Insulating your shipping container is a very important step in the building process to make it homey. It is a definite priority if you plan to turn a container into a home or space where people will be staying for a longer period. The insulation does not just protect you against high and low temperatures but also prevents condensation which can increase corrosion rates and allow mold to form.
