Expandable Container House Advantages, Installation Steps

Expandable container houses have become a popular residential housing choice due to their low cost, beauty, versatility, and durability.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Q-box sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

China’s expandable container houses are more famous in the world, do you want to know more about expandable container houses? Are you interested in buying expandable container house? We will share with you everything related to Expandable Container House, please follow us to continue reading!

Table of Contents

• Why Expandable Container House Is So Popular?
• What Expandable Container Houses We Offer?
• Expandable Container House Installation Steps
• How to determine if it is right for you?
• Is expandable container housing worth investing in?
• Why Choose Us?

Why Expandable Container House Is So Popular?

1. Low cost: compared to traditional building, Expandable Container House costs a lot less.
2. Fast Installation: It is a prefabricated building, which is assembled in the factory, so it is easy and fast to install at the customer’s site.
3. Good heat preservation and insulation performance: the inner and outer wall panels are made of 50mm-75mm EPS color steel composite panels, which solves the problems of heat preservation, insulation and sound insulation.
4. Multiple sizes: Includes different sizes such as 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, etc.; multiple layouts, including 1-4 bedroom layouts are available.
5. High flexibility: belonging to modularized building, it can be turned into multi-storey residence, office, store, etc. through splicing and stacking.
6. Highly customizable: interior layout, interior decoration, electrics, plumbing, etc. can be customized, and the electrics can meet the national standards to which the customer belongs.

These are the advantages of our expandable container house, if you are interested in customized expandable container house, you can contact us for details.

Interior layout of 40ft double wing expandable container house show

What Expandable Container Houses We Offer?

Container houses include monolithic container houses, folding container houses, modular container houses, among which expandable container houses are the most popular modular container houses at present.

We can supply all the above three types of container houses, among which the double-wing expandable container houses are our popular products, the double-wing expandable houses include the sizes of 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, 40ft.

Expandable Container House Installation Steps

Preparation of tools and personnel

Due to the large weight of the product, it needs crane, 4-5 personnel to assist the installation, and tools such as electric drill and cross drill bit.

Choose a suitable installation site

Confirm the geological conditions of the installation site (e.g. bearing capacity, drainage), and choose a compacted and level ground to place or install the products.

Placement of container house

Lift the product accurately to the determined installation location with a crane, and use a level to calibrate to ensure that the box is perfectly level.

Unfolding the container house

As the container house is folded during transportation, we need to unfold the container house.

Find the fixed panel on the side, loosen the screws on the fixed panel, and then unfold it outward. Generally the right side is unfolded first, and then the left side is unfolded, the unfolding steps can refer to the video below:

Screw fixing

The screw holes reserved on the roof, internal and external walls are fixed with self-tapping screws to ensure all connections are secure.

Sealing

Paste waterproof adhesive tape at the joints between the main box and the expansion board, and apply structural adhesive at the joints between the side base and the side wall to ensure sealing and waterproofing.

Electrical system connection

• The main cable (cross-sectional area ≥6mm²) is connected to the distribution box through waterproof connector, and an earth leakage protector (action current ≤30mA) must be installed.
• The box prefabrication has pre-buried PVC wiring pipe (lighting, socket circuit separation), the site needs to expand the area lamps and lanterns (such as LED flat panel light) and the main box distribution box connection, zero line and ground line need to be differentiated by color (zero line blue, ground line yellow-green dual-color).

Water supply and drainage installation

• Water supply pipe: PPR pipe (hot melt connection), cold water and hot water pipe spacing ≥ 15cm, expanding the bathroom faucet and the main box water tank connection.
• Drainage system: floor drains and toilet sewage pipes in the expansion area are connected to the main box sewage pipe (110mm in diameter), and the slope is controlled at 2%-3%.

Functional debugging and safety inspection

• Structural safety check: check all bolts, welding points and the stability of the expansion mechanism.
• Functionality test: check the water and electricity system for water and electricity leakage.

How to determine if it is right for you?

1. Budget assessment:Although the initial cost is 30-50% lower than traditional construction, the need for high-end customization (e.g. intelligent systems, special materials) may make the total price exceed expectations.
2. Space and site requirements: different sizes of single expandable container house covers an area of 18 square meters -76 square meters, if you need more than one for the combination, the area required will be larger.
3. Policy support: Although most of the over support, but it is best to determine whether your country supports the construction of containerized housing.

Is expandable container housing worth investing in?

The answer is yes. Expandable container housing is an innovative choice with great investment value.

Green and sustainable development

• More than 90% of materials can be recycled, and construction waste is reduced by more than 90%, which is in line with the global carbon neutrality goal.
• Integrate green technologies such as solar panels and rainwater collection systems to reduce long-term operating energy consumption.

Significant cost-effectiveness

• The initial investment is 40%-60% lower than that of traditional buildings, and the construction period is shortened by 90%.
• The modular design is easy to reuse, and the long-term use cost is reduced by more than 50%.

Wide range of applications

Expandable container houses can be seen from residential areas to commercial operations, public services, etc.

Why Choose Us?

• Years of industry experience, to develop high-quality, cost-effective solutions for customers.
• Various sizes, different configurations, house layouts, basic models to customized models, can be supplied.
• A complete supply chain, from raw materials to finished products, is strictly tested to ensure product quality.

The 2 story shipping container homes are a suitable accommodation solution for those with limited land space. Essentially, they consist of container units stacked on top of each other to create a two-story structure.

They are equipped with corner castings at the corners, and forklift pockets on the sides of the container make it easy to lift container units onto each other. In other words, these two features make the construction of a two-story container house possible.

The cost of building 2-story shipping container homes can vary widely depending on multiple factors. While the use of shipping containers offers savings compared to traditional construction, several variables still impact the final price.

To know what they are, find out in this article!

Key Factors Affecting the 2-Story Container Home Price

Here’s a breakdown of the factors affecting the 2 story shipping container homes price:

1. Number and Size of Containers

The number and size of shipping containers used in a 2-story container home have a direct impact on the overall price.

Using more containers increases initial material, foundation, cutting, welding, reinforcement needs interior finish, and labor costs.

2. Site Preparation and Foundation

Site preparation and foundation work play a major role in determining the total price of a 2-story shipping container home. 

These are essential, non-skippable steps, and their cost can vary dramatically depending on location, land conditions, and design.

Costs vary based on soil quality, topography, urban vs rural location, and type of foundation.

3. Structural Modifications

Cutting containers for doors, windows, stairwells, or open-concept rooms requires reinforcement. 

However, more cuts mean more steel, welding, and labor costs. Also, removing too much steel can compromise the structure, requiring added framing or beams.

Are you interested in learning more about 10ft Expandable Container Home? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Additional resources:
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4. Insulation and Climate Control

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Metal containers are poor insulators; you’ll need proper insulation to prevent heat/cold issues. Insulation and climate control significantly affect the price of a 2-story shipping container home, and they are essential for making the space livable.

5. Plumbing & Electrical Work

Routing services inside containers requires framing and careful planning. The cost for that varies, depending on local building codes, distance to utility connections, and quality of fixtures and appliances.

6. Interior Finishes

While the containers themselves provide the structure, the interior finish determines the livability, comfort, and cost. Custom, high-end interiors can double the cost compared to basic finishes.

Budget finishes like vinyl flooring, laminate counters, and basic drywall are much cheaper than hardwood floors, quartz or granite countertops, custom cabinetry, and designer fixtures.

7. Labor Costs

Labor costs affect the price of a 2-story shipping container home. In fact, it is one of the biggest variables in the total cost of your project.

It varies by region. Rural areas or countries with low wages will have a cheaper cost. Meanwhile, urban or high-cost-of-living areas will have the expensive one. 

For example, labor in California or New York could cost 2–3x more than in parts of the South or Midwest.

8. Permits and Regulations

The 2-story shipping container homes’ cost also depends on city/county zoning rules, building permits, and engineering or architectural plans are required for approval. Some areas have strict codes that may limit or forbid container homes.

9. Transportation and Crane Use

Moving containers to your site, especially for a 2-story build, may require flatbed truck rental and cranes to stack containers. If you are using those tools to transport to rural or hard-to-access areas, you will have higher transport and setup fees.

10. Off-Grid Features

Reducing the housing operational cost can be done by using solar panels, battery storage, rainwater systems, and composting toilets for your house. However, its upfront cost is high, but it may reduce utility bills over time.

Benefits of 2-Story Shipping Container Homes

Here are the key advantages of going two stories with container construction:

Vertical building means you can double your living space without doubling your land use. The 2-story homes are ideal for urban, suburban, or narrow lots. 

With a vertical landscape, it will leave more room for outdoor spaces like gardens, patios, or driveways.

2. Better Separation of Living Areas

With 2-story shipping container homes, you will have better separation of living areas. This enables clear zoning, like living downstairs, sleeping upstairs. 

Great for families or shared living as they offer more privacy and less noise transfer.

3. Improved Views & Natural Light

Upper floors allow for better views. This is especially important in scenic or coastal areas, as you can have more windows and balconies, improving daylight and ventilation.

4. Modern Architectural Appeal

Two-story designs offer more dynamic and eye-catching architecture. They provide the possibilities for cantilevered sections, rooftop decks, or split-level designs.

5. Structural Efficiency

Shipping containers are designed to be stacked, making 2-story builds very natural. They are also engineered to handle vertical loads, so stacking them is safe when done properly.

6. Cost Efficiency (Compared to Traditional Homes)

Building a house up instead of out can reduce foundation and roofing costs. A 2-story container home is still cheaper than traditional two-story homes when designed efficiently.

To reduce costs, you can use fewer materials for things like roofing and ground-level infrastructure.

7. Off-Grid & Sustainability Potential

The 2-story shipping container homes have off-grid and sustainability potential. They are easier to incorporate as you can add solar panels on the roof, rainwater harvesting systems, green roofs, or rooftop gardens.

With this, you will have a smaller environmental footprint with reused materials and efficient use of space.

8. Customizable & Expandable

When you are about to customize and expand the container, start with a basic layout and add more containers later. The 2-story concept allows you to expand vertically without buying more land. Moreover, the container’s modular nature makes it easier to renovate or reconfigure over time.

9. Enhanced Resale Value (In Some Markets)

Two-story homes often have higher market appeal and resale value. They are considered attractive by eco-conscious buyers, tiny home enthusiasts, or Airbnb investors.

10. Unique & Personal

2 story shipping container homes can stand out with a one-of-a-kind structure. They reflect a modern, minimalist, or industrial aesthetic popular with certain buyers or renters.

Conclusion

A 2-story shipping container home can be expensive, but it depends on how you build it, where, and what kind of features you include.

To build shipping container homes, buy used shipping containers from Tradecorp! With years of experience, Tradecorp is a reliable provider of sales, purchase, rental, and modification services.

We also offer you a wide range of house customization, like additional doors, windows, insulation, and electrical systems. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website 40ft Expandable Container House.