Got something to say, but it's not classic related? Here's the place to discuss. Also includes the once ever-so-popular word association thread... (although we've had to start from scratch with it - sorry!)
After watching a couple of episodes of "George Clarke's Amazing Spaces"
A question crossed my mind, how many of us on here use Shipping
containers for garages and workshops. And what adaptation have you
made to the container to suit your usage?
And if you had to build a house cheaply, would you consider using a few
to make it(You put your own roof on)
There was a man on Grand Designs Australia who used a pile of containers as inspiration for his house, though I wonder if he'd watched I Robot and wouldn't admit it.
There was a programme a while ago about someone who did it, it seemed an awful lot of work to get them habitable though. With more and more ending up in the UK and not being used again it's something that may be on the increase though! Damned noisy in a hailstorm!!
When I was helping a friend a few years ago he used one for his garage for his stock car, it seemed ok... Trouble may be for planning laws if its' in a residential area unless its modified in some way? His was on commercial premises so it was not out of place...
I'd imagine they'd be a bit like an old car to live in- cold, damp, noisy, and prone to corrosion...a static caravan would be chaeper and better. The amount of work neccesary to convert one of these tin cans to a decent habitable level would be phenomenal, and given that most of the cost of a house build is in thew land rather than the building work is why you don't see them used much I suppose. The ones in the pics seem to have had a sizeable amount of the metal removed- you might just as well use blockwork for the non glass bits.
1968 Triumph Vitesse Mk1 2 litre convertible, Junior Miss rusty has a 1989 998cc Mk2 Metro, Mrs Rusty has a modern common rail diesel thing.
mr rusty wrote:I'd imagine they'd be a bit like an old car to live in- cold, damp, noisy, and prone to corrosion...a static caravan would be chaeper and better. The amount of work neccesary to convert one of these tin cans to a decent habitable level would be phenomenal, and given that most of the cost of a house build is in thew land rather than the building work is why you don't see them used much I suppose. The ones in the pics seem to have had a sizeable amount of the metal removed- you might just as well use blockwork for the non glass bits.
Couldn't have put it better myself. I've enough trouble sorting out rust on vehicles, there's no way I'm going to start doing it on my dwelling or even my outbuildings. Buildings are generally made of wood or bricks & mortar for a good reason.
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
mr rusty wrote:I'd imagine they'd be a bit like an old car to live in- cold, damp, noisy, and prone to corrosion....
Agreed. Local Community Centre had a container for storage and the model railway group put a layout in there - condensation from the roof dripped down and ruined it
Bricks and mortar are more durable but the benefit of these sorts of things is that they are quick and relatively cheap. We have a pair of containers at the shop (They are bolted together, so can be carried into awkward places and erected on site). They are joined together and work very well (Being galvanised and powder coated green), though I wouldn't want to live in them. Lots of garages are wooden or metal; masonary is better but metal beats the open air (Just line it to stop condensation).
Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
I have a little project in the tropics for my retirement that will require a lot of building materials shipping over from the UK - mainly galvanized structural steel and roofing systems as I am coastal.
These will go in a 40 foot container which will be chucked in one corner of the lot, heavily painted and fitted with an air-con as my garage. I will see how it goes with condensation, but don't expect much. I may put an extra skin over the roof and paint it white like the old Land Rover safari tops.
Luckily I am not too burdened over there with planning issues and have an Architect who knows whose palms to cross with silver if there are any problems.
My dad recently bought two, but not shipping containers for they sweat like mad and are therefore damp. We got 2 lorry boxes (like the arctic trailers but not as long, 20ft) and so far they have been excellent.
2013 Dodge Durango R/T
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt.
1965 Ford Anglia 106e Estate (Wagon). LHD.
