A shipping container house is any dwelling made from a shipping container, but the resulting structures can be quite diverse. Shipping containers usually come in two sizes, either 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet. The smaller of the two equals about 160 square feet of living space, while the larger container gets you 320 square feet. There are also two height types, regular (8.5 feet high) or a high cube container that provides about a foot of extra vertical living space. Some shipping container homes stop here, using these compact spaces as standalone tiny homes or offices.

But many builders or owners combine containers to create larger homes, like this version in Missouri. In homes with multiple containers, walls are often removed to create more spacious interiors, and traditional construction methods add exterior materials and additional rooms.

Some containers are stacked in a row to create multi-level residences, while others can be twisted and turned Jenga-style to deliver striking architectural masterpieces.

Where do the shipping containers come from and how do you buy one?

If you buy an empty, brand-new shipping container, it will likely come from manufacturers in China; the Chinese company CIMC produces around 82 percent of the world’s steel shipping containers. Used shipping containers are a more eco- and budget-friendly option, but you need to carefully inspect their condition. Pay attention to the different certifications. Some are certified for being able to ship goods overseas, and more stringent certifications designate containers that are wind and water tight.

Some containers are identified as “one trip”—which is just like it sounds—which offer a good balance of value and decent condition. “As is” containers may have been used to transport dangerous chemicals or they may have rust, doors that don’t seal, or holes; these aren’t advised for home construction.

Used containers are available from either national dealers or local sellers. While national dealers have large inventories and can deliver to most any location, local sellers often have better prices but don’t offer delivery. Twenty-foot containers can be moved using a standard forklift and hauled on tow trucks, but 40-foot containers usually require a crane.

Finally, a new batch of companies are providing shipping container homes ready for purchase. These tiny homes range in style and price, but they offer a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants a shipping container home but doesn’t want to build it themselves.

Are shipping container houses more sustainable than traditional homes?

Advocates for shipping container homes applaud them for giving unwanted containers a new life. According to most estimates, there are millions of unused shipping containers in the world. It’s often cheaper to receive new shipping containers than it is to send them back to suppliers, which means that some containers are discarded after only one trip.

Reusing a safe shipping container is an excellent example of building with recycled materials, and shipping container homes can also encourage a smaller footprint and less usage of other building materials like wood and masonry. Owners who are open to alternative living spaces like container homes often incorporate other eco-friendly elements, such as solar panels, wind power, water recycling systems, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Still, some used containers are hardly eco-friendly—they may have held toxic chemicals or have been treated to prevent corrosion during transit, leading to high levels of chemical residue. Picking the right container is key.

Others argue that the energy required to make the steel boxes habitable erases the benefits of recycling. According to an ArchDaily report, the average container eventually produces nearly a thousand pounds of hazardous waste before it can be used as a structure.