Building container homes in Louisville, KY is currently trending among many people. It offers numerous benefits, particularly in the face of modern urban challenges since it is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional housing.
Building homes from containers is a modern urban concept that repurposes used shipping containers into livable spaces or functional structures.
These homes can be customized to meet specific needs and styles, often featuring modern aesthetics and efficient use of space.
Some advantages of container homes include their durability, quick construction times, and lower costs compared to traditional homes.
In doing so, you can reach for help from several companies and builders that specialize in designing and constructing container homes.
However, you have to be knowledgeable on how to build a container home and what steps need to be taken, to estimate the time and cost.
Read the following article to learn how to build container homes in Louisville, KY, and how to get the permit to build them!
Container Specification
Used shipping containers are an excellent choice for you if you want to build your own house as they can last more than 35 years and are earthquake and flood-resistant. It also has benefits that you need to know before you have it, such as:
Durable
Containers are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and heavy usage, then they are built with highly galvanized and painted structures. Therefore, shipping containers are earthquake-resistant grade 8 and wind grade 11.
Eco Friendly
In environmental sustainability, repurposing old containers can reduce waste and minimize the need for new materials, promoting a more sustainable construction approach.
Quick Assembly
The modular nature of containers also allows for faster construction and assembly. You can set up your containers within days, making them ideal for projects with tight timelines.
Flexible
If you are the type of person who likes changes, a prefab container will suit you well. You can change, move, connect, or stack your container in various configurations at any time.
Cost-Effective
Containers offer an economical solution for temporary and permanent structures, providing excellent value for money.
In terms of affordability, shipping containers are relatively inexpensive compared to traditional building materials, making them a more affordable option for housing and commercial spaces.
Permits Needed to Build Container Homes in Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY requires a few permits, approvals, and prerequisites to build container homes just as they would if you decided to build a traditional house. These are a few things to know about getting a permit for your container homes in Louisville, KY before you start building:
Building Permit
Building permits are one of the most important permits to obtain. It is needed if you are about to do one of the things below:
- Construction
- Enlargement
- Remodeling
- Removal
- Repaint
They can be issued to a contractor or a property owner. Moreover, authorities in Louisville also require submittal and drawings to explain the project to be included with your completed building permit application form.
Zoning
Based on city zoning laws, you may not be able to build a residential structure in an agricultural or commercial zone, and the zone that your property is in will dictate how large, small, or what kind of amenities your house can have.
Required Inspections
You can request an inspection on the City of Louisville’s website. The inspection is required by Louisville’s department to ensure that all applicable code requirements have been met and that the project has been constructed according to the approved plans.
Louisville’s authorities stated that the number of inspections varies according to each project but generally occurs at the foundation stage, the framing stage, and a final inspection of everything. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to notify the department when the work is ready for inspection.
Code Compliance
You’ll need to have a plan for code compliance from your contractor and professionals in the construction submittal before you start building:
- Foundations
- Openings for doors and windows
- Roofs
- Patios and decks
- Interior finishes and equipment
- Electrical and HVAC systems
- Insulation and energy code requirements
- Utility connections
- Snow and roof loads
- Interior live loads
- Lateral stability
- Energy code compliance
- Interior systems
Utility Easements
The Kentucky government defines an easement as the right to use the real property of another for a specific purpose.
Your property may contain utility easements which may prohibit the property from construction for utility purposes, so you’ll want to confirm the existence of any easements before you plan your shipping container house.
Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Requirements
Our local sewer district, MSD, has requirements regarding floodplains, sewer connections, storm drainage, & erosion control that may impact your ability or the risk of building a shipping container house on your property.
House Building Step
After you are convinced that a container house is the best option that fits your circumstances, below are the steps that are typically involved in building a shipping container house.
Buying shipping containers
The next step is buying shipping containers for sale that fit your needs and financial budget. Your floor plan determines the condition, type, and size of the metal units you purchase. You may want to consider the 40’ high cube (HC) units that offer more vertical space.
A 40 ft high cube container with external dimensions of 40’ long x 8’ wide x 9’6” gives you the extra head space of one foot. With the extra space, you can fit more items, using the additional one-foot head space for placing a heater or an air conditioner.
Preparing the land and placing the containers
After purchasing the containers, now you should place the containers on the ground foundation. You need to work with your architect or structural engineer to select the types of ground foundations.
Having selected the best type of ground foundation is a great step. Some of them are wooden or concrete foundations. For easy lifting and placing, use a crane of forklift to move the containers on your ground foundation.
Cutting container openings and welding the containers
Thanks to cutting-edge tools that enable the easy cutting of corrugated steel containers. To cut and create window and door openings, you can use some tools like a grinder, cutting torch, or plasma cutter.
After cutting the openings, the following step is welding your containers together so that you can create your desired layout for your container house.
Insulating the container
To control the temperature inside your container house and to create soundproofing, you need insulation. You can insulate your container interior with either spray foam or fiberglass batt or roll. The choice depends on your budget and your preference.
Installing electrical wiring and plumbing
To install electrical wiring for your container house, you can buy containers that have been fitted with electrical wiring. If the electrical wiring is available, you can install all the electricity by yourself, or hire a container modification expert.
Meanwhile, when it comes to plumbing, ask your structural engineer or contractor for the proper method for cutting the holes for plumbing installation.
Decorating
Now that you have fitted your container house with all the necessary amenities, such as electrical wiring and plumbing. It is time to proceed to the last step, which includes furnishing and decorating the container interior with drywall, flooring, fittings, and fixtures.
Conclusion
Building shipping container homes in Louisville, KY, can be a challenging but rewarding process. To ensure a successful outcome, it is important to carefully plan and execute each step.
If you want to build one and in need of a container, buy one at Tradecorp. You can find the right containers to be converted into a house from us. Fill out this quote form, our sales will contact you and answer all your inquiries.