Many consider building a conex box house rather than a concrete one for its affordability, durability, and flexibility.
A conex box house or shipping container house is a very good choice, depending on your needs, budget, location, and preferences.
The variety of designs is something that appeals to many people. It can range from simple to very modern, depending on the needs and preferences of the occupants.
However, what makes Conex box houses affordable, durable, and flexible? What are they made of? Find out in this article!
What are Conex Box Houses Made of?
What are the conex box houses made of? They are made from shipping container units that have been modified into decent housing.
They generally have a corten steel structure or corrosion-resistant steel, which has high resistance to corrosion and extreme weather.
In addition to the main structure of corten steel, Conex box houses also have various additional materials to increase their comfort and functionality. They are:
- Insulation & Interior Walls
- Polyurethane foam
- Rockwool
- Glasswool
- Sandwich panels
- Floors
- Plywood
- Vinyl
- Ceramics
- Epoxy
- Windows & Doors
- Aluminum
- PVC
- Tempered glass
- Additional Roof (Optional)
- Light steel
- Solar panels
- Canopy or overhang
What Else Is Added to Make It Livable?
Framing (Interior)
You need to add steel studs or wood framing inside to hold insulation, support drywall, and support wall panels. In addition, the framing can also create rooms, ceilings, and doorways.
Interior Walls
The interior walls of a Conex box house are critical for comfort, insulation, and aesthetics. While the Conex box itself is made of steel, the interior wall system transforms the industrial shell into a livable home.
Interior walls typically come from drywall, plywood, metal, or cement boards (for high-moisture areas). After that, you can finish it with paint, tile, or laminate.
Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC
Ask the professional to route the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems through framed walls and floors. This includes:
- Electrical wiring, panels, and outlets
- Plumbing pipes for water and sewage
- HVAC systems (mini-splits or ductless units are common)
Exterior Finishes (Optional)
To improve appearance, insulation, or weather protection, you can add wood siding, fiber cement board, stucco, metal cladding, paint, or weatherproof coatings.
Conex Box House Sizes
To cater to anyone who needs the best housing solutions, these accommodation Conex buildings are also available in various standard sizes based on the dimensions of the box.
You can make your Conex box houses from one unit or combine several boxes, creating a more spacious and functional space.
Generally, the most commonly used sizes are:
- 20’: 20’ (length) x 8’ (width) x 8.6’ (height)
- 40’: 40’ (length) x 8’ (width) x 8.6’ (height)
- 20’ High Cube (HC): 20’ (length) x 8’ (width) x 9.6’ (height)
- 40’ High Cube (HC): 20’ (length) x 8’ (width) x 9.6’ (height)
Advantages of Living in a Conex Box House
After understanding what materials to make Conex box houses, Conex buildings are increasingly popular as an alternative residence because they have various advantages compared to conventional construction.
Here are some of the advantages of Conex box houses:
Fast Construction Process
You can build your Conex box houses in a much shorter time than conventional houses, which is in weeks instead of months. It will reduce labor and framing time thanks to the pre-existing steel structure.
More Economic Costs
Compared to building houses from concrete or wood, Conex box houses have lower costs. It can be finished to match your budget, tiny home, or luxury style.
Moreover, steel structure is low-maintenance and weather-resistant. You just need to paint or coat the exterior for extra protection, no worries about termites or wood rot.
Flexible and Easy to Move
Conex box houses are perfect for those of you who often move. You can move them using a truck or heavy equipment, making it possible to reuse them in a new location without having to rebuild.
Durable and Sturdy
Conex boxes are made of high-quality steel. Therefore, they can withstand extreme weather, earthquakes, and impacts during transportation.
This makes Conex box houses more durable than conventional houses, which are susceptible to moisture and termites.
Modular and Customizable Design
You can easily modify and combine your Conex box houses with several other units to create a larger space.
They have a modern and customizable design to create unique layouts and multi-story homes. The general design has a sleek and modern aesthetic that appeals to fans of minimalist and industrial design.
Just start with a small 20’ or 40’ unit and add more Conex boxes as your needs grow. Do not worry, you can also stack Conex boxes vertically and connect them side-by-side to reconfigure creative layouts.
Suitable for Various Needs
In addition to being used as private residences, you can also use them for villas, guest houses, accommodation in tourist locations, or even emergency housing in disaster areas.
Eco-Friendly
Repurposing used conex boxes or recycling steel that would otherwise go unused will result in a smaller environmental footprint.
To make it more eco-friendly, you can integrate your Conex box houses with solar power, rainwater collection, and green roofs for off-grid living.
Great for Rural, Off-Grid, or Small Lots
The conex box houses are perfect for landowners in rural areas. They have a smaller footprint that allows for flexible placement on challenging terrain.
You can design the Conex box houses for off-grid living with solar panels and composting toilets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Conex box house primarily has a container steel structure or corten steel, but it includes many other structural and interior materials.
Therefore, if you would like to buy a Conex box for your house, buy it from a trusted provider such as Tradecorp. Tradecorp is a reliable Conex box sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp provides modification and custom Conex box services to residences by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your Conex box to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!