Building your own shipping container home is a great way to provide cheap and efficient housing. With a little insulation, ventilation, and planning you can turn these metal storage containers into comfortable homes. Here in Texas we have hot summers where the ground could be concrete or sink down to your axel in sand. Not to mention the ever changing permit madness for those who are new. It’s important to pay attention to the details before you jump in and DIY. Save yourself money and a major headache by doing it right the first time.
At Steel Box Shipping Containers, we offer modified containers. That means you have the option to purchase a shell-only container to DIY at your leisure, or to take advantage of our pre-cut, modified container. We cut and frame all openings, reinforce all welds, and provide structural certification.
Planning And Preparation
Legal Considerations
Before you start your container home adventure, it’s a good idea to legally scope out your playing field. Look into zoning laws and building codes. This research will be location specific, even right here in Texas.
Austin has different ADU & Tiny House codes which DO apply to container homes when placed on residential lots. Important things to know:
- ADUs less than 1,100 sq ft may be eligible for expedited permitting in most Austin zoning districts.
- Permanent container homes being used as a primary residence will most likely need a building permit & must meet IRC guidelines.
- Minimum setback requirements change based on zoning district, consult Austin DSD before buying land &/or container.
- Container homes located outside city of Austin (Travis county) must follow county regulations. (Williamson county, Hays county etc.) Some counties have less restrictive rules but will still require a permit if the structure is permanent.
- Always check with your AHJ, it doesn’t hurt to talk to a local contractor or permit expediter as well.
Have a HOA where you live? If so, be sure to check their CC&Rs. They may have additional standards about exterior materials, rooflines or siting that could affect your build.
Container Selection
Selecting the proper container size for your build is key. Containers come in various lengths, typically 20-ft and 40-ft. There are also “high cube” containers that offer an extra foot in ceiling height (9’ 6” vs. 8’ 6”). High cube containers are recommended for all home builds.
Ideally you want to find containers that don’t have major structural damage and as little rust as possible. “One trip” containers are those that have only been used once. “Cargo-worthy” or “wind and water-tight” containers are a more affordable starting point. Containers Plus carries both new and used containers and we offer inspection prior to purchase.
Design And Layout
Functionality starts with design. Plan possible layouts early so you know what you’ll have to work with spatially for rooms/windows/etc. Create flow and maximize natural lighting and ventilation with your design. Remember that any time you cut into the container to add windows or doorways, you’ll need to add additional support to compensate for the lost structure.
Bonus tip for Texans: Orient your container home accordingly to save on cooling costs. South- and west-facing walls take the brunt of the sun’s heat load. If possible, position your home to minimize exposed square footage on those sides of the property. Similarly, placing windows on opposing sides of the home creates cross-ventilation, which can also lower cooling expenses seasonally.
Create A Budget
Budgeting is essential to a successful build. When you write everything out you’re less likely to encounter surprises that can send your container home over budget. Make sure you account for the container itself, the cost of any modifications, foundation work, insulation, utilities, interior finishes, and landscaping. Add another 15–20% on top of your grand total for miscellaneous expenses. (things happen, permits get delayed, it rains, material costs change etc.)
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect to pay. (ALL of these are actual prices)
| Item | DIY / Shell Only | Steel Box Modified |
| Used 20-ft container | $2,500–$4,000 | $2,500–$4,000 |
| Pre-cut doors & windows | DIY labor + equipment | Included, pro-welded |
| Structural reinforcement | Variable / uncertain | Certified, documented |
| Insulation (spray foam) | $2,000–$5,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Reflective roof coating | $500–$1,500 | $500–$1,500 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $3,000–$8,000 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Electrical rough-in | $2,500–$6,000 | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Mini-split HVAC | $1,500–$4,000 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Interior finishing | $5,000–$15,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Estimated Total Range | $20,000–$50,000+ | $20,000–$50,000+ |
Foundation cost, permitting, site prep and miscellaneous expenses were left off the above list. There can be huge variances from region to region. Always get multiple contractor bids.
Buy Shipping Container
Purchasing Your Container
Obtain several quotes when looking for a dealer. Insist on seeing the container(s) you are interested in buying in person. Know the condition of the container you intend to buy. Ask to see certification of structural integrity and ensure that the dealer can deliver the container to your property.
Here at Steel Box Shipping Containers, we offer containers with a certified condition report, help facilitate delivery anywhere in Texas, and can acquire both standard height and high-cube containers to fit your needs.
Container Modification And Structural Work
Site Preparation & Texas Foundations
You need to have a flat, firm foundation upon which to sit your shipping container. Here in Central Texas that means some additional prep work: our expansive clay soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry. As it moves, it can heave or crack a building that isn’t properly supported
Make sure there will be good drainage. Standing water under the box will cause rust to occur much quicker. It can also cause foundations to shift if soil becomes oversaturated. Slope your ground away from your building site and set up sewage, water, and electrical connections prior to having your container delivered.
Foundation Advice from Texas Builders
- Concrete slab with rebar or post-tensioning: Typically the most solid foundation for our Central Texas clay soils if you have good subgrade preparation and slab reinforcement to counteract soil pressures.
- Concrete piers (drilled): Used to bore down through active zone (generally 10–15 ft down in the Austin area) to stable ground below. Ideal for sloped sites.
- Chassis/beam foundation: Container is supported by steel beams that are anchored to piers at the corners and mid-span of the beams. Common for containers on rocky sites throughout Hill Country.
Cutting, Welding & Our Modification Services
Alterations to a shipping container must be done with care. Cutting window and door openings will be done using a plasma cutter or an angle grinder. You can’t just cut large pieces of steel out without adding support in place of the structural integrity the steel provided. Containers do not get their strength from the walls of the container, but from the corner posts and top rails.
Instead of having to lease equipment yourself and take the time to figure things out as you go, Steel Box Shipping Containers has pre-cut containers with professionally framed and reinforced door/window openings.
When you buy a modified container from our store, you get:
- Professionally cut doors/windows using industrial tools resulting in clean cuts.
- Steel header reinforcements welded to every window and door opening.
- Commercial quality welds that are up to code
- Reports available for inspections or permits
This ensures that you won’t weaken the structural integrity of the container and you won’t have to procure welding tools or find another fabricator.
Insulation
Insulation is key in Texas, you do not want metal conducting heat into your home. Without insulation, a container can reach oven-worthy temperatures in the summer. The best part: if you choose the proper insulation method your container home can be incredibly comfy AND energy efficient.
- Spray foam (closed-cell): Best overall option for Texas. Creates an air-tight seal, serves as a vapor barrier (important for high humidity in Central Texas summers) and has a high R-value per inch. Use on walls, roof, and floor.
- Rigid foam board: Inexpensive and easy to install; commonly used against interior walls with a layer of thermal break to prevent condensation.
- Mineral wool (rock wool): Sustainable material with high thermal and acoustic ratings. Fire-resistant and manufactured from recycled content. Choose this if you’re trying to keep things as green as possible.
- Low VOC options: If indoor air quality is important to you specify low VOC spray foam options or natural fiber insulation to minimize off-gassing.
Insulate the roof, walls and floor. Don’t forget the floor! Yes, even in Texas the heat from the ground can bake you in the summer.
Roofing: Heat Management in Texas
High-Reflectivity (“cool roof”) coating: White or light gray elastomeric or silicone-based roof coating reflects solar rays instead of absorbing them. This can reduce your roof temperature by 50°F+ on a summer afternoon.
- High-Reflectivity (“cool roof”) coating: White or light gray elastomeric or silicone-based roof coating reflects solar rays instead of absorbing them. This can reduce your roof temperature by 50°F+ on a summer afternoon.
- Raised roof over-structure: Building a wood or steel roof frame over your container (gable roof or shed roof) creates air space which greatly reduces thermal transfer. This adds raintightness too, which is nice for Texas spring storms.
- Roof overhang: Extending the roof past the walls on the south and west sides creates shade to protect these walls. In Austin especially this can provide great relief from afternoon sun.
- Gutters & downspouts: Gutters aren’t just for cute house kittens. When Texas dumps a bunch of rain on you, you’ll want good gutters draining to downspouts away from your building.
- Solar panels: The roof of a shipping container is an ideal surface for solar panel installation. Coupling a solar array with a bank of batteries is a practical option for remote Texas locations.
Utilities And Interior Finishing
Plumbing
Plumbing should be designed smartly to minimize the runs of water lines within the container. Try to keep all your wet areas ( bathrooms, kitchen ) located on one end of the container to minimize pipe runs. We suggest using PEX piping, it works great in confined areas and stands up to Texas temperature extremes (both summer and winter).
You’ll also want to Insulate all of your pipes, especially those that run through the floor. While we rarely do get hard freezes in Central Texas, it does happen sometimes and your pipes don’t need to be victims. Your water supply can easily come from city utilities if you’re building in an Austin area subdivision. If you’re building out in the country you’ll most likely need a well and pump. As far as drain waste goes, you can tie into public sewer if available. Otherwise, a septic tank will need to be installed. Septic systems are very common in the Hill Country and outer suburbs.
Electrical
Plan your electrical outlet and light fixture locations ahead of time. It’s hard to run electrical once your container is finished. Run wire in metal conduit to protect it. Size your breaker box to accommodate growth (you’ll likely want to add an EV charger or shop welder circuit at some point).
If you’re going off-grid or “green” solar panels combined with either a grid-tie or off-grid inverter system are ideal on shipping containers. Solar has great returns on investment in Texas due to ample sunshine, and battery storage can keep you powered if the grid goes down like we saw during the Texas winter storm events.
HVAC: Designed for Texas Summers
The footprint of a container home leaves little room for an average central HVAC system; they are just too bulky and inefficient. We recommend a mini-split (ductless) system for Texas container homes.
HVAC Recommendation for Texas Container Homes
- Mini-split (ductless) system: They are small, efficient and provide both cooling and heating. You can get by with a 1.5–2-ton unit for a single 20–40 ft container placed high on an interior wall.
- Be mindful when sizing: Containers hold their temperature well once they’re properly insulated. An oversized unit will cause humidity issues.
- Consider installing ERV or HRV vents to provide outside air: Because of how tightly built and insulated these homes are you’ll want some way to provide fresh air to the living space without losing all of your conditioned air. ERV and HRV systems allow you to do this.
- Install a programmable thermostat: Set it on a pre-cool schedule so that your container is cool when you need it to be during the afternoon peak. Smart thermostats that allow you to control temp from your phone are also a great investment!
Interior Finishing
Finishing the inside of your container will make the difference between a box and a home. Drywall or wood paneling over foam insulation will make your walls feel finished. LVP or luxury vinyl plank flooring, as well as stained concrete floors, are durable and resistant to the extremes of Texas humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Choosing interior designs that take advantage of what container homes offer is where they really excel. Open floor plans, ceiling height (if you’ve chosen a high cube), and industrial yet modern design aesthetics. Hidden storage and multi-use furniture allow you to get the most out of your space.
If you want to keep your interior finishes green you can ask for low-VOC paint, flooring with high recycled content, and cabinetry that doesn’t off-gas formaldehyde. This will increase the air quality in your container and draw attention to the sustainable qualities that likely attracted you to container homes.
Exterior Finishing And Landscaping
Exterior Cladding
Add exterior cladding. Whether it’s metal panels (modern and sleek), wood siding (warm and natural) or fiber cement boards (strong and virtually maintenance free), choose something that is resistant to Texas humidity and pests. Install insulation underneath cladding to improve thermal performance and help keep the heat island effect at bay near your home.
Windows And Doors
Windows and doors provide ventilation, natural light and security, among other functions. In Texas, select double- or triple-glazed windows with low-E coatings to reduce solar heat gain. Windows with a northern exposure allow more light with less heat load than south or west-facing windows.
Sliding glass doors also allow you to easily connect indoor/outdoor living areas, perfect for mild Texas spring and fall weather. Caulk around windows and doors tightly; infiltration is a leading cause of energy loss in tightly built homes.
Landscaping
Purposeful landscaping around your container home brings your living space outdoors and minimizes your ecological footprint. Native plants that are drought tolerant are ideal for Central Texas. Live oak, Texas sage, lantana and ornamental grasses will look beautiful around your home with minimal watering after they are established. Choosing these plants will allow you to cut down on irrigation and complement your Texas surroundings.
Gravel walks, decomposed granite and patios made of stone are all easily maintained options that will withstand the Texas elements. Building a covered outdoor patio or pergola on the west side of your home will eliminate afternoon sun while giving you usable outdoor living space for over half the year.
Green Building with a Container Home in Texas
Container homes are attractive to many because they can be sustainable – after all, you’re using a recycled industrial shell instead of new materials to build. Here are some tips for increasing that green factor:
- Use a high-reflectivity (aka “cool roof”) paint to help lower urban heat island effect and decrease energy used for cooling.
- Specify mineral wool (aka rock wool) insulation, made from recycled slag and basalt rock. It’s non-toxic and has no off-gassing issues.
- There are low-VOC versions of spray foam insulation offered by the major manufacturers. Just make sure your contractor specifies this when getting bids.
- Solar panels + battery storage: The roof of a container is large and enjoys unrestricted solar exposure. Bonus points if you’re in Texas: our net metering laws allow you to sell power back to the grid if you’ve got a grid-tied system.
- Rainwater collection: Texas is one of the only states that not only allows you to collect rainwater, but encourages it. Use it for irrigation or, with proper filtration, for drinking water.
- Look for recycled-content flooring and cabinetry. Many manufacturers offer options with high recycled content without sacrificing quality.
- Use LED lighting throughout the house. This, coupled with solar, can cut your electrical usage significantly.
Your Texas Container Home Starts Here
Building a shipping container home is highly gratifying, but it pays to plan ahead. In Texas, that includes foundations and insulation for temperature control, permitting, and dealing with extreme weather, whether that’s the swelling clay in Central Texas or hot summers in the Valley.
Working with professionals and starting with a container that has been correctly modified reduces your risk, saves you time, and gives you documented certifications that make your permitting process go smoothly.
Ready to start? Steel Box Shipping Containers has quality new and used containers along with modification services and Texas expertise that will help you build your dream home. Give us a call today to talk about your project.
