It’s been a while since I posted. That’s on purpose. There has been a good amount of setbacks, delays, and even disaster (for lack of a better way to describe it). All of that I will write about in a separate post. Now that we have mostly worked through the major challenges, I wanted to write about the progress, because we now know this project can be done the way it was intended.
Building material prices continue to soar and even standard windows or doors are about 30% higher than they were in the beginning. Fortunately I stocked up on some items and used the first / previously owned container to store them. That ended up being a double edged sword though as you can read about in the other post. But the delays in container placement did allow for the manufacturing of the windows to catch up and for me to do the window / door framing before the containers were placed. I used off the shelf patio doors for 3/4 of the container door openings but had custom windows made for the rest of the exterior openings. These aren’t your standard windows, as they are double paned, laminated, and extra thick insulated. They call them EcoXtreme. I got the container ends (with the doors, they’re called the back, apparently) framed out for the doors and windows. I used window flashing, but also decided that it wouldn’t hurt to use some waterproofing on the framing too. Most of these openings will have a decent overhang, so water infiltration isn’t a huge concern, but being on the water side, extra precautions aren’t a bad idea. Once again, I somehow managed to get windows and doors installed by myself. My experience in framing these openings from the previous project helped and hurt. But it’s done. The prefabricated openings in the metal (on the fronts of the containers) are also filled in. Most of this was done on somewhat level ground, at the top, before bringing the containers down the slope. So that when the containers are brought down, they have the major exterior items already installed. Many people asked about installing windows prior to moving the containers, but the windows are flexible enough, the framing is either entirely steel or is steel with wood attached to it. There were no issues with the windows and doors being framed in the ends of the containers and still moving or lifting them. If this was on the sides, where there more flex when moving them, that might have waited.
Speaking of the slope, that elevation change ended up being one of the biggest challenges. It will be one of the neatest features of the house, but getting the containers and building materials down there is no joke. I contracted a company to cut down the slope some, bring in some road base, and make more of a road. What seems like a good idea to make it all easier, ended up being a necessity. Looking back, there’s no way that we could have gotten the containers, especially the longest ones, down the elevation change without this path. My father was a big help when it came to taking down some trees that needed to go. I helped, but he was the man when it came to the chainsaw work. Fortunately the trees that came down were not good (rotted, crooked) and it makes for a better view as well as proper access. We have been and will be able to keep the trees nearest the house. We figured out how to maneuver the containers in between them to set them.
When it came to actually getting the containers down the slope, my research and “find” ended up being invaluable – no, required. I knew there were devices to put wheels onto container corners, but I had to search out to find some that could be used in a semi-all terrain scenario. I located some, even though they were really expensive, bought some truck tires and wheels from a salvage yard, and these ended up being the single most important tool in moving the containers down.
Now that all but one of the containers are down the slope, stacking them is entirely dependent on the weather. It has to be dry enough that the slope isn’t too slippery and the base pad is stable enough for the excavator, with the weight of the containers and the reach needed.
McGowen Container House (and more) 