Residential buildings
from shipping
containers

How do MagaHomes connect the containers together? Is there running water for them on-site?

The containers are bolted together via the corners, hence upper and lower corner). The advantage of connecting the containers in this way are the totally invisible assembly elements. A very important factor here is connecting the roof section of the containers. In MagaHomes houses, the roofs do not get stuck at the connection point, due to the use of a special roofing membrane. After insulation of the connection point and insulating the whole roof surface with polyurethane foam, we stretch the aforementioned membrane onto the roof and then we mount it with the aid of screws to the upper parts of the bolted container’s edges. The fixing screws are remain hidden under special masking, which also functions as a gutter.

Such solutions not only safeguard against water (in the form of rain and snow) but also allow easy disassembly (and reassembly) of the roof when moving the container.

What insulation was used in the MagaHomes houses?

Do MagaHomes container houses require foundations?

We propose two methods of laying down the foundations of MagaHomes houses.

Method 1

Level the surface area to one level (levelling the ground) on which the house is to be situated, and then stabilise the ground with a compactor. For the next step, it is best to lay concrete slabs on the support points. This solution is best for people or companies that often change the location of the house. It doesn’t require devoting more time and incurring high financial costs.

Method 2

Pour reinforced concrete (to the frost line) at the support points. This method eliminates the action of the ground (e.g., through the ground being raised by frost) on the normal foundations of the container house.

How do you repair damage to the anti-corrosion coating on the container frame or in places where corrosion has occurred?

Clean the corroded area mechanically with a brush, and then repaint the area. MagaHomes recommends anti-corrosion restoring paint, designed for painting containers, called Metal Unicoat (this paint does not require a primer undercoat). The surface area may be painted by using a brush or roller.

Is it possible to move/transport MagaHomes houses and if so, how is this done?

The container is equipped with appropriate handles to facilitate fixing, handling, and reloading. Transport of containers on the roads is carried out with lorries, usually consisting of two parts – a tractor unit and a container trailer. A trailer of this type is a special steel frame structure equipped with special plugs for fixing containers. The 40-foot HC shipping container – adapted to be a residential unit – weighs 7 tonnes. Its loading onto the lorry takes place by suspending it under the lower, corner cubes, using a crane.

IMPORTANT: When loading a container, pay special attention to the crane’s lifting capacity (a minimum of 7 tonnes).

A forklift truck can be used to move the container on the ground (the container is equipped with specially adapted pockets located in the lower part of the frame).

What are the standard dimensions of the containers used in the construction of MagaHomes houses? Are the dimensions of containers subject to certain standards?

External dimensions of the 40-foot High Cube shipping container: length: 12.2 m; width: 2.4 m; height: 2.9 m

Internal dimensions of the 40-foot High Cube shipping container: length: 12.032 m; width: 2.35 m; height: 2.7m.

There are many different types of container. All, however, are subject to universal standards defining their dimensions, construction, strength and durability, maximum gross weight, and identification.

Is it possible to order a MagaHomes house for an individual order?

Currently MagaHomes offers 4 ready-made, spatial solutions. Each of them is a comfortable, modern, safe, and aesthetic all-year-round or seasonal container house. You are welcome to look at our offers!

How much does transporting the container cost, together with the preparation of the ground?

It is clearly a difficult task to determine how much the total cost of transporting containers will be. The assessment of transport and ground preparation costs is always done on an individual basis and depends on many factors, e.g., the location of the investment and the cost of renting a lorry and crane from the local service provider.

Is additional heating of the container recommended during winter?

It is not necessary. High-performance, polyurethane thermal insulation used in MagaHomes houses protects it against heat loss. It is an economical and ecological solution. It is worth mentioning that a similar situation occurs in the case of high temperatures. Polyurethane insulations ensure not only warmth during the cold winter days, but also a pleasant cool temperature during the hot summer.

How is water and other media connected to the container?

All MagaHomes houses have an individual water connection, a sewage outlet and an external electricity supply. This makes it easy to disconnect the media and transport the container to another location. External connections are protected against freezing by appropriate thermal insulation.

Are the containers earthed? Is a lightning rod or other protection against lightning required?

Earthing is absolutely required. If it is not available, the earth leakage circuit breaker will not work. A lightning rod is required for smaller buildings, but only if the lightning threat indicator exceeds 0.0001. When the indicator is lower, a lightning rod is not required.

Is it possible to put facades on the container?

Adding a facade to the containers is very possible. The appearance of a MagaHomes house can be changed without any obstacles. The finishing options are endless: wooden planks, slate, fibre-cement tiles, and other materials. The houses are solid, which from the outside look very good in a raw state. Their facade can also be designed according to your own tastes and individual needs.

How do you repair damage to the anti-corrosion coating on the container frame or in places where corrosion has occurred?

One should clean the corroded area mechanically with a brush, and then repaint the area. MagaHomes recommends anti-corrosion restoring paint, designed for painting containers, called Metal Unicoat (this paint does not require a primer undercoat). The surface area may be painted by using a brush or roller.

How is water and other media connected to the container?

All MagaHomes houses have an individual water connection, a sewage outlet and an external electricity supply. This makes it easy to disconnect the media and transport the container to another location. External connections are protected against freezing by appropriate thermal insulation. The photos below illustrate our solution.