Our Construction Methodology

American Container Homes are prefabricated, complete homes constructed in a factory setting to nest within themselves, fully encapsulated in a standard shipping container. Our housing units expand-out after shipment, with a high-quality appearance that is more durable than typical houses built on-site. The units may be configured as a single-family residence, a duplex, a two-section single-family residence or an apartment building. Each container can hold the entire building unit and garage if applicable. Our buildings employ both conventional steel frame construction and proprietary techniques to provide a solid, transportable home desired internationally. The building system also includes an available cradle to allow container offloading in remote areas.

The 65% prefabrication of the building system minimizes on-site exposure of building materials to wind, rain, snow, lightning, and temperature extremes. By building the home on the small tubular frame and welding/riveting floor joist to this frame, we do not have to ship the home as a kit. The overall height of the 1st floor is less than the container door height of 8'5" (2.56m) thus allowing substantial completion of the home prior to loading.

Once on-site, the unit is "unlocked" from the container, and then rolled out of the container using preformed guides and cable winches onto a pre-poured concrete foundation. An expandable section consisting of a hinged floor section and three exterior walls complete with wall coverings, insulation and electrical wiring, are configured using integral air cushions to avail correct position. Once the expanded section is fastened in place, the home floor frame is secured to the concrete foundation using drive in anchors of a type specified in the design plans. The floor is leveled using integral leveling bolts. Once level and secured the second story is assembled, roof framing and insulation are installed and finally the steel roof panels are put in place. The home is secure and weather tight at the end of one day's assembly.

Additionally, our homes use "green” building materials. Our Steel framing, roofing, tile flooring, fiber cement siding, gypsum wallboard, recycled insulation, and stone countertops are not only "Green, " but also "LEED Ready".

Moreover, off-site prefabrication allows round the clock construction if necessary. Builders work under optimal safety conditions with all necessary tools, jigs, and materials readily available. ACH trained crews construct each building, in less time, which results in significant cost savings. Also, once the container is on site, the building and all materials are secured in the container. Once the container is situated a five-man crew unloads the container and assembles and secures the home, including the second floor and the roof, within one day. Since the container is not part of the structure, any of the components not installed the first day, (e.g. the garage) can safely be secured inside the container.