Container Homes for Cold Climates: Winter Living Guide

Container homes work in cold climates but you need the right insulation package. A bare steel container at -20 degrees is uninhabitable. Heat escapes through the walls in minutes. The fix: upgraded insulation. R-20 minimum in walls. R-38 in the ceiling. Closed cell spray foam is the best choice for cold climates. It seals air leaks and provides the highest R value per inch. Our cold climate package includes double wall construction with a thermal break. That prevents condensation between the steel and the interior. The steel stays cold on the outside but the interior stays warm. Triple glazed windows are a must for extreme cold. Standard double pane windows lose too much heat. The foundation needs to be below frost line. In northern states that is 4 to 6 feet deep. A monolithic slab with insulated edges works. A heated crawl space also works. The mini split heat pump handles most cold climates down to about -15 degrees. Below that you need a backup heat source. Propane or wood stove. Our customers in Minnesota and Ontario have been living in their units through winters with no issues. Email info@atvworldwide.com for the cold climate package specs.