As with a traditional home, shipping container homes can be fitted with windows to enhance natural lighting and ventilation. Finding the right windows can be a daunting task, but here is a comprehensive guide to help you determine which shipping container windows are suitable for your home.
While shipping containers can be stacked for additional floor space and can withstand winds of up to 100mph when anchored to a foundation, their structural strength is compromised when sections are cut out. This is likely to occur if you cut out doors, windows, and other entryways from shipping containers. This is why you should know how to reinforce your shipping container home.
Shipping containers are clearly very versatile, as they can be outfitted with whatever you need for your home at a much lower cost than a traditional home. This article will discuss some of the uses, materials, and types of shipping container windows that you can consider. Let’s get started.
Uses for Shipping Container Windows
Due to the hollow nature of shipping containers, installing windows allows more light to enter and reduces electricity consumption. Windows also improve ventilation, particularly during the warmer months. Adding even a few small windows can significantly improve the living conditions inside a shipping container.
Also, windows make the container appear more attractive and can increase curb appeal. Adding shipping container windows to your home can increase its value and provide a more comfortable living environment as a result.
You might consider using a shipping container for your business, such as a cafe or bar. Spacious shipping container windows can make it easier for your customers to reach out to you, encouraging them to stop by, hang out, and place orders in a convenient location. By making things more accessible for your customers, a shipping container with windows can help expand your business.
Materials Used for Shipping Container Windows
Considering each type of shipping container window material has its pros and cons, you will need to determine what’s most important to you. Before installing windows in your home, you should consider the available options.
Windows for shipping containers come in a variety of materials. Here are the most common ones:
- Plexiglass — Despite its lower cost, this type of acrylic plastic is ten times more impact-resistant than glass. This is also a popular window material because it is shatterproof, lightweight, and can be easily molded into different shapes.
- Fiberglass — This strong and durable material is often used for boat windows but has evolved into an ideal material for shipping containers to withstand harsher weather conditions. It is weather-resistant and can tolerate high temperatures.
- Insulated Glass — This type of window material is used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. By separating two or three glass panes using a spacer material and sealing them together at the edge, you can keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
- Tinted Glass — By blocking ultraviolet rays, this window material prevents damage to electronics, fabrics, and furnishings. Valuable items are protected from sun damage and discoloration by tinting your windows.
- Privacy Glass — Also called frosted or etched glass, this can be found in commercial and residential spaces as a means to provide privacy without sacrificing natural light. Often used on interior windows in bathrooms, this is also applied to exterior windows to provide privacy from the outside.
Types of Shipping Container Windows
Taking into consideration the aesthetics of your shipping container and the purpose it will serve, choosing the right shipping container windows is crucial to avoiding the inconvenience of having to restructure and reinforce your container.
Here are the most common types of shipping container windows:
Sliding Windows
This is the most common type of window in shipping containers, built into doors serving a double purpose. By using a sliding door-window hybrid, you can save space while still letting in natural light when the windows are closed. Sliding windows are a valuable addition to any container.
Windows with Blinds
Having windows with blinds allows you to control the amount of light that enters a room while giving your home a pleasant and comfortable ambiance. The blinds are attached to the window and can be opened and closed to allow light in or keep it out. This is a must-have for people who wish to remain private, block out unwanted light, and maintain a pleasing aesthetic.
Privacy Windows
Privacy windows let in more light into the container without allowing people outside to see through them. Usually located above eye level or just below the shipping container roof, these are ideal for the privacy of homes and commercial spaces. In addition, they are the most suitable choice if you want to avoid large windows.
Extra-Large Windows
In contrast to privacy windows, these are a great way to let in lots of natural light while improving your home’s curb appeal. You can make your home feel more spacious and welcoming by installing extra-large windows. Moreover, this is a very efficient way to welcome guests and customers.
Concession Windows
By opening the side of a larger portion of a shipping container, concession windows make it easier to hand or place items without having to open the door. These are the perfect choice for businesses since they operate similarly to food truck windows, where you can easily install rolling shutter doors and lock them after business hours.
Security Bar Windows
Window security bars, or grilles, are metal bars that are fixed to the window frame and prevent the window from being opened. Often used as a deterrent to crime, potential burglars will know that the property is protected and may not attempt to break in. You can ensure that your home and business are safe and secure by installing security bar windows.
Wrapping Up
Any shipping container structure can benefit from windows, whether it is for residential or commercial use, and they provide numerous benefits. As you consider windows, be sure to check out these impressive shipping container home doors.
We also have an FAQ page that includes all the information you may need regarding building your dream container home.