Shipping containers are horrible for that. They're metal so they rust and people that convert them tend to get older ones in bad shape. They don't breathe so you have to worry about ventilation and sealing the metal before even building otherwise they start to rust even quicker.

Theres basically no cost savings to using one compared to building the exact same space using stick-frame construction. Theres a reason why stick-frame is the reigning champion for affordable homes after millennia of evolution. It's really the best way (in the North American climate) to build a cheap house. Things like how comfortable, energy efficient, safe are all matters of addressing the local climate and there are solutions to all those issues.

Cold climates get more insulation and the plumbing is ran in interior walls to protect against freezing, the foundation goes down below the frost line.
Stick frame is infinitely customizable and even micro homes can be made (usually its an issue of the locality prohibiting such small housing.)
Live in tornado alley? We can add a tornado shelter under your garage floor if you don't want to build a full basement. Living in Florida where you can't dig a basement cause the water table is so high but you want protection from hurricane winds? Well we can build with hurricane screws which hold everything together better and even add metal storm shutters to windows.

[–] historicaldocuments@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

About how much overall cost does hurricane proofing a house add to buliding it? Would the same techniques for hurricane proofing work in tornado zones (barring a direct hit)?

[–] cardboardboxfort@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Not really sure. Some stuff like the hurricane screws is something typically only for new builds. Stuff like storm shutters are fairly common add-ons in Florida. All these tweaks are added costs, adding extra insulation in colder climates adds costs too but the point is that modern construction techniques have evolved to address pretty much every scenario you can think of. Thats why things like shipping container houses are stupid.

[–] historicaldocuments@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

I was thinking in terms of new builds. I learned about Intermittant Bracing and circumstances allowing I'll build my next house if at all possible.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

No, tornadoes are localized decimation, hurricanes are much larger but do less targeted damage. I've seen houses survive hurricanes, many do. If your house took a direct hit from a tornado without need for massive repairs you consider that your miracle.

Edit: apparently there are light damage tornadoes. The Enhanced Fujita Scale is used to describe tornado intensity in destruction. Ultimately though the point remains, that tornadoes are a lot more likely to do more direct wind damage to whatever they hit

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

the problem from hurricanes is mostly flooding, where most of the damage comes from.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Yeah, they can rip your siding or roof off if your house hasn't been designed for them (and if you live where they usually hit your house should be), and major hurricanes can beat that hurricane proofing. I've seen the dry remnants of a hurricane do some pretty nasty damage like that. But yeah it's mostly flooding that's the problem where hurricanes tend to be.

Tornadoes on the other hand, are a lot less likely to hit any building in its path, don't flood (meaning underground shelters are safer), and when they hit your home are a lot more likely to look like a bomb went off