As a professional China container house supplier, K-HOME is always committed to providing customers with clear and comprehensive product answers.
In the long-term market service, we found that many customers are confused about the difference between detachable containers and flat-pack containers. Although these two forms of prefabricated buildings are both modular container building solutions, they have their own characteristics in structural design, transportation methods, installation efficiency and applicable scenarios.
This article will deeply analyze the core differences between detachable container houses and flat-pack container houses, and compare them from multiple dimensions such as materials, construction process, cost-effectiveness, etc., to help you quickly find the prefabricated container building solution that best suits your needs.
Whether you are looking for a temporary mobile home or a long-term fixed building, understanding these key differences can help you make a more informed decision.
steel structure comparison
- Dimension：5950(L) x 3000(W) x 2800(H)mm
- Main frame: 2.5mm galvanized steel
- Components: Container house components are all produced independently, without integration.
- Downpipes: 4 pcs, Located inside the corner column
- Wall panel: Customizable, providing rock wool, polyethylene, polyurethane, PIR insulation core material options, Thickness selection: 50-100mm.
detachable house structure diagram
detachable containers – conner joint
detachable container – column
detachable containers – beams
detachable containers – purlins
- Dimension：5900(L) x 2430(W) x 2896(H)mm
- Main frame: 2.5mm galvanized steel
- Components: Roof structure and floor structure are produced in an integrated manner.
- Downpipes: 4 pcs, Located inside the corner column
- Wall panel: Customizable, providing rock wool, polyethylene, polyurethane, PIR insulation core material options. Thickness selection: 50-75mm.
flat pack container structure diagram
flat pack containers – conner joint
flat pack container – column
flat pack container – floor structure
flat pack container – roof structure
Shipping Capacity Comparison
In the container house transportation solution, the detachable house and flat pack house adopt completely different packing methods due to their unique structural characteristics.
The detachable container house can be disassembled into standardized components during transportation, which can make full use of the container space for efficient loading; while the flat pack container house can be compressed to 1/3 of its original height during transportation through a special folding design, greatly increasing the loading quantity of a single container.
- Package： All parts are shipped in bulk
- A 40-foot shipping container can carry 11 units
detachable container house shipping capacity
- Package: Each unit is packed and shipped as a whole
- A 40-foot shipping container can carry 8 units
flat pack container house shipping capacity
Installation Comparison
There is a difference in the installation efficiency between detachable houses and flat-pack houses.
Detachable container houses adopt a modular bolt connection design. All components can be assembled manually using ladders without relying on lifting equipment. This makes its installation process more flexible, especially suitable for projects with limited space or insufficient equipment. However, the overall installation speed is relatively slow because the bolts need to be tightened one by one.
In contrast, flat-pack container houses use factory-pre-integrated roof and floor modules, which greatly simplify the on-site installation steps and achieve faster construction speed. However, this efficient installation requires the use of forklifts or lifting equipment for lifting, so it is more suitable for sites with mechanized construction conditions.
Whether it is a quick-assembly detachable house that pursues installation convenience or a flat pack container that focuses on efficiency, K-HOME can provide professional prefabricated container building solutions to meet the construction needs of different customers.
- No need to rely on lifting equipment.
- All components are assembled with bolt connections, which makes installation slow.
- Need to rely on lifting equipment.
- Pre-integrated roof and floor modules simplify installation steps and make installation fast.
Customized option comparison
There is a certain difference in the degree of customization between the two types of prefabricated container houses. The following is a comparison of the customization aspects such as size, structure, and appearance.
- Steel Frame: Steel specifications can be customized.
- Size: Standard sizes available, other sizes can be customized.
- Color: The standard color is white; other colors can be customized.
- Wall Panel: The pattern and color of the wall panels can be customized, but there are quantity requirements.
- Power System: Can be planned according to actual needs.
- Additional Options: External cladding metal panels、furniture、Electrical appliances.
Detachable container – customized door & window & Furniture
Detachable container – customized size & wall panels & roof panels
Detachable container – customized color & External cladding panels
- Steel Frame: Steel specifications can be customized.
- Size: Standard sizes available, Other sizes cannot be customized.
- Color: The standard color is white; other colors can be customized.
- Wall Panel: The pattern and color of the wall panels can be customized, but there are quantity requirements.
- Power System: Can be planned according to actual needs.
- Additional Options: External cladding metal panels、furniture、Electrical appliances.
Flat pack container – customized External cladding panels & Furniture
Flat pack container – customized pIR wall panels & color
Flat pack container – customized External cladding panels & color
MOQ comparison
When purchasing container houses, the minimum order quantity will vary depending on the standard configuration or customized requirements. We recommend that you determine the purchase quantity based on the actual project scale, and make an overall plan based on the loading capacity of the shipping container. Standard models are usually flexible to match small and medium-sized batch orders, while highly customized solutions may require higher minimum production requirements.
To optimize transportation efficiency and control costs, our professional team can help you calculate the best packing solution – the number of house units that can be loaded in a standard 20-foot or 40-foot container directly affects the shipping cost. Bulk purchasing can not only reduce the cost per unit, but also dilute logistics expenses.
If you need to accurately calculate the total project budget, please contact K-HOME to obtain a personalized quotation and loading solution recommendation based on your specific quantity requirements.
- MOQ for standard configuration: 1 set
- MOQ for frame color: Black and gray: 1 set; other colors: 70 – 80 sets
- MOQ for wall panel thickness: 6 – 7 sets
- MOQ for wall panel color: Blue/Red/Dark Gray: 6 – 7 sets; other colors: 30 sets
- MOQ for standard configuration: 1 set
- MOQ for frame color: 1 set
- MOQ for wall panel thickness: 27 – 28 sets
- MOQ for wall panel color: 27 – 28 sets
Cost Comparison
Prefabricated container houses are a popular choice due to their affordability and flexibility. The price of a standard configuration (including one door, two windows and basic electrical facilities) is usually between $1,500 and $2,000, and there will be additional discounts for large bulk.
However, the actual cost is affected by many factors, such as steel frame thickness, customization requirements, additional features (such as insulation or bathroom facilities), and order quantity. If the project involves cross-border transportation, it is also necessary to include ocean freight in the budget. Due to route, fuel prices and seasonal fluctuations, ocean freight costs may fluctuate greatly, thus affecting overall expenses.
In order to accurately control the budget, it is recommended to clarify the project requirements in advance, compare the container house material specifications and bulk purchase discounts of different suppliers, and consult multiple logistics companies to lock in the most competitive ocean freight solutions. Reasonable planning of these variables can not only reduce costs but also ensure the efficient progress of the project.
At K-HOME, we offer container houses with different specifications and prices. Based on the feedback from our customers, we recommend you to use the best frame, which has higher standard durability and longer service life.
At K-HOME, we offer prefabricated container houses of various specifications to meet the needs of different customers. Based on the real feedback from many customers, we recommend to use the premium frame. This frame has higher standard durability and longer service life.
Our prefabricated containers are made of high-quality steel and advanced manufacturing processes, taking into account both strength and cost-effectiveness, and are ideal for projects such as temporary dormitories, construction sites, offices, and modular buildings. Whether it is short-term use or long-term deployment, K-HOME can provide you with the most reliable solutions, allowing you to get the best container house performance at a reasonable budget.
If you need customized needs or bulk purchases, please contact us for exclusive quotes. We will recommend the most cost-effective container house solution based on your project needs.
How to choose? Project Requirements Analysis and Solution Guide
When planning a container house project, it is crucial to choose the right type. It is necessary to comprehensively evaluate key factors such as construction period, budget, and functional requirements. As a professional prefabricated building supplier, K-HOME analyzes the applicable scenarios of different container houses for you to help you make the best decision.
- Standard requirements: cost-effectiveness first
If your project has no special requirements, it is recommended to choose standardized container houses, which are economical and fast to deliver, and can meet basic living or office needs. This type of solution usually adopts a mass production model, which can significantly reduce the cost of each unit and is an ideal choice for budget-sensitive projects. - Fast deployment: flat pack containers
For projects that need to be built very quickly, flat container houses are the best solution. With a folding design, the volume can be compressed to 1/3 of the unfolded state during transportation. After arriving at the site, it can be used by simply unfolding it, and the construction time is saved by more than 80% compared with traditional buildings. - High customization: detachable containers
If the project requires multi-faceted customization or special functional configuration, detachable container houses are the right solution. They can customize height and thickness, without considering the loading method, and can solve personalized needs. - Ultimate speed: foldable container houses
When construction speed becomes the core requirement, K-HOME’s foldable container house provides an industry-leading solution – it only takes a few hours from unloading to fully usable. It is particularly suitable for temporary projects with frequent relocations, or scenarios that require a quick response to emergency needs.
K-HOME’s professional advice | Matching needs and solutions
We recommend customers to choose according to the following dimensions:
- Time sensitivity: foldable containers > flat pack containers > detachable containers
- Customized needs: detachable containers > flat pack containers
K-HOME provides free project consulting services. Our engineers will recommend the best container house solution based on your specific needs (usage scenario, budget, construction period, etc.), and provide full-process technical support from design to installation.
prefabricated container house china manufacture | K-HOME modular building
As the most trusted prefabricated container building supplier in China, K-HOME always adheres to international quality standards and provides customers with high-quality services from design to delivery. We specialize in the production of various types of container houses, modular buildings and other prefabricated structures. All products pass a strict quality inspection system to ensure that each building meets the industry’s leading durability and safety standards.
We are well aware that the key to the success of prefabricated building projects lies not only in the product itself, but also in the full-cycle service experience. K-HOME has agents in many countries to ensure a quick response to customer needs. Whether it is a small temporary building or a large modular complex project, we can provide the most cost-effective customized solutions.
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