Alternative Living Space: Shipping Container Home

So you are planning a shipping container home, is shipping container home for you? Here are some myths and facts associated with shipping container homes.

The demand for an alternative living is becoming very popular and no one can ignore the rising popularity of building homes using recycled shipping containers. Some of the obvious benefits of using containers to build homes are saving money, saving time, and strong and durable home. However, building homes from containers pose many questions and concerns from the potential container-home builders.

You might be one of those who wants to build a shipping container home but confused about whether it is right for you or not. One of the questions that might be bothering you could be: how could I build my dream home within the seemingly-obvious limitations of using rectangular metal containers?

Here are some myths and facts that will clear the misconceptions about container-homes

Using containers as building materials also save money on weather-proofing and exterior cladding. When you are using containers, your per square cost will also substantially reduce. You can cut around $70 per square foot.

But there is a flip side. Building a shipping container home saves time and money might be a one-sided view. You can, of course, get a shipping container for $1500-$3500, however, you need at least three containers to make a proper home for your family of 4. Shipping the huge metal boxes to your location adds to your construction cost. A lot of cutting and welding is required, which also makes building costly.

Many people are attracted towards container homes because they consider it easy building, which happens to be one of the myths of shipping container homes. If you do not have any prior experience, you might need a contractor. Hiring a contractor to build your shipping home can cost as much as building a home from brick and cement. You might need a contractor to finish the building and another to do the interior.

Following regulations can also be a headache. Every state/country has its own sets of rules and standards, which means a container house in the US does not look like a container house in the UK. 

Even if you want to do it yourself, you need a professional drawing and structural engineering. You need to understand modular or container finishing. If you do not have any prior experience, you should seek help from professionals.

The general size of a shipping container is 20 by 8 feet or 40 by 8 feet. Therefore, many people believe that shipping container homes are tiny. If you want a shipping container home, the sky is the limit. You can develop houses of any sizes.

Since containers are steel boxes designed to stand harsh sea weather, container homes are strong and durable. They are considered 10 times stronger than the traditional homes in the times of earthquakes and hurricanes.

For a green and sustainable living, container homes are better solutions. According to a rough estimate, there are around 24 million unused shipping containers on earth. Generally, containers are retired after only 10 to 15 years use, however, they can last more than that, even for decades. Reusing these containers means you are saving resources.