Shipping Container Homes - What Are They?
Shipping container homes provide a cost-effective, sustainable housing alternative solution. Many factors make repurposed shipping containers a great option for a home. We've done a deep dive into what a shipping container home is, why shipping container homes are becoming more popular, and why a shipping container home could be the perfect housing solution for you.
What Is A Shipping Container Home?
Simply, shipping container homes are made out of actual steel shipping containers and are converted into living spaces. These are the same large metal shipping containers you see in shipping yards, on trains, and being hauled by semi-trucks.
Shipping container homes are becoming increasingly popular because they are affordable, easy to set up on properties, and durable. They come in a few different sizes, so you have some flexibility with the size of the home you want to construct and the living space you have once complete.
They're also easy to customize beyond a basic rectangular structure by stacking or arranging them into whatever shape aligns with your desired floor plan.
Since containers are often stacked on top of each other in shipping yards, their walls are very strong and can withstand high impacts and heavy loads. This is another desirable trait for those who live in locations with extreme elements or want to stack the containers to make a larger living space.
The History of Shipping Storage Container Homes
Shipping containers have been used since 1956 and were initially invented to help with international shipping overseas. Little did we know that there were so many uses for shipping containers!
The first official record of a shipping container home being built was in 1987, although that certainly wasn't the first time one was built.
Since then, many people have used shipping containers to build minimalistic houses, multi-container mansions, offices, garages, sheds, and other structures. In fact, there are now thousands of shipping container homes around the world.
A YouTube channel called Life Uncontained follows a couple who built their own container home from scratch. They document the entire process and share their successes and struggles so others can learn more about building container homes.
Why Do People Build Shipping Container Homes?
Shipping container homes are inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and easily transformed into beautiful, sustainable living spaces. The cost savings alone make container homes a no-brainer for those who are interested in alternative living spaces.
In recent years, shipping container homes have become increasingly popular because of their affordability and versatility. When properly built, a shipping container home should last 25 years or more with only minimal maintenance.
A shipping container house can be extremely energy efficient when insulated properly and paired with solar power. You will also be less likely to acquire any pests in a shipping container home since the exterior walls are steel with minimal penetrations.
Benefits of Building a Shipping Container Home
If you're considering purchasing a shipping container home, you probably already understand that they are durable, versatile, and affordable. You can even purchase recycled shipping containers or old shipping containers to repurpose into the home of your dreams.
Since shipping container homes are rectangular by default, building out the indite of the home is easier than that of a custom home. No odd angles or various-sized walls to accommodate, making it easier to measure space for amenities while creating your dream home.
Depending on the land, location, and property type, building a foundation for your shipping container home is easier than a traditional house foundation. You can also stack containers or align them in different arrangements to make your home larger. This is a great option for those who might like the idea of simplicity and sustainability but don't want to live in a tiny home.
Types Of Shipping Containers Used For Construction
There are several different types and sizes of shipping containers used for construction. The most common sizes are 20-foot and 40-foot long containers, both of which are 8 feet wide.
The standard height is 8.6 feet tall, and a "high cube" container is a full foot taller, standing at 9.6 feet tall. The high cube version is the most desirable for container homes.
There are manufacturers that convert shipping containers into homes for you, and all you have to do is have the home delivered, set on a foundation, and hooked up to your utilities.
Pros And Cons Of Shipping Container Homes
A shipping container home is an affordable option for those who need a new home quickly. It also provides a low-maintenance alternative to traditional housing options. However, there are some drawbacks to using a shipping container as a home.
Pros:
Container homes are durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, rain, hail, snow, and even heat or cold, when insulated properly.
A container home typically costs less than a traditionally built home and, when installed and built correctly, has a longer lifespan.
If you're concerned about any lack of creativity when building a container home, they can be designed to accommodate nearly any need. Check out these amazing container home designs, ranging from simple studio-style to 5-bedroom container homes with over 2,000 square feet of living space.
Cons:
The main concern with container homes is rust since they are made out of steel, but when sealed and maintained correctly, these homes have the ability to last well over 25 years.
Maintenance of your container home is simple, but you need to be consistent to ensure damage doesn't occur and then grow. A few tips for extending the life of your container home are:
Start with a strong foundation for the container home
Check all container seams for damage
Ensure any external modifications (such as windows, utility lines, and doors) are checked often for a solid seal
Paint the exterior and interior with rust-proof paint
Consider adding siding to your container home
Add a new roof to your container home
Obviously, since shipping containers are made of steel, they are heavy. You will need to hire a crane and operator to position your container or lift one on top of the other if you're building a multi-level home. With traditional housing, rooms and added levels are built one piece at a time, so you don't often need heavy equipment for the building process.
The good news is once the container is set into position, you already have an enclosed space to start your building process inside the container.
Solar for Shipping Container Homes
Adding solar panels to your container home is a great way to make your home even more sustainable and energy efficient.
Many people build their shipping container homes to be off-grid, and solar power is one of the components that make this achievable. Adding a solar array and battery bank to your container home will make it the ultimate sustainable home.
If you don't need to be off-grid, check with your local municipality to determine if you will qualify for any financial incentives for solar power. You could still save money and add to the value of your home if you add solar power and utilize net metering incentives.
Array solar modules complement shipping container homes beautifully. Depending on the roof style of your shipping container home, you may not even need to make any roof modifications upon installation.
Once you qualify your roof, you can reach out to someone on our team to start the process of adding solar to your shipping container home.
