Would you be interested in a home that was eco-friendly, customizable, and transportable? Could you live in a repurposed home, that could cost even less than a standard build but be just as comfortable? If so, then you could be one of the growing numbers of people who are buying a shipping container home.
If you are considering a storage container home, then there are a number of myths that should be debunked. below, we give 8 common myths about a shipping container home.
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They Are All Eco Friendly
Unfortunately, not all shipping containers can be considered eco-friendly. While all shipping containers use less natural resources, some of them do not fulfill enough criteria to be considered a positive impact on the environment.
To make sure you are being eco-friendly, purchase an old shipping container as opposed to a new one. A new container has to be made from valuable materials, and with one less shipping container to transport goods, one will have to made to go in its place. It goes against the concept of recycling.
Instead, find an old container in good condition. You can repurpose it, so it is not left to rot and decay.
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They Are Difficult to Build
Shipping container homes can be difficult to build if you have little experience and have a grand plan in mind. However, for a first-timer, the internet is filled with home-building tips for anyone making a home from shipping containers. If you stick to a simple plan and idea, then it can be unbelievably easy.
The more levels, rooms, and features you add will increase the complexity of the build. If you are inexperienced, then you may need to call in a professional for this. Bear this in mind when creating your overall budget for your home.
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They Are Temporary Builds
Just because shipping containers are mobile and not originally designed to be a tiny house, people assume they are temporary builds. This is very far from the truth. In fact, shipping containers are very durable.
Take a look at any news footage after a storm or hurricane. Very often, it is only the shipping containers left standing. They protect their contents when battered by huge ocean waves, so why would they not withstand seasonal weather conditions on dry land?
Make sure you have good quality materials and craftsmanship for your modification to the container. You should find that it then lasts for a long time.
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A Shipping Container Home Is Uncomfortable
Living in a solitary storage container without utilities and amenities would be extremely uncomfortable. However, this is not what sustainable building with containers is about. They can have heating, water, electricity, and furnishings just like any other homes would do.
If you require more space from a container home, then they can sit together in multiples. You can then add any interior designs and features, such as paint and floor coverings, as you would in a regular build.
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They Can Be Used as Underground Homes Immediately
Many people buy shipping containers to start home construction underground, either as extra storage or as a bunker. However, burying shipping containers as they are is not advisable. Though they are extremely strong, they will need extra support.
Shipping containers stack one on top of another, and so can take a lot of weight. However, the strength is in their four corners, not the surface area on the sides and roof. Should you bury a shipping container as it is without reinforcement, the sides or roof may rupture if too much weight is applied, with disastrous consequences.
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They Are Cheap
Think of a shipping container as a building block. Once you have that bare structure, you can move into it, but it is bare. It will not be comfortable without adding parts to it.
This is exactly the same as building any home. In fact, if you want your home construction to be the same as a standard house build, with the same functionality and comfort, then it may end up the same price as a brick and mortar home.
Add to this the cost of the land you will be putting it on. If you want to be in a desirable area, then your price could still be high. In fact, there are shipping container homes that actually run into the million-dollar brackets.
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They Are Too Hot to Live In
It is not a myth that storage containers can get extremely hot. When sealed, then placed in direct sunlight or left to stand in hot climates, opening the doors can result in a blast of hot air. This lingers inside because of the heat-conducting properties of the steel structure.
However, your container is no longer used as storage. It will not be permanently sealed for long periods, and it is unlikely you will have it placed in direct sunlight on a harbourside.
Once you start to add modifications to your container, you can regulate the temperature as you would any building. Roof coatings, heating, and air conditioning can all keep it temperate. You can then choose to place it somewhere that is not in constant direct sunlight.
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They Are Not Transportable
Once you build your structure and turn it into a home, it makes sense to think it is not transportable. However, storage containers’ houses remain transportable whatever you do to them. In fact, you can move them practically anywhere in their lifetime.
You may have to take out some features for transportation, and it may be that some modifications get damaged or do not travel in transit. However, your home can be picked up and placed wherever you like, whenever you like.
Modern Home Building
As modern home building searches for more ways to reuse materials and repurposes old structures, many new and inventive ways to live, such as the shipping container home, are on the rise. If you enjoyed this article and want to know more, then check out our other blog articles on technology and the environment.
