The Australian housing crisis has ushered in the shipping container home revolution for good. More people are discovering the advantages of building a shipping container. They are easy to build, economic, and highly customizable. 40ft shipping container can be used to make an entire bachelor pad.
As with any other form of construction, there are challenges to the process. Taking care of a few things can help you realize your dream of a comfortable-yet-affordable abode. Here are 7 tips to know before building a shipping container home.
Look for inspiration
Entrepreneurs and homeowners the world over, have taken living to an altogether different level. Take, for instance, the Containers for Hope project in Costa Rica, where a shipping container home can be built for just $40,000. You can take your inspiration online from magazines and shipping container blogs. Get inspired but finally settle for a design that suits your exact needs. Shipping container homes provide ample opportunities for experimentation. For instance, you can even add elements like solar panels.
Ask to see the actual container
The container you are buying will be used as your house, so it makes sense to request to see the actual piece yourself. Even if you order brand new, freshly painted containers online, you may actually receive a beaten-up piece. Maybe you are looking for used containers and don’t mind a little rust or dents. Even then, make sure you understand the degree of reconditioning the containers require.
Choose your contractor wisely
It is not advisable to hire fly-by-night contractors. You would need someone who understands how building a shipping container home works. One good idea would be to look for a local builder or container home modification company. That way, it would be easier for you to consult them for anything, such as, whether to buy a 20ft or 40ft shipping container. You can also consider bringing in separate contractors for electricity and plumbing work. Another good idea would be to buy shipping containers separately yourself and save more.
Do not cut it too much
Shipping containers can be used to build a wide variety of homes, from modest dwellings to high-end commercial buildings. If your primary reason behind wanting to build a container home is saving money, avoid cutting the container too much. This will compromise the container’s structural integrity and may cost you more on account of doing additional reinforcement works.
Get the right kind of flooring
Shipping containers have hardwood flooring or bamboo flooring. After you buy shipping container and are finished with the external construction, choosing flooring is the next important step. Go for a variety that can be easily replaced. Carpet tiles are a popular choice for overlay, as are steel plates, laminated tiles and the like. Depending on your personal style and requirements, you can also get bamboo, linoleum or vinyl based flooring.
Use the right insulation
The most complaints about shipping container homes from around the world have to do with insulation-related problems. In conventional homes, one uses insulation panels, but in shipping container homes, it depends on the climate. The insulation should create a vapour barrier; and spray foam insulation is the usually favoured choice.
Be aware of your building regulations
Conduct proper research on the building laws of your locality. Regulations regarding the climate and installations are all different, and larger homes need council consent for larger homes. If you are considering building a home with an unconventional design, look for any such precedents in your area.
