After travelling across the seas for years, a few of the estimated 17 million shipping containers have been converted into homes by those that are very imaginative. It is a glorious end for these unheralded workhorses of the modern age. Here are some reasons why you should consider living in a shipping container home, and some factors you should know if you plan on living in one.
Cost
The first challenge that you may face on your path to having a shipping container home is cost. One would think that after being used so much and trudging from one end of the globe to the other, shipping containers would be relatively cheap. However, that is hardly the case.
Now, if you are going to build anything that is bigger than an artist’s cubicle, you may need more than eight shipping containers. You also need to factor in the cost of the land on which you are going to build your shipping container home. You may find that total costs are almost on par with the expenses of building a home the conventional way.
Insulation
Shipping containers are made of metal and, therefore, have to be properly insulated before they are turned into livable spaces. The importance of doing this can never be overemphasised. Although may save some money by skipping this step, skimping on insulation could, in the long run, turn you against the very idea of living in a shipping container home.
There are various ways through which you can insulate your shipping container home. An example is through the use of foam insulation. That is one of the quickest ways through which you can achieve the desired results. There are various types of foams out there than provide resistance against both heat and cold, which also serve to prevent corrosion and mould.
Building Regulations
Building regulations is another of the stumbling blocks that you are likely to come across when constructing a home out of shipping containers. Depending on where you live, you may find that your local authorities may not be amenable to having you build such a home in your chosen area. Shipping container homes tend to stand out, and if they are not properly designed, they can even be something of an eyesore.
Appealing to the artist in you
Despite the above challenges, shipping containers remain one of the easiest ways through which you can construct a beautiful home for yourself. Depending on your level of preparedness, it takes less time to build a home using shipping containers than with conventional construction materials. Another great thing about shipping container homes is that they can be moved from one place to another. The prices of shipping containers are also reasonable, considering the benefits that they can bring about.
