The last decade has seen a surge in shipping container housing. So much so that shipping container homes are fast being seen as an answer to the ongoing housing crisis in Australia. A shipping container home without a doubt has many benefits. When you buy shipping container from a reliable company, you save on housing and construction costs. Moreover, it takes only about a month to build. However, owners often make some mistakes when they build shipping container homes. To know what these mistakes are, read on.
Choosing the wrong type of container
Interviews from people who made the same mistake have revealed that not choosing the right container is a big mistake. Be sure to have a specific plan in your mind and look for a suitable shipping container. Do not compromise on size, since you can choose from containers ranging from 20 feet to 45 feet. You may also want to consider open top variants when you buy shipping container. It is recommended to go for common shipping containers such as the 20ft shipping container and 40ft shipping container rather the odd size ones as the market supply is more regular and cost effective. Building a 10ft shipping container usually will require more labor and efforts to modify from an existing 20ft shipping container therefore implying higher costs.
To add, do not settle on regular height. High cube containers are a foot higher than regular containers. They allow greater headroom and space for insulation. Do not ignore used shipping containers, especially since they can help you save on costs.
Neglecting proper insulation
If you don’t insulate your shipping container home, you may face extreme conditions, depending on the local climate. You will generally use spray foam insulation. If the area sees a lot of rain, your insulation should provide a seamless barrier for vapor. In case of warm and dry climates, avoid a seamless vapor barrier.
However, you shouldn’t use spray foam for ventilation everywhere. Other options are recycled newspapers, insulation panels, and blanket insulation. Insulation is important to guard against condensation and damp as well.
Cutting a lot of steel out
The biggest advantage shipping container homes offer is strength. No matter how creative you want your container homes to be, cutting out too much steel from your container will mean compromised structural strength. Even though they are modular units that can be stacked on top of each other, over-modification is dangerous. You can instead work on the interiors.
Cutting out steel for doors and windows is obviously safe. However, if you need to cut out more than that, you will need reinforcement. Steel beams can provide support but they mean extra expenses.
Ignoring planning regulations
You should ideally work according to the laws of the state government. They override the local council. Do not ignore planning regulations especially since they vary across the country. Generally, you are required to conceal the shipping container appearance and have them painted like residential property.
Some councils also specify the number of containers you can have. In these cases, you can buy shipping containers of larger sizes.
Not researching your container provider enough
Whenever you buy a shipping container, make sure that it is a reliable company. Building a shipping container home means you would want to save, so look for companies that offer wholesale rates. Ask whether the company provides wind and water tight containers. You should also be able to ask for your container to be delivered anywhere in Australia and New Zealand. Lastly, know that a good container company will always have a large stock.