Small yet spacious shipping container homes abound in Australia and New Zealand today. Designs like the Port-a-bach provide ample interior space, functionality and portability. Whether you want to live ‘off grid’ or want to save up money for your studies, using a shipping container to build a home is a good idea. Despite the massive popularity that this trend enjoys, shipping container prices are surprisingly low. Read here about 5 benefits of building a shipping container home.
Affordability
Buying a home even in the cheapest part of the city can be expensive. Add to that the cost of construction, and building a new home could remain a distant dream for you. However, if you build a home with shipping containers, the cost could be well within your budget. This is exactly why shipping container homes are so popular in Australia. Even in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, shipping container prices are low. Installing solar panels on the roof can help you save on electricity as well. Look out for reliable companies online and negotiate well. Shipping container homes bring down labour costs as well.
Structure
Shipping container homes are based on the principle of combining modular units. Therefore, they provide simpler design and transportation. Their modular nature allows stacking on top of each other. You can ask your shipping container company for a range of sizes, types and conditions. They are built to resist years of travel and harsh environments, which makes them sturdy as homes. The steel allows better structure and prefabricated containers don’t need foundations. This helps save money as well. You can even have the unit situated on a variety of ground conditions, using stable concrete footings. Builders and developers often consider the mixed usage of 20ft shipping container and 40ft shipping container allowing them the flexibility to increase space modularly.
Scope for creativity
Their modular nature also allows you to design them the way you want. In recent years, shipping container architecture has defied conventions to offer sustainable and highly-functional residential designs. If you need to be constantly on the move, a shipping container home will provide you portability as well. You can incorporate wooden floors and glass windows in the interior design. These homes also give you an opportunity to live close to nature. Bioclimatic designs offer utilisation of natural light, proper insulation and ventilation.
Easy and convenient to build
The size and shape of these units make them less time-consuming to fit into a structure. Shipping container homes can be built faster than regular buildings. It takes only around one month to set up a cosy little home. You don’t need to build walls or ceiling, and you can move in right after the insulation. For bigger homes, construction can be done off-site and the units can be transported to your location. You can use the time hence saved to design the interiors.
Availability
Despite the huge demand, shipping containers are available in plenty. The shipping industry keeps generating a large volume of reusable shipping containers. Apart from the standard size, a good company can provide you containers of different sizes. Containers can be delivered easily, no matter what part of Australia or New Zealand you live in. You can even look for containers on the basis of transport.
