Shipping containers were created to solve the problem of how to move goods efficiently and safely across lands and seas. It is all thanks to the work of Malcolm McLean; containerization transformed the economical transport of products from distant countries.
Although after decades, he did not foresee the accumulation of excess containers over time because of trade imbalances. That factor led pioneers to transform shipping containers into useful structures in the year 1980s.
Today, the creativity of such designers in repurposing shipping containers into container homes is connotatively an out of the box idea. Because of their ingenuity, people who are looking for affordable and easy-to-build homes can be helped. However, these shipping containers can cater to business building structures too.
What is more, container homes can be bought online. All it takes is just one click. How cool is that, right? Surely, they have several good qualities, yet not all are suitable for every situation. So before clicking the buy button, read this full article first.
Contents
1. Economical
It states the obvious that building containers do save money. Containers have particular advantages over traditional home construction. Indeed, you will be buying a container, so you have a say on the design choice and size you want. Other expenditure will depend on DIY labor spending and voila! Your home is ready.
2. Eco-friendly
Remember the reduce, reuse, and recycle waste management? Well, these container homes just hit all the hierarchies.
- Reduce – containers can address the reduce waste management through decreased utilization of building materials and other natural resources. Tiny houses and minimalism notions are waving just at you.
- Reuse – shipping containers that are no longer applicable for carrying goods introduces a second lifecycle utilization. They are being reused for other purposes, practicing a sustainable process.
- Recycle – raw shipping container turned into a lavish container home is a good example. No one can argue with that.
3. Enduring
Since shipping containers are intended for long journeys across seas, it is a given that they are durable. They are made of steel and built to be extremely strong. Their capabilities to endure wear and tear, handle bulky goods, and last almost a life means you will get the equivalent advantages when used as a foundation to build your desired structure.
You’ll never go wrong in choosing a cargo container if you are concerned about withstanding severe weather, safekeeping your family and possessions, and having a home that will last for decades.
4. Extraordinary and Extensible
Empty containers have similar structures and sizes, so how they can be extraordinary and extensible? It is by thinking of ways how they can be modified, combined, and used. And with that, you will realize how endless the possibilities are.
Do you want your container homes ready to assemble? Or would you prefer doing DIY projects on your own? It is actually up to you. There are many container homes China manufacturers that can assist you in choosing your potential container house.
5. Extent Limitations
All shipping containers vary in heights and lengths. However, they only come in one width except for the 53-foot containers available barely in the United States. Generally, all cargo containers are 8 feet wide.
Just imagine, after remodeling the interior walls and insulation, you will end up with less than 7 feet of room width. It is a good thing, though, that shipping containers can be placed next to each other and cut out parts of the walls.
Also, you can choose to enclose the area between two parallel containers. This position will give a full spot, focusing on the space that is mainly inside the containers. So if you seek a spacious place to live in, you might need to rethink purchasing this type of home.
6. Exposure to Varying Temperatures
Container homes need insulation to make them habitable since heat moves quickly through steel. If there are no available insulations, people residing can suffer in high temperatures in hot weather and freeze badly in chilly climates.
There is no cavity inside the walls of container home, unlike a typical wooden wall with studs in which you can easily place insulation. Thus, insulation has to be put either inside or outside of the metal sheathing.
7. Ensuring Health Concerns
Health assurance is a common concern among prospective container home builders. The real deal is that most containers with a wooden floor have pesticides applied to the wood. Though the chances of getting lead-based paint are low, the industrial paint used in containers could have some other chemicals.
It is essential to comprehend that the mere presence of chemicals is not necessarily hazardous. It is the exposure to such degrees of chemicals and over particular periods that can be a nuisance. It is a good thing that there are ways that you can ensure your home from these hazards — for instance, the removal of floors and cleaning off the paint. Or, encapsulating would be more uncomplicated and more comfortable.
8. Experienced Contractors
People mostly end up getting help from outside contractors, even DIYers. One rarely has the skills, time, and equipment to do every task in repurposing a container home. If you are discerning of employing contractors to help you with particular works, you have to resolve first the part on how involved you want to be in reconstructing.
Conclusion
To sum it up, shipping containers are useful not only for transporting goods but also for reconstructing homes. They can be easily bought and shipped in just a click. Nevertheless, before buying, you must weigh first the pros and cons when it comes to your needs.
