The hot tendency of shipping box homes fulfills many design wishes: living simply, lessening mess, being conscious environmentally, creating a home on a budget and the opportunity to take action totally modern and various which makes your neighbours' jaws drop.
But there are other sensible aspects to surviving in a shipping box home. Your home is fireproof and zero-maintenance. You can are in a container home almost anywhere, and lock it up if you are away. Better even, smaller pot homes can move along with you. Shipping pot homes can be modular: You could stack several or even more as needed.
THE PRIOR Life of any Shipping Box Home
Shipping containers are constructed of steel and created to endure weather, heavy stacking and sea travel. While their lifespan may easily be 30 years, most delivery companies utilize them less before placing them out to pasture substantially. An average shipping container work lifespan is a decade or less.
The standard container measure 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches high, and comes in lengths of 20 or 40 feet. A third option, which may be harder to find, offers higher ceilings; it’s called the high cube. A high cube container measures 40 feet long and is 9 feet 6 inches high.
Shipping Container Home Challenges
Before you head out to buy a plot of land and build your dream container home, you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions to avoid potential issues.
Do I need a permit?
You will probably need several. Some areas don’t allow residential construction using shipping containers, so check with your local planning department first.
What is the weather like where I want to build?
Insulating a shipping container can be tricky. Bigger issues include extreme weather changes that can lead to interior moisture condensation, and windy areas that can create noise problems.
An empty 20-foot container can weigh almost 5,000 pounds. You’ll probably need to have it delivered. Make sure a large truck can enter your property easily and place it on site,or you’ll have to deal with very expensive cranes to lift the container into place.
What was the previous life of the container?
Buyer beware: The contents of many containers are often sprayed with pesticides for ocean travel. Worse, some shipping containers for sale previously transported toxic chemicals that will ruin your chances of creating a green home. Do your research on the previous life of the shipping container you’re choosing.
Will I need an architect or engineer?
If you’re making cuts and major changes to your container, it’s probably a good idea to consult with experts. The long, vertical walls on a container are load bearing and will need reinforcement if cut out for windows or doors. Planning for electrical and plumbing requires professionals, especially to pass permit and planning requirements.
