People worldwide seem to be increasingly fascinated by the idea of tiny homes and alternative lifestyles, including dwellings constructed in ways you would not expect. One of these unique living phenomena is shipping container homes.
But what are the pros and cons of such a lifestyle choice? Let’s dive a little deeper into the whole idea.
As the world has been taken by storm in recent years by the innovative designs of tiny homes and alternative living situations, shipping container homes are also becoming more popular for those looking to live a different lifestyle.
But what is a shipping container home, you might ask?
Well, they are basically what the name suggests: a dwelling constructed within large, metal shipping containers—the same style of shipping containers commonly used in transporting goods overseas on freighter ships or across countries on semi-trucks or train cars.
These containers are primarily available in two distinct sizes for transforming into a home— 20 ft. by 8 ft, or 40 ft. by 8 ft. The key difference is the square footage inside, as the former provides 160 square feet, while the latter gives 320 square feet.
Depending on what you do with these shipping containers, they can be turned into entirely self-contained small homes, an independent workspace, a personal studio, or even combined with other containers to create entire multi-level houses.
But what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in such a space? Let’s discuss some specifics associated with alternative living in homes made from shipping containers.
If you are interested in the lifestyle of downsizing from a traditional house to something smaller and more versatile, such as a shipping container home, it might be the right choice for you. But let’s go over the pros of this decision first.
While this is no guarantee, shipping container homes tend to cost less than traditional housing in the long run.
Not only are shipping containers usually cheaper to purchase by themselves, but they are also less expensive to turn into a decent dwelling customized to your exact specifications.
If you keep the overall structure of the shipping container intact when turning it into a home, they can be easily transported across countries and even oceans—making it easy to embrace mobility and move wherever you want.
This is done by shipping companies that can offer transport services even for modified shipping containers, delivering them worldwide by boat, truck, or train.
The options for customizing and modifying your shipping container home are nearly endless. You can select multiple containers to create a multi-story structure or combine different container sizes for an individualized layout.
Additionally, shipping containers are reasonably easy to modify internally, as well. You just need the right tools to cut holes for windows, doors, and stairwells into the container itself to create the perfect dwelling for you.
Though they are not made of particularly eco-friendly materials, it’s still an environmentally conscious decision to turn a shipping container into your home.
Instead of letting it lie around a shipping yard and go to waste or becoming refuse in a landfill, you are giving this object a second life as a home.
It’s much easier to heat and illuminate these small spaces than to warm an entire house. You will impose fewer supply needs on the infrastructure and environment around you and have lower utility bills as a result.
Plus, it takes less energy consumption to transform a shipping container into a home than it does to build an entirely new residence from scratch!
Considering the steel that these prefabricated shipping containers are made of, you don’t have to worry about burglars gaining access to your alternative dwelling. It is quite hard to successfully break into a metal box, after all!
And, when you are away from your little home for an extended period, you can simply lock up the outer doors—if you kept the original storage container door—and rely on the security system that allows these containers to ship expensive goods around the world.
As mentioned, these units are generally made of reinforced or galvanized steel, allowing them to be shipped across massive distances and often under the influence of terrible weather conditions.
As a result, shipping container homes benefit from being incredibly hardy and durable, with low instances of your typical residential wear and tear.
If you want to renovate a traditional residence or add more rooms to an existing building, it will typically cost quite a lot of money.
But with shipping container homes, you can easily add to the structure and customize it in a way that can evolve with an ever-changing lifestyle or family size. The base price is the same for each container; it just depends on what you do with it.
When building a typical multi-story residence that one might find in the suburbs, there is always a long waiting period for the house to actually become a livable space and not just a construction zone.
But the time is significantly shorter in terms of shipping containers being turned into dwellings. They already have walls, floors, and a roof, so you can skip several steps of the process and get your home created sooner.
There is really no shortage of shipping containers in the world. Because the manufacturing and agricultural sectors rely on these units to transport and receive goods all over the planet, they are common and easy to find.
And just because a shipping container has been retired by a transport company or manufacturer doesn’t mean that it is unusable— it can still be transformed into a dwelling after its time as a cargo bearer ends.
And while there certainly are benefits to living in an alternative housing structure, like a shipping container home, there are also disadvantages to this lifestyle. It’s time to examine some cons of this alternative living style.
Shipping containers are not built with modern appliances in mind, so altering them to include your typical home setup of dishwashers, stoves, ovens, washers, or dryers can be difficult.
You will need to put in a custom electrical system, as well as special plumbing to make toilets flush and water run, which needs to be done by a specialist in this field and will cost more than a DIY job.
You generally need very specific permits and zoning permissions for turning a shipping container into a home, as they are technically classed as a non-permanent structure.
And some municipalities won’t even let you set up a shipping container as your home, depending on local housing regulations. So, it can be difficult to figure out the fine print on finding a place to put your alternative-style dwelling.
Not everyone can work with shipping containers, and specialist contractors or builders who have experience with turning these units into a successful living spaces can be difficult to find and expensive to hire.
Shipping containers are made with fairly thin metal walls, so you need to insulate them well before they become livable.
However, unless you want to build out the walls a bit, you will likely need to use a thin insulation layer that will fit within the narrow confines of the container’s dimensions, like a spray foam that doesn’t provide as much insulation as other options.
Because of the metal construction of shipping containers, it can be hard to achieve temperature regulation inside the structure, particularly in very hot or cold climates.
It takes a lot of insulation and airflow to help maintain control of the temperatures, so setting up your dwelling in the far North or a tropical location might not be the best idea.
Depending on the types of cargo your shipping container was previously used for, it can bring health hazards to the fore.
Some of these shipments could have contained toxic substances, dangerous cargo, or even spillages, not to mention treatment with insecticides or other chemicals that such containers will undergo during their years of service.
Your safest plan of action would be to have the entire container sandblasted by a professional company. This will remove any hazardous materials or residue in the unit and significantly add to your budget.
With shipping containers, even though there are two main sizes available, what you see is basically what you get. And while you can stack them and attach other units, the space will always be rectangular and the dimensions rigid.
And depending on how many storage containers your home is made of, the space may be noticeably smaller than what you are used to. So before you make the transition, consider all aspects of tiny home living to decide if it is right for you.
While these containers are definitely sturdy and made with durable metal materials, they still might need some reinforcement and structural augmentation, leading to extra building costs and layout constraints.
This is particularly necessary if you have altered the base model with many openings, modifications, or cuts to the metal, as this weakens the entire structure and creates a need for outside support.
There are many factors to consider when making the decision to live in a shipping container home. On the one hand, there are the obvious benefits to living in a shipping container home: they’re relatively inexpensive, eco-friendly, and can be built quickly. On the other hand, there are some potential drawbacks: they can be cramped and uncomfortable, and may not be up to code in some areas.
So, what’s the verdict? Are shipping container homes right for you? Here, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of living in a shipping container home, to help you make an informed decision.
1. They’re Inexpensive
One of the biggest advantages of shipping container homes is that they’re relatively inexpensive. When you compare the cost of building a traditional home, shipping container homes are a fraction of the price. This is because they’re made from recycled materials, and can often be built using DIY methods.
2. They’re Eco-Friendly
Another big plus for shipping container homes is that they’re eco-friendly. Because they’re made from recycled building materials, they have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional homes. Plus, they can often be outfitted with solar panels and other green features.
3. They Can Be Built Quickly
Another advantage of shipping container homes is that they can be built relatively quickly. Because the materials are already pre-fabricated, all you need to do is assemble them on-site. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a fast and affordable way to build your own home.
1. They Can Be Cramped and Uncomfortable
One of the potential drawbacks of shipping container homes is that they can be cramped and uncomfortable. Because they’re typically only about 10-15 feet wide, they can feel a bit claustrophobic. Plus, the metal walls can make them hot in the summer and cold in the winter. If you’re considering building a shipping container home, be sure to take these potential downsides into account.
2. They Might Not Be Up to Code
Another potential downside of shipping container homes is that they might not be up to code in some areas. Because they’re such a new type of home construction, there aren’t always clear guidelines for how to build them. This can mean that they might not meet local building codes. Before you commit to a shipping container home, be sure to do your research and make sure it will be up to code in your area.
3. They Might Not Appreciate in Value
Another potential downside of shipping container homes is that they might not appreciate in value. Because they’re still a relatively new type of construction, it’s hard to say whether or not they’ll increase in value over time. If you’re considering a shipping container home, be sure to factor this into your decision.
If you are considering the option of living in a shipping container home, you need to carefully consider all these points.
At Port Shipping Containers, our team has extensive experience in all kinds of shipping container modification projects. This includes building a wide range of shipping container accommodation. As is the case with traditional homes, container homes can be built in all kinds of sizes, configurations, and with a wide variety of finishes and ‘mod cons’. From cosy cottages to larger homes with modern luxuries, there are so many options for a shipping container house.
Our team will help you take advantage of all that living in a shipping container home offers, and ensure that the drawbacks are mitigated as much as possible. Contact our team to chat about your ideas about living in a shipping container home.