Shipping containers are one of the most affordable home building materials available. Many people have used or reused a shipping container or several to make aesthetically appealing homes that they and their families can comfortably fit in. As a matter of fact, some people use them to make rental residential units. Depending on where you come from and whether there is a port nearby, shipping containers are not that hard to acquire. Companies that sell new and reused shipping containers are also available, including some that deliver them to your doorstep or desired location.
But just like the case with ordinary buildings, building a shipping container home requires you to familiarize yourself with certain important factors if at all your home is going to be appealing and structurally solid. Here are 10 tips for you if you want to create a shipping container home.
1. See the Container before Buying
Buying a container that you’ve not seen is similar to buying a used car without seeing and inspecting it. Ask for pictures and detailed information about the product before you buy a shipping container. This can help you protect yourself from scams and avoid buying a defective product that you intend to call a home soon.
2. There Are Different Kinds of Shipping Containers
There are various types of shipping containers in terms of size and shape. Common options include 8-feet high and 9-feet high cube containers. While the taller containers can be costlier to finish and insulate, they can also be friendlier when it comes to indoor cooling.
3. Don’t Cut the Budget Too Much
There’s no doubt about it, shipping container homes are way less expensive than other types of residencies. Nonetheless, larger, stronger, and more comfortable homes cost more to create. However, you may want to spend as much as you can to create a comfortable, strong, and appealing. After all, completely finishing the interior and exterior will increase your home’s value.
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4. Building Codes Apply
Just like it is with other types of structures such as mobile homes, building codes apply in most places when it comes to building a container home. Check to find out if it is even permitted and whether there are certain restrictions you should adhere to. This can help you avoid losses and stay on the right side of the law.
5. Insulation Is Crucial
More often than not, shipping containers are made from metal, steel to be precise. This means that your home can get unbearably hot or cold during summers and winters respectively if the roof and the walls are not adequately insulated. Air conditioning is also paramount, so you may want to set a budget aside for cooling.
6. Minimize Cutting Your Container
You will obviously have to cut certain sections of your container to make way for certain utilities and features, like doors and windows, for instance. However, too much cutting can end up impacting on your home’s structural integrity, which means you may have to invest in metal reinforcement. Minimal cutting will help keep your budget low.
7. Plan Well for Wiring and Plumbing
Just like in ordinary construction, creating a shipping container home requires proper thought when it comes to wiring and plumbing. Plan for electrical and plumbing well in advance before the finishing the interior design to avoid inconveniences and surprise losses.
8. Find A Way to Deal with the Wind
Shipping container homes can be noisy when placed in a windy area. It is important to think about the wind in advance, and probably find strategies to deal with it, such as planting vegetation and installing windbreaks to avoid the nuisance.
9. Keep Your Welding Minimum
Tiny homes are cheaper to maintain and live in, and shipping containers can be used to create a perfect one. However, you will want to minimize your welding in case you need additional square footage if at all you’re concerned about your budget. Welding can be quite expensive, so keep it at the minimum to avoid going out of your budget.
10 Work With One Contractor
There are contractors that handle the project from scratch to completion including finishing. Avoid hiring a contractor for design, one for electrical, another one for finishing and so on as this might end up messing up your design or even costing you more. Also plan your interior decoration according to your budget.