From micro homes to boat living, homeowners have taken creative steps to downsize their households. One method gaining popularity are shipping container homes, which are fashioned from used containers no longer needed by manufacturers to ship goods. They’re economical and kind to the environment, but they also present drawbacks for the everyday homeowner.
One obvious disadvantage is the lack of space – most shipping containers are 20-40 feet in length, 8 feet wide and just over 8 feet tall. Containers can be cut and extended to accommodate more room, but doing so will add to your overall cost and delay your move-in date considerably.
In addition, contractors willing to help are few and far between. Many shipping containers have floors treated with chemicals by the manufacturer, so flooring would need to be replaced before the home becomes habitable.
However, shipping containers can be a solution for homeowners concerned about the time and expense associated with building a home. One shipping container owner built his home in just one day!
And shipping containers are eco-friendly. To cut costs, manufacturers leave shipping containers at their destination, rather than spending more to ship them back to home. As such, containers are readily available to be recycled for other purposes. An up-cycled container can make use of over 7,500 lbs of steel that would otherwise remain unused.
Source: RISMedia’s Housecall
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