Shipping Containers: New To Eco-Building Designs.
We live in an age when there are many pressures on housing. There’s a pressing demand for affordable new homes, but there’s also a need that any that are constructed use sustainable resources and be environmentally friendly as well.
Now a solution has arrived from a very unexpected source: the use, or rather re-use, of steel shipping containers to be repurposed as homes. And not just as single units, they are increasingly being combined using accessories like shipping container roof kits to create an extended living and storage areas too.
Why shipping containers?
Using the 40’ metal boxes we are more used to seeing stacked up on the decks of cargo ships or being unloaded at the docks might seem an unlikely solution. But there are several reasons why it’s one that ticks all the eco-friendly boxes and more.
They’re sustainable
There are many more containers in the world today than the shipping industry needs. But instead of scrapping old ones it’s a far more sustainable solution to convert them into homes and give them a second life. Even if the steel was to be recycled it would still take energy to accomplish this, so this is a 100% more economical.
They’re modular
Shipping containers have been designed to go together like building blocks. That’s how they all fit so neatly together. This means that when it comes to converting them into homes there is an almost limitless number of options in how they can be combined. Already, there are some stunning examples, some of which use 20 or more containers to create homes offering thousands of square feet of living space. They also come in different standard sizes, so the combinations are really only limited to the imagination of the architect who designs a shipping container home and the structural engineer who ensures that the design is safe.
They’re robust
Shipping containers are constructed to very high standards, much of it by hand. They have to be strong to protect their cargo when it’s sailing in wet, salty and challenging conditions. So compared with most standard house-building materials they are robust and set to last far longer too. Their construction also means that, within limits, it’s possible to cut all the holes needed for doors and windows without compromising their structural integrity.
They’re economical to own
You can expect to pick up a pre-used 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” container for about $2,500 and about double that for a new one. That’s an awful lot of space for your buck especially when you consider that building from new costs around $350 per square foot – so the equivalent floor space in a new-build would cost over $110,000. Plus, when it comes to fitting out a container it’s relatively simple to install all the necessary utilities. Insulating the container to remain at a fairly constant temperature is also a simple process. To make them even more environmentally friendly many also have photovoltaic panels mounted on top to harness the sun’s rays for heating and hot water purposes.
For anyone considering this option, understanding the market for buying new or used containers is key, as prices and availability can vary widely depending on size, condition, and location. Factoring these details in early helps ensure projects remain both cost-effective and sustainable.
They’re moveable
It might never be necessary, but in case you do need to relocate a shipping container its modular design means it can be easily dismantled and reconstructed at another locations
They can look incredible
Last, but not least, the very best examples of shipping container homes can be visually stunning, giving an architect-designed appearance at a fraction of the cost. The use of cladding can create virtually any exterior appearance and finish you could want. And the installation of large picture windows and bi-fold doors add to a sleek-lined and aesthetically pleasing design.
So, if you’re looking for a housing alternative that’s not exactly mainstream but has a great deal to recommend it on environmental and sustainability grounds you may have found the solution. Now it’s just a question of choosing the right architect to bring your vision gloriously to life.
