Shipping Container Home Building

November 8, 2011 admin

Shipping Container Home Building

Article by Randy Stevenson

Shipping container home building is a continuing trend, especially in areas where single family homes are more scarce and land is incredibly expensive. Even here in the United States, though, the use of used ISBUs – inter-modal steel building units – has taken hold.>>Click Here for More on Shipping Container Home Building<<Besides the large number of benefits, particularly the lower cost of using storage containers for new home builds, there is better understanding of how to retrofit the containers for use in construction and better building codes to accommodate the use of those materials.

It’s difficult to pin down the number of shipping container homes that actually exist, as many are tackled by homeowners as a DIY project. The fact that the containers are pre-fabricated makes shipping container home building a much faster process than traditional home building.

Can a Shipping Container Home be a Home

One of the biggest questions interested residents often have is the question of shipping container home building codes and whether or not they may be able to use those material in their own projects. While some building departments may not have as much experience with plans that use these containers in the project, more and more cities allow these materials within city limits. The question really comes down to the final plan and appearance of the structure.

Often referred to as shipping container architecture, the use of these steel boxes has gone beyond homes and small structures to projects of large scale and commercial use. They make quick homes in rural areas, nice office space for commercial projects, and can be easily retrofitted to act as small offices or classrooms. The fact that the structures are sturdy and can withstand even hurricane winds is simply a bonus.

Purchasing a used Shipping Container Home

Used shipping containers can help expand the space of even existing homes. Those interested in an outside office, a stand alone patio or family area outside, or those who need a separate workshop can make one out of readily used containers in much shorter time than putting up a brand new structure from scratch.

Shipping container home building is an option for many who prefer environmentally friendly building, are looking to cut costs on their home, and have a great eye for creativity and design.

Randy Stevenson is a researcher and writer in the environmental sector. Find more information shipping containers as home at Shipping Container Houses or at http://www.shippingcontainerhouses.blogspot.com.

So, is a Shipping Container home right for you?

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Advantages of Container Housing

November 2, 2011 admin

Advantages of Shipping Container Housing

Article by Rony
Shipping containers was invented in the 1950s by Malcolm McLean. Today these containers transport about 90% of the world’s goods. After making many trips throughout the world, the used shipping containers started piling up, producing storage problems.

Now, shipping containers have found another use as alternative housing. The modular construction supports designs that are low-cost and help the containers to be easily transformed into a living space.

Advantages to Shipping Container Housing

Advantages of Container HousingContainer housing has many benefits over conventional housing. The container has already been fashioned. A normal container is retired from transportation service after 2 – 3 years and can then be bought at an economical price. Shipping containers are constructed from steel to endure the bleak sea air. They can also be easily moved to your place. Another advantage is that no base is needed for the container, saving extra costs.

CostsA container can be bought in an as-is state. It implies that there is no need for alterations like electrical, plumbing, room dividers, or windows. For those ready to go for alteration projects, an elementary container costs ,500 to ,000 for one measuring 40 feet long and 8 feet wide. Based on the distance, this cost can include delivery.

Companies in countries like England, Amsterdam, and New Zealand have now begun to polish the containers for clients who don’t have the time or expertise to do the alterations.

Many United States companies are selling modified containers. E.g., Global Portable Buildings Inc. offers floor plans for people looking for a total container. They also provide solar energy as an alternative.

Every 40-foot container has an average of 320 square feet of economical living space, as per the “Shipping Container Company Guide: Finding Shipping Container House Plans.” Containers normally reduce total construction cost by up to 50%.

DurabilityUsually, the containers use corrugated steel with tubular steel frames. The flooring consists of 1/2-inch, marine-grade plywood. The welds are water-proof..

Shipping Containers are great shelters

When buying a shipping container for construction, watch out for ISO certification. This will guarantee that the container follows the specifications. As per the WebUrbanist, containers can be used as offices, emergency shelters, and constructed as flats or container cities.

To learn more, please click the link: Mini Containers

If you are looking for an inexpensive emergency shelter you may want to sheck into Shipping Containers.

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Shipping Container Homes

November 2, 2011 admin

Shipping Container Homes

There are many benefits to living in a shipping container home , and more and more people are starting to realize this and take action. If you are already lucky enough to have built your own and/or already live in one, you’ll know these benefits first hand and will have experienced them for yourself.

Much cheaper than conventional building methods of timber-framed buildings, and brick and mortar buildings, used containers are modular, flexible in design (and can be made to look absolutely beautiful!), durable, eco-friendly, and just an all-round winner when it comes to building your own home.

Over the next few paragraphs I’m going to outline some of the benefits of living in used shipping containers homes.

Shipping Container Homes Economical to build…

Although the price of containers is currently on the rise (due to various factory closures inChinaduring 2009 and early 2010), you can still pick up a fairly good bargain. As the global recession starts to ebb and global trade routes begin to get busier again, the production of shipping containers will increase also. You’ll start to see container prices start to dip again, or at the very least remain stable.

You can currently pick up a used container for around $1,500USD. That’s a base price of $1,500USD for 305sq feet of floor space. Not bad when you compare it to the price of more traditional forms of construction.

So to conclude this point, used shipping container homes are much more economical to build than more conventional building methods.

Eco-Friendly (Green Living)

So how green can shipping container homes living be?

The answer: They can be as green as you want them to be.

If you want to go down the truly green route, then think of your home more as an ‘eco-pod’. You could produce your own energy by putting a few solar panels on the roof. You can use hydro if you’re close to a river or fast-flowing stream.

You can apply a ‘Green/Living Roof’ to the top of your containers which will aide in insulation and greatly reduce your heating costs (in the winter) and cooling costs (in the summer).

Shipping Container Homes are Durable and Weather-proof

Consider the fact that shipping containers are built to withstand the most unforgiving weather conditions, travelling hundreds of thousands of miles aboard open-top trans-oceanic shipping-container ships… Built to have a minimum working life of 20 years before being decommissioned. After that, these containers, placed in a fixed position and maintained, have an almost infinite lifespan.

Made of pre-fabricated steel and welded together, they are made to be rigid and strong, and very hard-wearing. This makes them hugely practical in areas of high geological activity, such as earthquake zones and hurricane hotspots.

Shipping container homes can easily hold out against wind speeds of up to 175mp/h (281km/h) when anchored with pylons…which is easily done. Every building should have suitable foundations whether it be from used shipping containers or a traditional build.

Conclusion

Above I’ve outlined the three main benefits most home-owners will immediately notice. They are in fact three of the main things many people look at when buying any type of home. It just goes to show the explosion in shipping container homes in the past few years is totally justifiable, and why so, so many people are turning to these containers to build their own dream homes.
Shipping Container Homes
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