Container Homes 500
Container homes or as some call them shipping container
homes or cargo container homes are a new low cost, eco-friendly
way to build a house with a unique design while recycling.
Container homes basically start with some form of shipping
or cargo steel box that may have once been on a long haul
truck, train or carried across the ocean by a shipping
vessel.
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Large artsy container home |
The designers and builders of these container homes have
basically taken these sound structures and modified them
into house that people actually live in. Imagine that!
Some container homes are large enough for one 8' X 8 '
X 40 long structure to house a family of four.
But those creating container home plans haven't stopped
there as you can see by the pictures on this page. They
have put multiple containers together, creating much more
space (and recycling even more steel).
It's been estimated that at any one time there are over
18 million shipping cargo containers in transit somewhere
around the world. These containers are either floating
on the seas, flying above us, traveling by train or being
carried by truck.
But, if you want to go low cost and eco-friendly then
you'll most likely want to buy a used shipping container
and start building your home from there. Buying these
used containers that are 40-feet long are relatively cheap
with prices between $2,000 and $5,000. For those only
wanting small houses to dwell in say, 20-feet long then
they can even find them for around $1,500.
Fun eco-friendly cargo container
home |
Now, let's go over some of the
advantages of the container homes. Cost of course
is first. Reducing your carbon footprint is another
reason since you're recycling and presumably buying
a smaller house rather than a mansion.
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Another advantage of container homes is that they are
easily shipped. That makes sense now doesn't it. You can
have it built in one part of the country and shipped somewhere
else. Like a mobile home, a container home is more mobile
than most houses that need extraordinary measures to move
them from point A to point B.
Another advantage of container homes is that they are
modular. They can be stacked horizontally or vertically.
You can put two or more together in different designs.
The plans that can be developed may be old school, modern
or just plain weird and unique.
Many architects like working with container homes because
they are starting with known structures made of heavy
grade steel. Of course other building materials may be
added, depending upon the design and layout of the container
home plans. But, there is much creativity that can be
accomplished with these kinds of structures.
One of the disadvantages of course is that not all architects
are familiar with green building techniques and structures.
Working with containers to build home with will be foreign
to them and so there is a limited pool of professionals
in this area who are willing to do this kind of work.
Large home using several shipping containers
Be that as it may, container homes offer affordability,
unique designs, and going green through recycling. If
this appeals to you then you may want to check out building
one of more of your own container homes today.
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