The environmental movement has inspired architects around the world to rethink traditional building construction and consider reusable materials to create new structures including homes made from shipping containers. Durable and versatile, shipping containers are readily available and therefore provide an ideal foundation to build a homes and apartment complexes using multiple units.

The eco-friendly idea to use containers for new applications is giving new life to shipping containers sitting in storage yards. Mostly made in Asia and transported to major ports around the world, shipping containers are built to last. Often, containers lay useless after their initial transport use, but creative thinkers have found various ways to utilize these units. Although the strength and resilience of shipping containers are undoubted, some drawbacks to using these structures do exist. Let's look at the pros and cons of shipping container houses.

Why Build a House from Shipping Containers?

The primary purpose of converting shipping containers for sale into homes is environmental. Instead of using new wood, cement, plaster, and other resources, storage containers homes reuse a material that already exists and turn that into something new and livable. Because many shipping containers do not embark on many voyages, units sit in shipyards for years without use. Building a house from shipping containers is a method of recycling in a more impactful way than separating papers and aluminum cans from waste.

Building with containers can be more cost-effective than traditional construction as well. Just as buying clothes from a used clothing store is generally cheaper, building houses with shipping containers can generate lower expenses than building structures by traditional means.

Built to transport cargo overseas and withstand Mother Nature's worst conditions, shipping containers are extremely reliable. While one trip containers are the highest quality structures available on the container market, even used containers still possess incredible strength especially with a few container modifications .

Disadvantages of Building with Containers

The possibility of exposure to chemicals related to container creation does exist. To avoid any risks, purchasing a one trip container or a refurbished unit is a good idea. Buildings created for retail use usually fall under the Uniform Building Code, and so do houses, depending on whether the home was created by a third-party company that converts containers into homes for the customer. However, many DIY projects may lead to people missing out on certain regulations designed to translate into adequate living conditions. Also considering heating and AC systems is important. Shipping containers have interiors, exteriors, and bases made of metal, which means that they are fantastic heat conductors. This quality requires inner regulation.

As the amount of modifications to a container increases, so does the total price. New and refurbished containers will be more expensive than the “as-is” used containers sitting on lots, but these containers are essentially the only ones that are livable. The bottom line is the price to purchase a used shipping container can end up doubling once the necessary modifications are made. This will usually still add up to less than building a small house via regular means, but will involve a lot more unconventional work, which is especially the case with many state-of-the-art container homes that are gaining recent attention.

Everything to Know About Shipping Container Houses

The pros and cons of building a shipping container house