Container homes
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Shipping container architecture. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2007. |
Container homes are dwellings made from shipping containers, though the construction technique has been applied to offices, retail stores, warehouses, and restaurants.
Advantages
Construction is relatively cheap using shipping containers as they can be purchased used from major transportation companies for as little as $900.00USD each. Even when purchased brand new they seldom cost more than $6000.00USD.
As they are already designed to interlock for ease of mobility during transportation, structural construction is completed by simply emplacing them. Due to the containers' modular design additional construction is as easy as stacking more containers. They can be stacked up to 12 high when empty.
Disadvantages
The containers will, in most cases, be delivered by truck and must be emplaced by a crane or forklift.
The use of steel for construction, while prevalent in industrial construction, is currently not yet widely used for residential structures.
The welding and cutting of steel is considered to be specialized labor and can increase construction costs.
Steel conducts heat and cold very well; containers used as a home in an environment with extreme temperature variations must be insulated beyond what is required for most wood structures.