In previous years, we have faced quite a shocking rise in real estate prices. Even though we can now notice a mild price fall in some places, this is still not enough for an average family to settle without going into massive debt. That is the main reason why many future homeowners are seriously considering investing in container houses instead of traditional houses or apartments.

However, the jury is still out on whether or not these objects make a fine choice regarding finances, stability, and durability. Let’s try to make things clearer by deliberating on the pros, cons, and need-to-knows on cargotecture.

Container homes are cheaper

Price is the first factor most of the families consider when they’re out there searching for their new home. And that’s where shipping containers beat traditional properties easily.

The price of a container home is determined by the condition, size, and quality of the container, as well as the layout of the property you want to construct. On average, shipping containers can cost up to US$5,800. You can get one for double the price, but that would be a smaller (usually 20-foot) and used container. The most expensive is the new 40-foot high cube cargo. Keep in mind that there are also additional costs to consider, such as insulation, foundation, and external cladding.

You have a lot of liberty when deciding on the layout

If you just look at some of the examples of unique container homes people have built, you’ll be able to see the incredible creativity put into the design. This type of housing is especially convenient for families who have particular needs, such as two kitchens, several bathrooms, etc.

Today, there are many architects specialised in cargotecture who know how to customise the objects and create exactly what you want. The best thing is that you can gradually upgrade the house with additional rooms, amenities, and other things.

Easy and stress-free construction and moving

The stress and complications which come with house construction are often overwhelming. Moving from one town to another and getting a new home is no different. So, how does a container home help with this?

Well, first of all, you can get a pre-fabricated structure that requires nothing but a site and laying the foundation. You will be able to move inside in a matter of weeks. After some time, if you decide to move to another city, you can take your container home with you and set it up easily on a new site once again.

Cargotecture is meant to last

Many people discard container houses as weak and expendable. However, this is far from being true. These storage units are made to endure harsh weather conditions on the sea – including winds, storms, turbulent waves, and heavy rainfall.

Furthermore, the heavily corrugated steel frame is made to tolerate a significant amount of weight. One of the other things that constructors paid attention to are the access points for rodents and other pests. With proper insulation, your new home will also have a perfect indoor temperature.

Green is the way

Shipping containers are often lauded as the new way of eco-construction. Firstly, this is true because the storage units already have an outer structure. Because of that, you won’t need a lot of additional materials and intervention on the ground to build your home. Second, the weather-resistant properties we mentioned above mean that you won’t have to remodel the property frequently. If you buy a used shipping container, you’re also finding a new use for tons of steal that would eventually become waste.

Not everything is that peachy

While all of the above is true, shipping containers also come with certain flaws:

Units with a lot of shipping life can be damaged from extensive use, so you should inspect carefully what you’re about to buy.
While shipping containers are strong around the corners and walls, the roof doesn’t provide the same structural stability. This means that you should probably build a new roof over it, which will include additional costs.
If you’re buying a used container, you need to thoroughly examine what was transported in it. Some containers carried hazardous industrial materials such as lead paints and finishes. These are not intended for residential properties because they can release toxic residue into the air.
Because of the specific rectangular form of the storage unit, many things will need to be customised to be able to fit. This includes insulation, HVAC, plumbing, electricity, and possibly furniture.
If you purchase a small container to save money, you might end up with higher costs because of the need to adapt and customise every corner of it.

Bottom line

There’s no doubt that shipping containers make an important part of the housing future. We can only expect more innovative and creative design solutions. As for the future homeowners, they will be pleased with the price and the flexibility these properties carry. However, it’s important to consider every aspect of building a home from such a structure and do thorough research before buying one.

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