Expandable Container House: The Sustainable Alternative to a New Home
New home construction is expensive. While demand for new homes continues to outpace supply, especially among more affordable options, the cost of building a new house always outpaces the cost of an existing structure. Add to that all the other expenses involved with buying and renovating a home, and you have an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars that won’t pay off for quite some time. Expanding your current home is a more affordable way to add space without breaking the bank. Expandable container houses are not only cheaper than building from scratch but also quicker to build and generally less disruptive to your neighbors. These prefabricated homes can be expanded as needed without requiring extensive renovations or putting occupants at risk from unstable or substandard conditions during construction.
What is an Expandable Container House?
An expandable container house uses standardized shipping containers that are modified to create multi-story structures. The containers are modified and stacked to fit your needs — whether that’s an apartment or a school building. They’re designed to be modular and fit together to create larger structures where needed. Expandable container houses utilize standardized containers to create a sustainable and cost-effective building model. Most expandable container houses are built with steel-frame construction, which provides more structural support than a typical shipping container. The steel frame is fitted with a waterproof membrane, insulation, and a vapor barrier. These containers can easily be stacked and joined to form larger structures. The interiors are often finished with drywall, carpet, and other standard building materials.
How Does an Expandable Container House Work?
Container houses are prefabricated, which means they’re built in a factory and then transported to your property for quick installation. Container houses are usually built from standard shipping containers, which are modified to include things like plumbing and wiring. This makes them ideal for modular construction, as the containers can be joined to create larger buildings. Container houses can be stacked or connected side by side to create multi-story structures. You can even build a single-story structure with multiple containers. Many expandable container houses utilize multiple shipping containers for added stability. Modular structures can be expanded easily, which makes them ideal for growing families or growing communities. Since many modular structures are built from used containers, expandable container houses are also a great option for eco-friendly homeowners.
Why Are Expandable Container Houses So Affordable?
Container houses are more affordable than new construction due to their lower costs of materials, specialized labor, and reduced building time. Cost savings are possible with expandable container houses because they are modular and can be built in a factory. The construction process for an expandable container house is similar to that of a traditional home. The only difference is that the expandable container house will often use a steel frame, which is more expensive than a wood frame but more durable, fire-resistant, and sustainable.
Benefits of an Expandable Container House
Expandable container houses are an affordable and eco-friendly way to add space to your home. These modular structures can be expanded as your family grows or your living situation changes. Container houses are also cost-effective and quick to build, making them a smart choice for growing communities and developers looking to add affordable housing to a neighborhood. Container houses also have built-in resiliency against natural disasters. They are lightweight and can be moved easily if necessary. Additionally, they are more resistant to floods, storms, and earthquakes than traditional homes thanks to their steel frames. If you’re interested in expanding your current home, an expandable container house is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to renovations.
What to Know Before You Commit to an Expandable Container House?
Expandable container houses are made from used or new shipping containers and can be modified to meet your needs. This makes expandable container houses a sustainable option, although you’ll need to factor in the cost of retrofitting a used container to meet your needs. You also need to consider the initial cost of acquiring a shipping container, which can vary greatly depending on the size and condition of the container. Container houses are modular and can be expanded as needed. For this reason, you’ll likely need to hire a contractor to design your expandable container house. This can add significant upfront costs to the project and may require a larger initial investment than standard home renovations.