So, you’re thinking about purchasing a container home or even building your own out of repurposed containers.
That is fantastic!
First, though, let’s get rid of a few of those misconceptions you see kicking around the internet.
Container House Misconceptions
It’s so small!
• Yes, a container house is small, and some of us are looking for a home like that. We don’t want 3000 square feet. We might not even want 300 square feet.
You can’t build on it!
• That is a huge misconception. Container houses are made from the rectangular shipping containers that the world relies upon to ship items. If you’ve ever seen images of shipyards or freight yards, you’ll notice the stacks of containers, one on top of the other. And you can do that too. Whether you’re building the house yourself, or if you’re paying a contractor, you can build up and out. The containers can be connected and reinforced, so you can have the home you want.
There’s no way to insulate it!
• This one has always struck me as bizarre. You can insulate anything. True, you’ll lose a lot of room in your container house if you put three inches of insulation on every wall. But you don’t have to do that. Especially if you’re going to be living in a temperate zone. Insulation companies have developed thin-coat, spray-on insulation that effectively – and affordably – helps to weatherize your home.
Your limited with electricity!
• Okay, it’s not the 1800s, and we’re not rubbing sticks together to make a fire here. We are a society with rapidly evolving technology that allows us to live off the grid if we want. You don’t need to be near a power line to get electric. Solar power has come a long way since its origins, and you can install high-power batteries to store energy for a literal rainy day.
• If someone tries to argue that you can’t wire your container home properly, show them a picture of a dollhouse. When they ask why, explain to them that if someone can run wire through a dollhouse so that every light and outlet in the miniature building works, then you’re positive that a licensed electrician can run some wire for your television and a desk lamp.
Why A Container House is a Good Idea
Purchasing a pre-fabricated container house, or buying the raw materials and doing it yourself, is a fantastic idea. You’re limiting your footprint on the planet, which means you’re taking up less space. You know that you don’t need massive amounts of square footage to be happy.
Since the home is small, you’ll need less money for upkeep and for basic utilities. The building can be purchased for a fair price, and you can do an amazing amount to it. Remember, your new container home is made from steel, and steel stands up to a lot of abuse.
I hope we’ve cleared up a few of the common misconceptions about container homes, and that you’ll do what’s right for you.
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