Over the last few decades, tiny homes have become a popular option for people who want to live more minimally and on their own terms. Believe it or not, shipping containers are the perfect shell to start building a tiny home.
But if you know even just a little bit about building, you’ll know that there are pros and cons to every material and design that you choose.
Here are five of the benefits of using a shipping container as the template for your tiny home:
- Repurposing is Eco-Friendly
- Shipping Containers are Watertight, Durable, and Weather-Resistant
- Shipping Containers are Affordable
- Shipping Containers are Secure
- Container Houses are Fast to Build
Now, let’s talk container tiny homes!
What is a Shipping Container Tiny Home?
A shipping container tiny home is a dwelling that is made out of steel shipping containers. Generally, shipping containers are available in two sizes, 20’ and 40’.
- 20-foot containers offer 160 square feet of space
- 40-foot offer 320 square feet of living space
Since shipping containers are a blank slate, you can use them as a standalone home or office, or you can combine multiple containers to create a multilevel home.
Building a Shipping Container Tiny Home
If you are planning on building a tiny home, a shipping container can be an affordable solution. They offer many benefits including:
#1. Repurposing is Eco-Friendly
If you want to build an eco-friendly home, reusing materials is the best way to do that. After shipping containers are used to ship goods across the ocean, they can be repurposed into tiny homes, mobile offices, storage spaces, and more!
By using decommissioned shipping containers as the shell of your tiny home, you are making a positive impact on the environment.
#2. Shipping Containers are Watertight, Durable, and Weather-Resistant
Because shipping containers are designed to withstand stormy seas and travel long distances, they are pretty indestructible. They are built from strong CORTEN steel and can withstand hurricane-force winds, flooding, and fires.
A shipping container won’t lose its strength, even if you stack multiple on top of each other.
#3. Shipping Containers are Affordable
One of the most alluring benefits of using a shipping container for a tiny home is the low cost of construction. When you choose a shipping container, you already have the basic framework for your home including the walls, roof, and floor and containers can easily be modified! You can even connect or stack multiple containers together for a unique and custom space.
#4. Shipping Containers are Secure
Since they are built from such strong steel, containers are hard to break into and will make a very safe home for you and your family.
When steel shipping containers were first used in the 1950s, the amount of stolen or lost cargo dropped significantly.
While we have never heard of a shipping container home that has faced a hurricane, we do know that shipping containers can withstand hurricanes better than other types of construction. We’ll leave it to you to decide!
While You Are Here > What Durable Materials are Shipping Containers Made From?
#5. Container Houses are Fast to Build
When using a shipping container as the base for your tiny home, you are essentially assembling it, not having to build it from the ground up. Since you already have the necessary structures in place, this drastically reduces the build time.
In many cases, shipping container homes are constructed off-site and then placed later. The best part? With a shipping container tiny home, you can easily relocate your house to a new location of your choice. You can’t do that with a traditional home!
Design Considerations
When designing a shipping container tiny home, consider some of these design ideas to maximize the space:
- Install glass doors or skylights to make the space look bright and open
- Cover the outside steel with reclaimed wood or shingles for a rustic look
- Consider adding a roof deck for lounging or rooftop gardening
- Add sliding doors to maximize the space
- Mount mirrors on the walls to make the space feel larger
- Use the walls for wall-mounted desks, TVs, and more!
- Get creative with color inside and out
- Install a spiral staircase
- Use LED lighting to save space and energy
Decorate it> Think Inside the Box: Decorating Your Shipping Container’s Interior
Live Your Best Life Inside the Box!
If you’d like to source shipping containers for your tiny home or mobile office project, you’ve come to the right place! We have plenty of 40-foot shipping containers on hand with more 20-foot containers on the way; perfect as the base for your tiny home build!
Though we don’t specialize in shipping container tiny home builds, we can help modify your container to include electricity, windows, flooring, plumbing, and more!
Get started on your tiny home project with A American Container. Call us for a quote today; 813-740-1911!
