As finding a house at a reasonable price stays troublesome, and more people start to think about the environment, a few innovative architects thought of a creative idea—shipping containers for homes. They are economical and cool to live in. However, they generally come in two sizes, either 20 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet. So, you might wonder, does the size of your container home matter?
Shipping Container homes offer many benefits. For instance, they are often faster to build than conventional houses and less expensive. In addition, both 20- and 40-feet containers are suitable for home structure. You can likewise use both sizes for combination, depending on your necessities.
Living small is about being creative and minimalist. If you are not into using furniture for storage and living pretty intimate, we advise choosing the bigger but more expensive option of 40 feet containers.
To help you decide which container size is best for you, we made an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of both sizes. Hopefully, this will help you to make a well-considered decision. Read through to get more familiar with living in container homes!
You may like to read more of our Container Living articles, just click the link.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a 20 Feet Shipping Container
Advantage 1: Mastering storage space and living more efficiently
Living in 20 feet by 8 feet is all about maximizing storage. A few examples are having your dining table fold up and down from the wall and making an extra space inside your sofas to store items. Every space will be utilized, forcing you to get organized and creative. Therefore, living in a container home of this size is not for you if you are not into being creative with using furniture for storage. Everything has to do double duty. By the by, if you are up for the challenge, this is a fantastic way to clean up and live original!
Disadvantage 1: You will be de-cluttering – a lot!
We all love the idea of saving the planet and living economically until we need to toss out 90% of our current furniture. If you consider living small, know that most of your belongings will not fit, especially at 20 feet by 8 feet which is 160 square feet of living space.
Advantage 2: You save money
You can buy a container home for as low as $10,000. They are more cost-effective than traditional housing since they need fewer building materials and labor to develop. Moreover, you can bring down the expense of your container housing by renovating it and using your DIY skills.
Container homes commonly cost less to run than traditional homes, regardless of where you live. This is because you will not use the same measure of lighting, heating, cooling, water, and the wide range of various things that come with a big traditional house. Furthermore, if you are smart, you will use natural resources. For instance, you can power your home from the sun and save on energy bills.
Disadvantage 2: Plumbing
Plumbing is a significant issue in container houses, especially in container houses that are 20 feet by 8 feet. This size is very limiting and can rapidly be consumed by plumbing. Moreover, because of the small size of the bathroom, toilets in container homes can sometimes be right close to the shower head. And, at last, consider whether you can deal with a toilet near each and every area of your home. It’s pretty intimate.
Living in a 20 feet container is equivalent to living in a big house, but only in the living room. The 20-foot containers are 160 square feet, while the 40-foot shipping containers offer 320 square feet of living space. Assuming you don’t mind leaving most of your furniture and personal things behind, this is something for you! It is no question a unique experience!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a 40 Feet Shipping Container
Advantage 1: They are fast to build
Many companies can build a shipping container home in less than a month. But, be that as it may, employing a professional to make your container home can be expensive. To stay away from construction costs, buy a pre-assembled container home from a developing list of companies gaining valuable experience in building container homes off-site.
Disadvantage 1: They often need reinforcements.
While house containers are made of strong steel, you can compromise it with specific changes—for example, cutting openings for an entryway or huge windows. Moreover, while these containers can usually withstand certain weather conditions, for instance, the weight of heavy snow, certain modifications, like cutting holes for windows, can cause the roof to bow under the weight of snow if the corner castings are not strong enough. In this situation, you will need to hire a contractor to reinforce load-bearing walls or install a sloped rooftop, which costs extra money.
Advantage 2: You can make them look as you want
Container homes are not difficult to adjust. For instance, you can construct a house with a combination of 20-and 40-foot containers. You can likewise combine a few different containers to make a bigger home with a living room, dining room, additional rooms, or even a second floor.
Disadvantage 2: Getting building permits can be hard
Living in container homes is moderately new, so getting the required permits to construct your container house in certain regions can be troublesome. Nonetheless, a few places in the United States (counting Texas, California, Colorado, and Oregon) and abroad (counting China, New Zealand, and Costa Rica) host shipping container homes and have regulations in place. Ask your local city planning office for more data about construction regulations, zoning restrictions, and permitting requirements for container housing.
Do Shipping Container Homes Rust?
Since container homes are put together with metal, there is the likelihood that they might rust. Some shipping containers are at first fabricated with alloys; a process generally referred to as enduring steel or corten steel. This process helps to form a surface level of rust that prevents the chance of further corrosion. The climate where the container is located determines whether a shipping container home will rust as wet and dry environments affect shipping containers differently.
How Long Does A Shipping Container Home Last?
Container homes should endure no less than 25 years and significantly longer, assuming they are well maintained and protected from the weather. Rust is the biggest issue that can decrease the life expectancy of a container home. Therefore, inspecting your shipping container and looking for rust spots is critical. Any tricky spots should be dealt with and fixed to prevent rust from spreading.
Conclusion
Deciding between living in a twenty feet or forty feet container is up to you. The advantages and disadvantages are similar. However, as you probably know, the bigger container will be more spacious. Therefore, in my humble opinion, this would be a better option, especially for couples or families.
When it comes to shipping container homes, the size of the container does matter. Whether you choose a 20ft or 40ft shipping container will depend on your needs, budget, and design preferences.
Here are some factors to consider before you go:
- Space: A 40ft container provides twice the space of a 20ft container. This may be important if you need more living space or plan to use the container for multiple purposes (such as a home and a workspace).
- Cost: A 40ft container will cost more than a 20ft container, both in terms of the container itself and the cost of shipping and handling. You may also need to factor in additional costs for modifications, such as insulation and windows.
- Transportation: A 20ft container is easier to transport and maneuver than a 40ft container. If you have limited space for delivery or live in an area with narrow streets, a 20ft container may be a better option.
- Design: The size of the container will affect the layout and design of your home. With a 40ft container, you have more room to work with and can create larger rooms or separate living areas. With a 20ft container, you will need to be more creative with your design to make the most of the available space.
Ultimately, the decision between a 20ft and 40ft shipping container will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider your budget, space limitations, and design ideas before making a final decision.
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