September, 10 2024
As noted in a recent article by realestate.com.au, the popularity of shipping container homes in Australia continues to climb – and for good reasons! From lower building costs to shorter construction time, more and more people are now seeing shipping containers as a viable option.
There are many reasons people are choosing tiny homes over traditional houses. Some want the freedom to live anywhere or travel freely like they would if they towed a caravan (as many shipping container homes can be put on trailers), while others want to add a new or secondary accommodation to their existing property.
Like any investment, a shipping container home has its pros and cons. So, if you’re interested in making the switch, this article will provide some expert guidance to help you make the best decision.
A shipping container home is a living space constructed from one or multiple actual sea shipping containers (note that some expandable prefabricated homes are constructed to look like a container but not built from a sea container, hence does not offer the same structural integrity).
Although compact, these structures come with designated living spaces, as well as utility connections and various other components. These homes are either pre-fabricated to lock-up or turn-key stage.
At Sonic Steel, all of the homes are custom-designed and built to comply with the BCA/ NCC by Australian professionals with experience in architecture, fabrication and engineering. It is this expert knowledge that sets them apart from other companies that are purely construction-oriented.
Often, each house is designed based on the client’s brief and ideas, the site where it is to be built, and the budget while meeting the Building Code of Australia requirements. From room sizes down to the location of power points, Sonic Steel container homes are built to suit your lifestyle and provide a better living experience.
With this in mind, let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of buying a shipping container home.
What are some of the pros of investing in shipping container homes?
The final cost of shipping container homes isn't always the same and depends on many considerations; however, they are significantly more affordable than conventional builds when comparing similar features and inclusions.
Many can be purchased for under $150,000, and are usually of higher quality than a conventional home in terms of comfort and durability, and don't need as many building supplies or manpower. After all, the walls, flooring, and roofs are already in place, so you don't need to worry about the framework.
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective living arrangement, you could transition to a prefabricated container home and bypass expensive construction costs. The site preparation and foundation are the only extras affecting the overall cost. Sonic Steel works with Great Escape Finance and other asset finance lenders, which specialises in Tiny Home lendings.
Sonic Steel container homes offer great structural stability and endurance in all weather conditions. Made from Corten Steel, they are waterproof, sturdy, and designed to carry heavy loads through rough oceanic conditions.
What about the paint? Marine-Grade exterior paint is formulated specifically for our container homes and is guaranteed to last longer than 15 years. For the interior, Sonic Steel uses Taubmans Endure on fibre cement claddings to offer a superior, easy-wash finish, protecting homes against mould growth, mildew and bacteria.
Sonic Steel uses block-moulded polyurethane panels instead of cool room (EPS) panels, conventional batts, or spray foam for insulations. Their polyurethane (PUR) is among the best thermal insulators, and CNC cut to the same profiles as the wall panel's corrugations.
Do you like to put the environment first in everything you do? Building a container home reduces the use of building materials such as wood and brick, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. Container home materials are reusable and a more sustainable building method, so they will not be wasted in landfills.
Sonic Steel container homes are also energy efficient. Their Heat Recovery Ventilation System retains up to 85% of thermal energy and supplies fresh, filtered air in exchange for stagnant air. On a cold winter night, not only can you stay warm, but you can also enjoy ventilated air from only 8W of power.
The HRV System also maintains humidity levels by removing moisture produced by cooking, washing, and simply breathing. It’s ultimately reducing the load on your air conditioner and giving you a comfortable space to live in.
Instead of waiting over six months for a home to be built, a shipping container home already has most of its components to form a shell.
Experienced contractors can often complete your tiny home in less than a month and fabricate it off-site, meaning they are built faster and simultaneously as site preparations to shorten building time. You can request adjustments or alterations at the production site. Off-grid container home options are available on toilet types, solar systems, battery sizes, and more.
Sonic Steel takes about 8 - 10 weeks to build a standard 40-foot model, excluding the design process.
Do you need a compact, portable granny flat or home office space? A shipping container home has many options for customisation and shipping container modifications:
The Mark III is a two-bedroom configuration of a 40ft High-Cube that features a full kitchen, bathroom, study area, a main double bedroom, a home office or workspace that can be turned into another bedroom, and more features such as:
Sonic Steel also offers DIY options for builders or DIY enthusiasts who love a hands-on approach! Offering a lock-up stage, the welded window and door frames, as well as insulation, are already handled. The process can be customised depending on the level and stage of finish that suits you!
As shipping containers have steel frames especially engineered for travelling in comparison to traditional homes, they stay intact during transport, and you can take them anywhere across the country, or even moving off the grid!
What are some cons to container homes that you need to consider?
If a container home is from a low-quality (and unreliable) builder, the containers may have previously been used to transport chemicals or toxic goods.
When searching for a tiny home to live in, whether for business or permanently, you want to look for single-trip containers—also called new builds—which transport goods for one trip: from the manufacturer to the builder. If cargos are only limited to dry and non-perishables such as furniture or white goods, container homes will always be in excellent condition.
Sonic Steel only uses new build containers for all home projects to ensure the best air quality and appearance.
Because a container home has limited width and fully welded corrugated metal walls, insulation is trickier than a normal home, so you would want to keep this in mind. This is exactly why Sonic Steel developed their very own state-of-the-art VenSulation System.
Shipping container homes must be well insulated as the interior temperature and humidity can lead to condensation (a precursor to mould growth), so moisture must not come into contact with the internal metal surface.
Block-moulded PUR panels are cut into the same profile as the metal wall to fill in the corrugations, followed by flat 70mm PUR panels. This is a vapour barrier between the container wall and the interior space. For more insight, you can have a look at the innovative insulation systems!
You also don't need to worry about leaks, as the container’s roof is designed to be slightly curved, with all joints fully welded and watertight. Instead of facing rust due to damaged second-hand containers that have low points where water can collect over time, new containers eliminate this problem.
Planning regulations in VIC, NSW, QLD, and SA for a container home or a home on wheels vary depending on the council and state. However, the general rule of thumb is that habitable structures intended for permanent occupation require a building permit or compliance certificate.
You would need to research and check with your local council on a case-by-case basis. If you require assistance, feel free to contact your tiny home contractors!
Whichever you decide to build, choose a builder that abides by the Building Code of Australia and local council regulations. In Victoria, no council approval is needed for a small second dwelling in most cases, if all conditions are met.
Sonic Steel custom design and build their projects in Melbourne and deliver across Australia. All builds comply with the BCA and many have been approved by the councils as class 1a structures.
No ordinary contractor can assemble a tiny home, so you want to ensure you've found builders with extensive experience and knowledge in container home design. A contractor who understands the ins and outs of a container home can:
What shipping container designs can you choose from? There are many layouts at Sonic Steel!
If you’re looking for a home office or a self-sufficient living space, the Mark II is 20ft in length and not limited by size! It is a cost-effective option to maximise your land use as a granny flat or backyard office.
The Mark IV has a double/queen bedroom, full kitchen, an open-bathroom layout, and a lounge with all the utilities needed to make it a home! This container home also includes Sonic Steel’s VenSulation System and underfloor insulation.
If you’re looking for a container home that ticks all the boxes for superior insulation, proper ventilation, a premium finish and a practical design, the Mark VI is beautifully designed. This features a double bedroom, a full kitchen with a breakfast bar, a spacious bathroom and laundry, and a utility department!
Do you want to start designing your dream relocatable container homes? From gorgeous 40-foot shipping container designs to one-bedroom configurations or prefabricated container homes, Sonic Steel has a wide range of designs for alternative living! Check out their past projects and request a quote today.
Ready to make the switch? At Sonic Steel, we’ve been setting the pace for innovative modular home design for a decade and counting. Starting as a container repair and maintenance service provider, we’ve grown into a go-to manufacturer and supplier of shipping container homes in Australia.
Whether you’re hoping to achieve a sustainable living solution for a family in need or a commercial space for your coffee business, we are passionate about shipping container houses, creating quality, and making a difference.
Contact us today or visit us (by appointment) in Brooklyn, Melbourne, call us at 0431 059 331 or email equiry@sonicsteel.com.au.
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