Storage Container Home Myths Debunked by Professional Suppliers

Converting shipping containers into homes, garages, offices, workshops and retail spaces has been extremely popular over the last 20 years. As we know, with increased popularity comes a flood of (mis)information on the internet that is not always accurate or helpful to those interested in converting their container. To help our consumers, East Coast Containers, a highly regarded shipping container supplier, has outlined 5 common container home myths and identified why each of them are false.  

5 Common Shipping Container Home Myths Debunked

Myth: All Shipping Container Homes are Eco-Friendly

Debunked: This is the #1 shipping container home myths we hear on a daily basis. Unfortunately it is not true if you plan on building with a new storage container. If your goal is to lessen your environmental impact, building a home with used containers is the best way to achieve that goal.

Myth: They’re Too Hot/Too Cold to Live in

Debunked: Since the containers are constructed with heavy-duty metal they get extremely hot and cold in the direct sunlight/frigid temperatures. However, when you convert them into a home, you’ll add all the comforts of insulation, air conditioning and heat. This ensures they remain temperature-controlled all year long.

Myth: Construction is Complex

Debunked: The complexity of constructing a home using shipping containers depends on your design. We always recommend working with a professional contractor who has experience constructing homes out of containers. Construction for a single story container home is much simpler than when you start joining/stacking them.

Myth: All Container Homes are Cheaper than Traditional Housing:

Debunked: While your initial cost upfront might be less expensive ($2,500 – $4,700 per unit), there are many other factors to consider that increase the price significantly. Since the container is the just the framework of the home, your design aesthetic is really what will determine the final cost of the project.

Myth: Shipping Container Homes are Tiny

Debunked: Many people lump “tiny homes” and shipping container homes in the same category, but they are not. Again, the container just provides the shell of the house and can be expanded upon in many ways. We’ve seen simple 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom homes all the way up to container homes with 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, outdoor space and a pool!

Pros/Cons of Building with Shipping Containers

When thinking about building a home using shipping containers there are many pros and cons to consider. We hope our debunking of some of the major storage container home myths has eased your mind and made the process easier to navigate. If you’re ready to take the first step in building your dream home with storage containers, East Coast Containers makes the process of buying shipping containers online easy and affordable!