Homeownership allows you the freedom to go all out when it comes to renovating, remodeling, and rejuvenating your property. From minor redesigns of your home’s interior to top-down renewals of your landscaping, hardscaping, and outdoor living spaces, there are countless ways you can make your home truly feel like yours. One popular choice that many homeowners have turned to is the use of, believe it or not, shipping containers! That’s right—shipping container homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become immensely popular in recent years.
As expert construction contractors and designers ourselves, we‘d like to use this blog (and our many years of experience working with shipping container homes) to tell you a bit about how this rise in popularity came to be. But first, let’s start with the basics.
What Are Shipping Container Homes?
Shipping container homes are practically just what they sound like; they’re homes that are constructed primarily using industry-grade shipping containers. The shipping container homes that we design typically require between four and eight containers, which are then stacked like LEGOs to set the foundation for the body of your home. Then, of course, all the residential necessities are built into and around the shipping containers themselves. From beautiful and functional siding choices to the addition of balconies, decks, and staircases, these unique homes are just as customizable as your standard wood and concrete homes!
So—Why Shipping Containers?
The question on most peoples’ minds at this point is: why choose shipping containers over more traditional home construction materials? Well, there are more reasons than you might expect. For example, shipping container homes offer a unique aesthetic appeal that will help differentiate your home from those in your neighborhood and make passersby look on with awe.
But that’s far from all!
They’re Quick to Construct
First and foremost, shipping container homes are quick to assemble and build around. Because they are all prefabricated and designed to be easily transportable, the construction process is far more streamlined than your average residential construction project. Likewise, the time it takes to actually acquire the materials is far faster, too, as shipping containers are widely used all around the world.
They Are an Environmentally Sustainable Option
Oftentimes, the shipping containers that are used for homes and ADUs are repurposed after a lifespan of use as actual shipping containers. This means that you can minimize the amount of raw materials used for the construction of your new home. Moreover, it means that you’re also reducing the total amount of waste that construction projects often generate.
They’re Immensely Durable and Long-Lasting
As you might imagine, shipping containers are built to the highest industry standards. These containers help safely transport goods around the world and, as such, need to be tough enough to survive the trials of such long journeys. So, how is this done?
Well, shipping containers are manufactured using corten steel, which is also sometimes referred to as “weathering steel.” This steel alone is enough to make shipping containers a long-lasting option for home construction. However, they also provide one more exciting benefit. This weathering steel uniquely rusts over in a way that forms a tough protective layer that helps slow the rate at which future corrosion can occur and damage the steel.
They’re Cost-Effective Depending on Your Needs
Seeing as shipping containers are so widely available, it only makes sense that they are an affordable alternative to traditional residential constructions. Not only will you be saving money on the construction materials themselves, but since the construction completion time is much shorter, you’ll also be saving money on the manual labor required to finish the project.
They Encourage Creativity
Last but not least, all of the above benefits mesh together to encourage an unprecedented level of customization. Because the construction of these shipping container homes is so streamlined, it’s a lot easier to try out bold architectural ideas or expand your living space later on after the initial construction is completed.
As you can see, it only makes sense that shipping container homes are becoming more and more popular. But where did this trend even begin?
Their Rise in Popularity
Though the first modern shipping containers in the United States were designed and constructed around the mid-1950s, the first two-story shipping container home to be approved by the government (under the current building codes of the day) wasn’t until 2006! However, since that approval, shipping container homes have exploded in popularity here in the US, especially as homes and ADUs.
Shipping container construction is also used for more than just residential architecture. From food trucks and small storefronts to expansive retail spaces and concert venues, shipping containers continue to find new uses across an expanding diversity of industries.
Where to Find Quality Shipping Container Home Construction Contractors
Across the board, shipping containers are constructed to meet the high standard required of international maritime trade. However, that doesn’t mean that all shipping containers are made equal. Nor does that mean any run-of-the-mill construction contractors and designers can handle the project. That means you need a team of professionals that you can trust if you’re looking into shipping container homes in Minnesota—a team like Paragon Designs.
We have countless years of combined experience sourcing high-quality shipping containers for our shipping container home construction. Likewise, we have a knack for approaching each project with a creative eye that helps each property we work on transform into something truly unique. Don’t just take our word for it; feel free to check out some of our recent shipping container home constructions.
Speak to Paragon Designs About Your Future Shipping Container Home
If you’re ready to start with a brand new home construction or a shipping container ADU addition, you can reach the Paragon Designs team by calling us at 320-298-2421. Alternatively, you can head to our Contact page and fill out the simple online form. We look forward to helping you design a home you can be proud of for years to come!
