Tiny homes or mini homes have gained popularity over the past few years. Aside from being economical for most people, these miniature houses can easily exude a modern and minimalist vibe that is trendy among real estate properties today. Creating a mini home does not need a lot of materials. In fact, one could repurpose scrap parts and recycled materials like a shipping container and convert it into a cozy mini home.
Using shipping containers is not just economical, it is also sustainable and environmentally friendly since you are basically recycling the thing already. Turning its steel structures into a small house is also more affordable compared to constructing a traditional home from scratch. So, if you want to know how to turn a shipping container into a mini home, here are a few steps you should take note of:
1. Develop A Mini Home Design
Before you start converting a shipping container into a tiny home, you have to first determine how you want your home to look like. To do this, you’ll need to create a design or blueprint. The design should show how the container shall be partitioned into different rooms and indicate the location of windows, doors, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
Your mini home design should also include flooring details, insulation, framing, waste management, plumbing, and electricity. For this, you may need to consult an expert (like an engineer or architect) that can help you out.
2. Prepare The Site
Preparing the site or location for your mini home is also an important step in the process. This includes creating a solid foundation, carving accessible pathways, and determining how the container would be raised from the ground up. You can either use steel plates, concrete slabs, piers, or strips for that. And if you are planning to use more than one shipping container to create a mini home, it is best to consult the experts.
3. Have Your Shipping Container Delivered
You might be wondering why this is just third on the list. That’s because it is more convenient to have a location and design ready before your shipping container gets delivered. If you don’t have an area ready for it, the container might just sit idly on your property and become a distraction.
But before you get a shipping container delivered, you must first purchase it from a reputable supplier like Royal Wolf, for example. When it comes to choosing a shipping container, you must select the type that is best suited for the design you have in mind. Aside from that, you have to inspect the container first to check for stains, rust, or unpleasant smells that might have lingered inside after being used by shipping companies.
If you are planning to use more than one container, you can request for them to be connected during delivery. The connection can be done using bolts, welding, or clamps. After that, you can have your contractor cut out the areas that are intended for doors, windows, and other parts of the house. This is the reason why you should have your design or blueprint ready.
4. Add Floorings, Frame, And Insulation
The floor of the shipping container is most likely treated with harsh chemicals. To keep that away, you can add another layer of flooring to the container. Adding a frame and covering the interior walls is also a good way to add a homey shape. Depending on the weather in your area, you’ll need to insulate the container using panels or spray foam. Insulation can also be done on the external parts of your shipping container to maximize space.
5. Paint And Decorate Your Mini Home
Give your mini container home a touch of personality and splash of décor before you move in. Some of the areas that you might want to pay attention to are the living room, bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Turning a shipping container into a mini home is not exactly an easy and straightforward process. While it does not entail a lot of work and costs compared to building a traditional family home, it would still require some attention to detail.
So, if you want the process to flow seamlessly, it is best to follow the steps above and avoid going around in circles. And if the work gets too overwhelming and technical, don’t hesitate to ask help from the professionals. They know what to do!