Building your own home is one of the most exciting projects you can take on. Being able to create your dream home completely from scratch is something everyone dreams about. However, the money involved may have you looking at alternative types of housing. Deciding between a container home vs barndominium is a great place to start.
When deciding between a container home vs barndominium, you must consider every angle. While these home types have similarities, their differences are incredibly important. By understanding the different aspects of a container home vs barndominium, you can make the right decision.
Differences Between a Container Home vs Barndominium
Before you decide on a container home vs barndominium, you should know how they differ. A barndominium is a home built using the shell and frame of a post frame steel barn. These buildings use steel posts driven into the ground or a concrete slab that corrugated steel is then hung on. These buildings are usually reserved for agricultural or industrial purposes but can be turned into beautiful residences.
A shipping container home uses a steel shipping container as the main structure of the home. Because most of the structure is already built, there is a lot less to do during construction. Most of the home is already built once you have the shipping container in place. This can save you a lot of time and money on the construction of your home.
Benefits of a Container Home vs Barndominium
When deciding between a container home vs barndominium, knowing the benefits of each is important. When building a container home, you have the benefit of having most of the work already done. The main shape and structure of the building are already in place with the container. All you have to do is arrange the containers correctly and modify the interior to make the home livable.
The other benefit of building a container home vs barndominium is the fact that a container home is sustainable. When you use a recycled shipping container for your home, you are creating less waste. The materials don’t need to be produced, which is beneficial for the environment. With a barndominium, all the materials need to be manufactured, which can increase its carbon footprint.
Drawbacks of a Container Home vs Barndominium
While a container home vs barndominium has a lot of benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. When building a container home, for example, you are beholden to the shape of the containers. Shipping containers come in a few different sizes, but the shapes and dimensions are all very similar. This means that you may have to make compromises when it comes to design.
The other drawback of a container home vs barndominium is the fact that containers can be scarce. If you don’t have a reliable source for containers, you could have trouble finding the right one for your project. The lack of recycled containers could mean that you have to buy them new. This can be very expensive and could potentially negate the point of building a container home.
What to Consider When Choosing a Container Home vs Barndominium
Before deciding on a container home vs barndominium, you have to consider every aspect of the build. Depending on your needs and circumstances, one may be better for you than the other. Knowing what each of them entails and what you should think about will help you make the right choice. This way, you can start your project without second-guessing your decision.
Space Needs
The first thing you need to consider when choosing a container home vs barndominium is your space requirement. If you have a large family or want to build a roomy home, a container home may not be the right choice. While you can certainly combine containers, you will be confined to the dimensions of the containers. The length of containers will vary, but the width and height are generally uniform.
With a barndominium, you have a lot more options when it comes to the size of your home. Barndominium kits come in a wide variety of sizes and can be easily customized. This means that you can create your ideal custom home. Like a traditional home, you can make your barndominium into nearly any style or size to suit your needs.
Budget
Before you decide on a container home vs barndominium, you also need to think about the budget. A shipping container home is almost always going to be cheaper than a barndominium. This is because of the very small amount of work that needs to be done to get the structure off the ground. This will save you money on not only materials but also labor and construction costs.
When building a barndominium, you may pay quite a bit for the construction. This is because a barndominium has to be built just like a traditional home. While it is a much easier process, it still requires labor and money that you may not be able to spend. A container home vs barndominium is going to be a more budget-friendly option in general.
Material Availability
When deciding between a container home vs barndominium, you will also have to think about container availability. If you live somewhere that doesn’t have a place to get containers; you could be looking at trouble. The relatively low price of a container home is dependent on getting cheap containers. If you can’t find any, you may have to buy them new.
With a barndominium, the materials are much easier to come by. In fact, you can purchase a kit to build your home. In most cases, these kits can be delivered directly to your build site, and you can begin construction.
Conclusion
Knowing the differences between a container home vs barndominium is a great way to make the right choice. If you are going to build your perfect dream home, you need to know which one will be better for you. With the right information, you can make a good decision that will serve you well for many years.
If you would like more helpful guides like this one, be sure to check out the rest of ContainerHomeHub.com. There, you will find tips and tricks from the pros as well as featured container homes. These can help get you inspired and get you thinking about your ideal custom home.