Tag: tiny house container

Container houses are growing in popularity as they are an inexpensive housing option. Traditionally, container houses have been used as emergency shelters, but now they are a sustainable housing solution. You will find multiple builders offering tiny house containers at TinyHouseMe. We simplify the search for quality container homes and ensure you get competitive prices on the best models. The only thing is that the container home must be modified to make it liveable. Here, the biggest challenge is the insulation of the container home. Whether you have to deal with the Texas summer or the frigid Minnesota winters, a well-insulated container home will keep the place cool in summers and warm during winters.

Why does the tiny house container need insulation?

You must insulate the container houses if you want an energy-efficient and comfortable living space. Here are a few challenges you might face if you do not insulate the container home.

Condensation – Your container home will feel like a tropical rainforest if not protected with insulation. The container home will behave like a cold can of beer left out on a hot day – which means condensation occurs and water vapor travels through the framed walls just like water through the submarine’s screen door. This moisture results in mold and, subsequently, rust on the surface of the container home.

Radiate heat and cold – Metal container homes are excellent conductors of cold and heat. Winters can turn your container home into an icebox without insulation. Similarly, the scorching summer heat will make living inside container homes unbearable with excess heat and humidity.

Therefore, only with proper insulation your tiny house container can become a comfortable living space. Proper insulation can help you control moisture and will prove to be an energy-efficient solution in the long run.

How to insulate the container home?

To insulate the structure, you need to determine the class of container houses:

Cargo Container Homes are raw metal boxes, and if you intend for housing applications, they need on-site thermal insulation.
Customized Container Houses (CCH) are factory-insulated units, and there is not much you can do to improve thermal insulation. This is ideal as you get to purchase a good quality model from a trusted builder. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with several tiny home models across US and Canada offering quality tiny house container structures.

Here are 5 simple ways you can insulate the container home:

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray Foam insulation is one of the quickest and easiest ways to insulate a tiny house container home. It seals the air leaks effectively as the material is sprayed directly on the exterior and interior walls of the container. Spray Foam insulation also creates a moisture barrier as it fills up gaps in the wall. However, since all Spray Foam insulation is not created equal, you should choose a product with expansive properties that might come with a higher price tag. Again, due to the chemicals involved, professional installation is highly recommended.

Rigid Foam Insulation

Made from plastic like PUR (polyurethane), PIR (polyisocyanurate), polystyrene or fibrous materials like fiberglass, slag wool, or rock, Rigid Foam Insulation not only offers thermal protection but also serves as a moisture and air barrier. You can cut the panels of rigid foam insulation to fit them in the container’s floor, ceiling, and walls. It is relatively easy to install and offers excellent insulation. However, you should opt for materials with a high R-value and better thermal resistance.

Mineral Wool Insulation

Sourced from natural and renewable materials is Mineral Wool, which has a high R-value of 3.5 per inch. This fire-resistant material offers excellent thermal and sound insulation. You will find different varieties in the market, and some Mineral Wool materials come with natural condensation control, absorbing up to 35% of its weight in water without any alteration of its thermal performance.

Cotton Insulation

Natural and recyclable cotton-based insulation has an RV value of 3.5 per inch, similar to traditional fiberglass insulation. The cotton insulation material is derived from used jeans and other clothing materials. This commercial denim insulation is also treated with boric acid and is fire-resistant. This insulation is VOC-free, but the only downside is that you might require a vapor barrier.

Cork Insulation

When discussing natural insulation alternatives, Cork, a biodegradable resource derived from trees, is worth mentioning. Cork trees do not need to be cut to harvest the Cork–just the bark of the trees is harvested every nine years. It is lightweight, easy to install, and has excellent acoustic properties.

Final Words

Depending on the insulation you choose, prepare a vapor barrier to prevent moisture inside the structure that might cause damage. After the insulation is installed, cover the material to seal and maintain the integrity of the insulation. This cover can be drywall, plywood, or anything you deem suitable. However, it is necessary to check the local building codes and regulations before you start working on container insulation. It’s a good idea to consult a professional before undertaking such a task. Opt for customized container homes that come with factory-insulated units at competitive pricing. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with several tiny house container builders across the U.S. and Canada. Sign up now to book your appointment with a local builder today!

The most common question we are asked is how safe container homes are. Can a tiny house container stand up to the elements and natural disasters? Potential customers from Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama are unsure whether a container home can withstand forceful hurricane storms, tornados, and strong winds. The answer is yes. Container homes are designed keeping durability in mind and can survive weather extremities like earthquakes, hurricanes, and even wildfires. However, buying a tiny house container from a trusted builder is always recommended if you want hurricane-proof space. At TinyHouseMe, we simplify your search by helping you find 100s of tiny home sellers under one platform.

Can a container home withstand a hurricane?

Container homes can be used anywhere in the world and are suitable in every climate. This is because they are manufactured with the strongest building material like Corten Steel, weather–resistant steel. Corten Steel is a copper chromium alloy steel that ensures greater weather resistance than other alternatives.

So, what else makes a tiny house container strong and resilient? It’s the design. As discussed above, Corten Steel provides structural strength. The doors with watertight seals also ensure that moisture and dust cannot get inside. Moreover, the container homes on a foundation built by a trusted builder ensure that the structure can withstand strong winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

However, you also need to note that the more you cut the walls of the container home for doors and windows, the more unstable the structure becomes. Therefore, it is also essential that the container home is built as per the local building codes, for which you should get the structure designed by a trusted builder.

If the buildings in your location are prone to hurricanes, tornados, and heavy storms, then it’s advisable to take expert help to plan your container home.

Can the container home withstand a tornado?

A tiny house container is sturdy, durable, and can withstand wear and tear. However, many ask whether a container home can withstand a tornado.

A container home would withstand a tornado better than a traditional house. This is why container homes are often used in disaster-prone areas as emergency shelters. So, if you are worried that natural calamities will destroy your container home, you can relax, as that won’t happen. The framing of the container home and steel wall structure can offer better protection than traditional houses. However, there are a few important factors to consider when building a container home to avoid disaster. For instance, the container home must be properly anchored to withstand the storm, and the foundation needs to be secure and strong. 

Overall, the right construction techniques and design can ensure the tiny house container is safe and secure enough to withstand rough weather conditions.

Precautions you can take for the container home from incoming storms

Building a berm can ensure safety from incoming storms. When you build a berm, build in the direction of the storm to address wind speeds and stop any damage from flying debris. 

You can also bury the tiny house container completely or partially to protect the structure from storms and prevent damage. Of course, this method is not ideal as you have to sacrifice views and windows; but your home will surely be more protected.

The only point to note here is that burying a container home is not as easy as digging a hole and putting the structure inside. You need to reinforce the walls and take additional precautions, or else, the structure might collapse on you.

Choose hurricane windows or impact-resistant windows

Coastal areas or places prone to storms have container homes with impact-resistant or hurricane-proof windows. They are made of two or more panes of glass and are held jointly by interlayers of either polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Therefore, if at all the glass breaks, it develops a ‘spider web’ cracking instead of the glass shards flying all around.

Impact-resistant windows and doors can also block 99% of harmful UV rays, increase security and reduce noise. In addition, these windows allow natural sunlight even during a storm and thus improves energy efficiency.

What is the best way to protect a container home from hurricanes and storms?

The ideal way to secure a tiny house container is to mount the structure on a foundation. If you plan to get home on wheels, bolt the container to the foundation rather than welding it. There are some products that can help you to anchor and strap the home down on a foundation to provide an extra layer of protection from hurricanes and strong winds—for example, steel arrowed anchors, earth penetrators, bullet anchors, and so on.

However, taking expert advice is better, and that’s why signing up at TinyHouseMe is ideal. We offer you good advice on tiny homes and can help you connect with container home builders at a faster pace. However, if you are worried about your container home getting rusty, the next answer is for you.

Will container homes rust faster due to heavy storms?

Container homes last for many years in wet atmospheric conditions, but you need to check rust spots more often than you would like. The average lifespan of a container home is 25 years, and a used one will last only for ten years. However, there are many things you can do to increase lifespan and prevent rust.

Firstly, if you notice rust spots, treat them immediately because if it gets too late, sandblasting is necessary to remove the rust. First, all the rust spots need to be removed and cleaned, and then the metal should be painted and left to dry. Certain paints are rust-resistant and last for ten years or longer. You can also prolong its life by adding external cladding to container homes. Proper cladding lasts for decades and won’t get damaged by termites or rotting. High-quality cladding materials are rated to last for more than 50 years.

Final Words

When hurricanes have destroyed traditional homes, container homes are set up for disaster relief in certain areas, proving their strength against the weather elements. However, if you are looking for a good quality container home, you should meet with trusted tiny home builders before signing a contract. Join TinyHouseMe to connect with multiple tiny home builders now. We help you book an appointment with your matched builder at the earliest. Become a member now!

In recent years, the tiny house container has become extremely popular as it’s affordable and functional, making it a great alternative to traditional housing. However, although container homes are an economical choice, it is not easy to finance such a structure, which means it’s difficult to get a home loan for a container home. This is because many banks are not on board with alternative housing structures. However, things are changing, and getting a loan for the container house is fairly easy. Read on to learn more:

Preparations to get a loan for tiny house containers

Get a comprehensive plan: When you are attempting to finance the container home, you need to have a detailed plan laid out. This will help a lot with the loan officer and enable you in getting the loan you need for the container home financing. A detailed plan needs to have all the probable costs for materials and labor. This will define the home’s potential valuation, which can help when you offer collateral for it. However, you and the builder should work accordingly and develop a moderately precise cost projection; based on that, the loan amount will be decided, and you can kickstart the project.

Understanding the building codes: Almost every county, city, town, and municipality have a set of building codes that are different from one another. To get a loan, you need to understand the local building codes, as the lending institutions will surely want that you are fully aware of the regulations and ensure that you abide by them. At the county assessor’s office, you can get to know out more about the local building codes, and they will let you know if container house structures are allowed. Not all counties are open to tiny house container structures, and some have specific requirements. Learning about these is helpful before you attempt to get funding for the structure.

Speak to your builder and other container homeowners: Many builders offer financing solutions, so connect with them before you start searching for a lender. At TinyHouseMe, we connect you with innumerable tiny home builders, and you can easily find a trusted container home builder among them. In addition, many home builders offer flexible financing solutions that would be tailored for your convenience. However, if you want further help, the next step would be to talk to tiny home dwellers who have managed successfully to finance a loan for the tiny house container. This will aid you find banks willing to give you the loan, and you will avoid making mistakes by getting first-hand guidance. At TinyHouseMe, we provide helpful resources for financing your tiny home project. Sign up to know more!

Buy land first: Before you look for financing, get the piece of land ready. This shows your commitment towards the projects, and banks would be easier to convince for the loan. However, getting a loan for the land is also necessary, which again has a different procedure. You should not go for the same lending institution for land and tiny house container loans.

Ways to get a loan for the container home

Land and construction loan: Lenders offer you a loan for purchasing land and also constructing the container home. Not all lenders offer both these loans, and if the land is not cleared for a home or doesn’t have a permit, then you will need to pay for setting up the property.

Construction loan: If you already have land, you will qualify for a construction loan to get finance for the materials, labor, and the actual building of the home. Once you are through with the construction, you will have to pay back. Usually, people borrow another loan for paying back the construction loan.

Construction-to-permanent loan: Here, you get the loan for the construction, and when it’s through, the loan is converted into a permanent mortgage. If you prefer to buy a well-built container home that only needs to be transferred to your land, it gets financed as a manufactured home. This is a great thing, as you get plenty of financing options depending on the size of the structure and how permanent the home is. Professional advice from a lender or builder can help, so signing up at TinyHouseMe is highly recommended.

Conventional home loan: You can opt for a conventional home loan for the project, but this option is ideal only if the structure is an existing property (meaning one that’s already built and has been installed over a piece of land) or else you are buying a finished model after someone has made the upfront costs.

Conventional loans are very popular as they are widely available, and low-down payment options make them all the more attractive. 

As per mortgage reports, to qualify for a conventional loan, you need the following:

• 3% down payment if you are a first-time buyer
• A credit score of 620 or even higher
• 5% down if you are a repeat home buyer

However, since container homes are considered modular houses, there are strict lending guidelines, and you will get the funds released only after key milestones are reached. 

Conclusion

When you are looking for a tiny house container, then preparation is the key. Find builders who offer financing solutions, and you can connect with trusted ones via TinyHouseMe. We ensure you get a faster response and help you book an appointment with a builder of your choice at the earliest.

As housing prices are on the rise in the US, people are seeking alternative dwelling solutions like tiny houses, camper vans, mobile homes, and container houses. At TinyHouseMe, you connect with more than 100 tiny home builders across US and Canada. The tiny house container structures showcased on our platform are competitively priced and available directly from the builder. However, before you move ahead, you must determine whether you can have a tiny house container in your state.

Can you live in a container home in your state?

Legally tiny houses and container homes are allowed in every state in the US, but there are many details to observe at a regulatory level. First, there are a bunch of building codes. You should abide by zoning requirements and permissions to make the structure official. Every county, city, and town have its own set of rules and regulations, but at a glance, there are a few basic things that you need to maintain.

• Zoning code: The rules are city-specific and determine the use of land and the kind of structure that can be placed in the area. This is important for separating residential and industrial zones by maintaining zoning codes and regulations.
• Building codes and permits: This doesn’t only ensure legalizing the building of a container home but also defines the rules for any structure that will be placed on the property. The international Building Codes and the International Residential codes govern the local building codes in the US. The codes are different for mobile homes and modular structures, and the tiny houses need to be manufactured as per federal construction and safety standards.
• Homeowner association: The rules and regulations of HOA outline certain requirements that you need to maintain in the specific area.

Considering these statutory regulations, building codes, and restrictions pertaining to specific territories, some states in the US do allow tiny house container structures.

10 states that allow container homes:

Texas

It is one of the best states for tiny homes and container houses. Major cities like Fort Worth and Austin easily approve of building tiny house container structures. However, getting approval in rural and suburban areas is easier as there is plenty of space to live in a spacious tiny house container. Interestingly, Houston has no zoning laws within its city limits, but building rules are stricter in this region, which makes an off-grid lifestyle a better choice.

California

Being a progressive state, California is more open-minded to tiny houses, and it’s easier to live legally in a container home here. A iny house container is a residential unit or ADU in California, but it’s better to have the structure in the north and inland regions of the state. 

ADUs are additional dwelling units and are like detached single-family houses. It is an addition to the property as a primary living space and is commonly called in-law suites, granny flats, secondary suites, backyard cottages, and accessory apartments.

Louisiana

State-wise, there are neutral zoning laws in Louisiana that are intended to support better housing variety and diversity. Because of this, you can expect no governmental interference for your tiny house project in Louisiana. In addition, this state has no minimum wage, and it has been ranked as one of the topmost states in the USA for land freedom options. 

Oregon

Container homes are legal in Oregon, but the only restriction is that you might have to plan to live in this structure and design it as a single-family unit. However, if you are willing to purchase land, container homes are a great fit in this region. The state is quite progressive, and with no external interference, the alternative construction is a viable solution to many.

Missouri

The local zoning codes in Missouri view container homes as a great alternative to affordable housing. As a result, many tiny home dwellers in this state start living without acquiring a permit. The weather has warm summers and mild winters, which makes living in container homes comfortable. With this kind of weather, you do not have to spend much on insulting the tiny home, which again cuts costs when you build a container home.

Florida

No clear state-wide rules can prevent you from having a container home in Florida. However, you must have a permit and abide by certain regulations in your area before buying a container home from a trusted buyer. Although you can have a tiny house container in Florida, you must talk to the relevant authorities to get the permits and approval.

Alaska

Alaska has a low population, yet the terrain is expensive. However, the place is great for container homes as Alaska favors low-cost alternative housing, and you will find plenty of them in different parts of the state.

Minnesota

As long as the container homes comply with the building codes and you have a permit from the local authorities, this state will not have a problem. However, it’s advisable to check the zoning codes and building regulations before building the structure. The good news is that most building rules are liberal, and the government supports tiny house projects in the state. 

Massachusetts

Compared to other states, the laws in Massachusetts are relaxed and have a system of its own. It is a tiny home-friendly state and welcomes innovative design ideas for container homes.

Mississippi

Mississippi is a great location if you want a container home near the coastal area. The towns have great localities for building your container home, but you must check the government’s website before starting the project. However, Mississippi allows container homes, so we have kept it on the list.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have the list of states allowing container homes in 2023, the only thing left is to get started with buying a tiny house container. At TinyHouseMe, we have experts that will help you discuss the cost of the container home and also help you to finance the project. In addition, we showcase the most beautiful and functional container homes on our platform and help you connect with established and trusted builders across US and Canada.