A modern day pioneer is doing some interesting work in Alpine, Texas.?The builder is living off the grid and building an interesting live/work space of storage containers.
A couple years ago, he built a tiny house, which is powered by 270 watts of solar and four 100-watt small wind turbines.?Now, the builder?s current project is the construction of a live/work space made from four 20-foot shipping containers.? He hopes to finish his 1,600 square-foot space for less than $20,000 and has some helpful pointers for others looking to take on a container project.
Here are 10 things to consider if you?re thinking about using storage containers in your next project:
1. Even with all the hype, containers are difficult to obtain and expensive to ship long distances, buy locally. In the state of Arizona, AZ Containers has a location in Phoenix and Flagstaff. They will deliver.
2. Fill out your info on their website for a competitive quote.
3. The price for a 20? shipping container can range from around $2000 and up depending on the condition.
4. Containers provide an extremely secure storage structure which requires a blow torch or dynamite to break into, and they are too heavy to walk off with.
5. AZ Container will delivery by tilt bed roll off truck. A 20? shipping container weighs almost 5,000 lbs.
6. Rust is the only natural predator that can harm a shipping container, so don?t scrimp on a good paint job.
7. These metal monsters become ovens or freezers depending on the outside temperature, really good insulation and ventilation is a MUST! AZ Containers has all types of modifications. Visit https://azcontainers.com/modifications
8. The real bonus to using a storage container is the new green phrase ?adaptive reuse.? Our trade deficit with the rest of the world is causing these to pile up in our country.
9. If you are going to use one for a structure, stay true to the form. Don?t cover the exterior with other building materials ? show it for what it is.
10. While searching the web for how containers are being used, most sites either show computer renderings, and actual completed structures that have also been built. We would recommend consulting an architect for this type of investment.
For additional information regarding our storage containers for rental or sales, contact Rolando @AZ Containers at 602-723-9608.