Prefabricated Container Homes vs. Shipping Container Homes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between container and prefab? ›

Prefab homes are made for quick setup, with most parts, including fixtures, ready to go. Container homes need more work to become cosy spaces, like adding insulation and windows. Prefab homes are built strong, often with steel frames.

According to HomeGuide, the average cost to build and install a container home is $25,000 to $250,000. While that's no small chunk of change, it's significantly less than you'd expect to pay for a traditional house in most parts of the country.

It's remaining stationary so it won't accumulate the same levels of wear and tear as those containers. As long as you take the right precautions, your shipping container home should last for 25 years or more.

Many prefab buildings lack the stability and longevity that modular structures offer. They tend to develop more problems and do not remain as energy efficient. While they are better for the environment during development and assembly, it is not as eco-friendly to live or work in these prefab buildings.

Why? Mass-produced materials on an assembly line cut down costs because factories buy supplies in bulk. The cost of labor is also less because you don't have to send carpenters, plumbers, and electricians to individual construction sites. And a faster build time saves money too.

When maintained properly, a shipping container can last upwards of 25 years or longer. The lifespan depends on the condition of the container and the environment in which it is kept. Although they are built to resist harsh climates, its' lifespan can be cut short by wetter, saltier climates.

This means that the interior of the container stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, without the need for extensive heating and cooling systems. In addition to the natural insulation provided by the steel construction, container homes can also be outfitted with additional insulation.

The shipping container shortage could probably be better described as a logjam. Shipping container production has been at record levels in 2020 and 2021, but very few of those containers have made their way to the resale market because shipping lines have so much demand for freight.

Tiny homes are designed to be portable and can be moved from one location to another. Container homes can also be moved, but they are typically less portable than tiny homes due to their size and weight. ADUs are generally not portable, as they are built on a specific piece of property.

Do shipping container homes rust? ›

The biggest risk to shipping container home longevity is rust. Rust-resistant paint can ward this off, but even if the structural integrity of the corrugated sides is threatened, these may be replaced without altering the home's frame.

It is also influenced by the efficiency of the planning stage. This stage typically encompasses tasks such as budget allocation, initial design, gathering site-specific information, and material selection. A standard shipping container home project could take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete.

Shipping container homes can be more expensive to insure than traditional homes. This is because they are made out of steel, which is a more volatile material than wood or bricks. Limited supply. Shipping containers can be difficult to find, because there is only a limited supply of them available.

In hot climates, particularly in the summer, shipping containers can easily reach more than 100 degrees. So, to keep the inside cool and keep your contents safe, you'll need to plan ahead. There are plenty of inexpensive and efficient ways to keep your shipping container cool.

Shipping container homes are durable but may lack the longevity that traditional houses have. A custom container home can last 25–30 years with proper maintenance, but a standard home generally lasts much longer than that, especially considering homes are passed down generations and still stand the test of time.

Simply put, off-site built homes are constructed inside a facility and then transported to the home site for final assembly. You may also hear them called “prefabricated” or “prefab” homes. Types of prefabricated homes include manufactured, modular and mobile homes.

These prefab structures are self-contained and assembled offsite, ready for immediate use once transported to their final location. In a way, shipping container architecture can be considered a form of modular building. This is because multiple containers can be configured to form a building structure.

Kit homes are essentially mail-order houses and are a type of prefabricated (prefab) home. Kit houses are delivered in parts by a manufacturer and built on your property either by yourself or a hired contractor.

Building a shipping container home typically requires less labor than building a traditional house, which can result in lower overall construction costs. Additionally, performing the work yourself can save money compared to using specialized container home builders.