Four Reasons Why Shipping Containers Make Wonderful Homes

Shipping containers are now breathing new life into the simple metal box by transforming into postmodern homes. And with today’s housing affordability crisis, urban density, and tight supply of developable land, it comes as no surprise that shipping containers are being widely hyped as an easy building alternative. But is that all there is to them?

Let’s take a quick look at some of the other reasons why shipping containers make wonderful homes.

Shipping container homes are inexpensive. Buying a used container and converting it to a house is more affordable for middle to low-income families than buying one in the cheapest areas of the city. A 600-square foot of living space, for instance, may cost $35,000 or less—and this already includes the price of the container, as well as the design and actual construction of your home.

Shipping container homes are easy to construct. Creating a container home is rather simple especially when you get a really good one from a reliable provider. With a bit of proper planning and creativity, anyone can pull off something truly wonderful. If you have the budget, you can hire a contractor to design it according to your needs and just do the job of setting everything up. On an average, shipping container homes take a couple of months to complete and be ready to be lived in.

Shipping container homes are safe and durable. Shipping containers are originally intended to carry heavy cargo, and so they are designed and built to be durable enough to endure rough and unpredictable weather conditions. And thanks to their sturdy framework, they are basically structurally sound against earthquakes, making them very safe.

Shipping container homes are rich in personal style. Shipping containers are so flexible, they can be transformed into practically any design you want. And you know what that means: it’s easy to incorporate your personal style into it. Building shipping container houses allows you to create the kind of home you have in mind—a home that reflects your exact personality; a home that makes you stand out from the lot.

Shipping container homes are eco-friendly. Using shipping containers to build homes lets you save on building materials like brick, mortar, and wood, which are all capable of damaging the surrounding environment during construction. And with just one container, you are able to save about 3500 kilograms of steel. No more recasting of steel (which requires a large amount of energy) because you can use them as they are.

A home is a place where you can feel comfortable and safe, and shipping containers can help you build one—one that also reflects you, your lifestyle, and the things you love. If you want to learn more about the wonders of shipping containers, here is a pretty nifty infographic from ContainerSpace, which will help you achieve just that.

From Visually.

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How to Care for Your Tile Floor

Many home owners choose tiles for their floors. This is mainly because they are water resistant and are easy to clean. Needless to say, tiles will also ear out in time and if they’re not care for appropriately. Keep your tiled floors looking great with these tips and tricks.

Source: UNSPLASH

Basic Maintenance
This involves the usual sweeping or vacuuming of floors to remove any dust or debris before using any cleaning products. Clean your tile floor using a damp mop at least once each week to decrease wear and abrasion from grit and soil. Do this more frequently for heavy traffic areas.

Tips for Preventing Damage
If you have to use scouring powders and sealants, test them on a small area before cleaning the full area. Use a sealer on grout joints shortly after installation and use products compatible with cleaning grout joints. After cleaning, rinse the entire area with clear water to remove any cleaning solution residue. In the event that tiles are broken or damaged seriously, don't remove them yourself as inexperienced hands can widen the extent of the damage. Let a qualified tile contractor do the job.

Things to Avoid
Acid or bleach based cleaners shouldn’t be used for routine maintenance. Avoid wax-based cleaners and oil-based detergents, and use sealants on grout joints only. Steel wool pads or any scouring pads containing metal shouldn’t be used on tile because they can hurt its quality.

Do invest in high-quality floor mats and protective pads under heavy furniture for an extra layer of protection to your tile floors. Place floor mats at entrances and exits. They collect and trap corrosive substances like dirt, sand, oil, grit, asphalt, or even driveway sealer that can be tracked in. Placing mats in high-traffic areas like in front of vanities, kitchen sinks, and stoves is an effective way to reduce tile wear.

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