Shipping container homes are becoming more popular every year, but some people aren’t convinced they’re suitable for all environments. What about those that live in an area with cold winters—can a shipping container withstand the weather?
Yes, Container Homes Can Handle the Winter Season
One of the most common myths about shipping container homes is that they get too hot or too cold, depending on the weather. While it’s understandable to think this—after all, a steel box can heat up and cool down quickly—container homes are suitable for all climates.
Like any home, a shipping container home requires some modifications to help it withstand the winter weather. Still, after these simple renovations, a container home will keep you and your household as warm as any other home. In some ways, a smaller container home is easier to heat in the winter because of its small and simple structure.
How To Keep Your Container Warm Over the Winter
If you have a shipping container home that you need to prepare for winter, we’ve got some helpful tips to ensure that you and your household stay warm when the cold and snow arrive for the season.
Insulation
Insulation is the most important factor in keeping a container home, or any home for that matter, warm when the temperature drops. Home insulation helps to trap heat, so it requires less energy to heat the home, making the home more energy-efficient and saving homeowners money.
The most common insulation for container homeowners is spray-foam insulation, which applies quickly and is affordable. But spray-foam insulation isn’t the most environmentally-friendly material, so other eco-conscious insulation materials some homeowners use are:
- Wool
- Cork
- Cotton/denim
- Cellulose
A Green Roof
Another insulation method that many container homeowners use is what’s called a green roof. Most of the heat in a home escapes through the roof, so having some insulation on the roof can better trap heat in a container.
A green roof is a sustainable insulation alternative where a layer of soil is installed over a waterproof system on a container’s roof. The dirt helps insulate the roof’s container and acts as a lovely rooftop green space for homeowners to enjoy by planting a garden or just relaxing on the roof.
Double-Glaze Windows
Many homes in regions with long and frigid winters utilize double-glazed windows, and it’s another effective strategy for container homeowners. Double-glazed windows are a wise choice for homeowners because they add another layer of glass between the outside and inside, reducing heat loss from windows.
Double-glazed windows help container homes be more energy-efficient, so during the fabrication phase of your container, consider double windows to save money during the winter.
Whether you live in an area with sweltering summers or frigid winters, a container home can keep you and your household as comfortable as any traditional home.
