Shipping containers are cool! They’re big, empty, uniform boxes that you can put things in, and, with a bit of elbow grease, turn into a livable space. You can call them Off-Grid Legos! What also makes shipping containers awesome is their portability. They’re designed to be moved! Unfortunately, they often move some pretty dangerous stuff, and they aren’t designed for residential housing, so there’s a bit of cleanup and engineering involved to keep this up-cycling wonder structure from becoming an off-grid nightmare. While the disadvantages are plenty, if you can overcome them, then containers will work out. The question then becomes whether you are equipped to overcome these problems or if it might make more sense to outsource your building to the professionals. Fortunately, there are pre-fabricated manufacturers that are building modular homes by either using up-cycled shipping containers themselves, or by using shipping containers as a model for designing modular structures that are easily transportable. Shipping containers are universal, they’re designed for transport by truck, train, and boat so designing a modular frame that takes advantage of this format will revolutionize the modular and tiny home industry!
There are three major manufacturers that build homes either by using shipping containers themselves, or by building modular homes that use a metal frame with the same dimensions of your average shipping containers, and then fill in the blanks with more conventional and cheaper materials. While shipping containers lose structural integrity as you remove side paneling for doors, windows and at attachment points for additional containers, shipping container inspired homes are engineered so that structural support is located where it is needed. This keeps the need for additional materials low and helps these homes meet local building codes.
Logical Homes builds actual shipping container homes, and handles all the necessary prep-work and engineering so you don’t have to.
Nova Deko Modular Home Solutions builds modular homes inspired by shipping containers. With a wide variety of designs and the cheapest prefab unit on our list, Nova Deko seems to have a great product line. They are based out of Australia but their manufacturing is in China so their units are available globally.
Meka boasts a somewhat Scandinavian line of modular, shipping container inspired units that I wouldn’t be shocked to find in my local Ikea showroom in the near future. They manufacture in good ‘ol Indiana, USA, so local shipping to US customers will be a breeze. While not as chic as Nova Deko, Meka designs have an outdoors appeal that go with their Nordic naming scheme.
So, below is a list of 10 models from $24,000. Nova Deko makes a strong appearance here because they simply have a much bigger selection in the sub-$100k price range and great looking designs in general, but Meka and Logical Homes have some promising designs that won themselves a spot on this list.
The Monaco by Nova Deko – $24,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath 160sqft
…the Monaco is a studio granny flat, where the living space duals as a bedroom. It features a tiled bathroom, full kitchen, meals area and the dual living/sleeping area. It comes with all the quality features that are standard in Nova Deko modular homes, such as a quality kitchen with cabinetry in 2-pac finish and reconstituted quartz stone bench tops.
The home has high ceilings and large areas of double glazed windows and doors to let in the light and to avoid that closed-in feeling. This steel framed home is delivered complete (excluding kitchen appliances and hot water system). If the foundations and services are in place, you can move in almost immediately. (Source: Nova Deko)
The Talma 200 by Meka – $32,500
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 200sqft
With the Talma 200, Meka seems to be going with a “beach hut” appeal, while showing off container inspired stackability. I could see a few trucks rolling these into burning man, or to a temporary corporate beach retreat.
The Liberty 200 by Meka – $43,500
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 200sqft
Meka is really stressing the outdoors appeal of a fishing shack or a hunting cabin with the Liberty design. Imagine spending a week among the cedars and snow capped mountains, catching your dinner during the day and drinking bourbon at night in your cozy retreat.
The Milan by Nova Deko – $44,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath 320sqft
You will be amazed at the apparent spaciousness of this single pod modular home, which is perfect as a granny flat, with double bedroom, ensuite, walk-through robe, laundry, dining, kitchen and living area. Efficiency in design together with windows and expansive glass doors, creates a feeling of space throughout. With high quality inclusions and standard of finish in Milan container home, such as 2-pac finish to all cupboards, quartz stone benchtops, soft closing drawer runners and door hinges, you will be even more amazed at the price.
The home comes with all the usual features that are standard in all Nova Deko modular homes, such as 2-pac finish to cabinetry and reconstituted quartz stone benchtops in the kitchen, square mosaic tiles for the bathroom, high ceilings and large areas of double glazed windows and doors to let in the light and to avoid that closed-in feeling. This steel framed home is delivered complete (excluding kitchen appliances and hot water system). If the foundations and services are in place, you can move in almost immediately. (Source: Nova Deko)
The SmartVilla by Nova Deko – $45,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath 320sqft
The SmartVilla consists [of] two 20ft pods joined together to create luxury living.
The SmartVilla is quick and easy to install and will give you that extra space you need to breathe. A smart solution for additional accommodation, home office, granny flat, first home or extra income. (Source: Nova Deko)
The San Marino by Nova Deko – $58,000
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath – 440sqft
The San Marino modular home is a two bedroom granny flat, designed to make the most efficient use of the available space. The bedrooms are located at each end of the pod while the kitchen and living areas are positioned in the centre allowing shared use of common facilities.
The home comes with all the usual features that are standard in all Nova Deko modular homes, such as 2-pac finish to cabinetry and reconstituted quartz stone benchtops in the kitchen, porcelain tiles to bathroom, high ceilings and large areas of double glazed windows and doors to let in the light and to avoid that closed-in feeling. This steel framed home is delivered complete (excluding kitchen appliances and hot water system). If the foundations and services are in place, you can move in almost immediately. (Source: Nova Deko)
The Kara 320 by Logical Homes – $60,000
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, 320sqft
Kara 320 is our smallest home. At 320 square feet this compact home includes all of the basic domestic necessities. The home has a roll-up glass garage door that opens onto a 270 square foot porch. This structure is ideal as a retreat, cabin or accessory dwelling. (Source: Logical Homes)
The Yucatan 320 by Logical Homes – $60,000
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 320sqft
The Yucatan packs quite a bit into a tiny space. You could fill an acre of land with a dozen of these things and have yourself an off-grid resort.
