Comparing tiny houses, container homes and ADUs (2024)

FAQs

Comparing tiny houses, container homes and ADUs? ›

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.

The answer is almost always going to come down to personal preference. Tiny homes emphasize minimalist living that you can replicate with a small container home. Container homes have no such limitations and can be the size of a simple modular home or you can combine enough of them to make an entire apartment complex.

They can be converted garages, basem*nt apartments, or separate cottages. ADUs allow homeowners to expand their living space and generate rentals while maintaining the privacy of both units. On the other hand, tiny houses are compact living spaces intentionally designed to be small and efficient.

Because they were built to safely transport goods over long distances and often-harsh conditions, shipping containers are extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for homes. With proper care and maintenance, these homes can last decades - an average lifespan of 25-30 years.

Container homes can be a good option for people who want to build a unique, industrial-style home, or for those who are looking for an affordable housing option. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are small, separate living spaces that are built on the same property as a single-family home.

Tiny houses are designed to sit on a very small space, so the costs to install them tend to be small. An ADU can take any form or size, so ADUs on average will be more expensive to build.

There is a wide range of tiny houses with different types, including mobile variants and those with fixed pitches. Mobile tiny houses, also known as mobile homes, are mounted on wheels or a construction trailer and offer extreme flexibility as they can be easily moved from one place to another.

Tiny homes have recently been classified as a type of ADU in San Diego – you can have a detached tiny home (150-430 sqft in size, licensed by the DMV) as your ADU in your back yard. Note that this is not in addition to having an ADU; the tiny home is classified as the ADU.

Prefab container homes are low-risk investments because they can be considerably cheaper to build and maintain, and may hold their value more so than a traditionally built home.

Is a container home worth it? ›

Modular shipping container homes can be faster to build than a custom stick-built house. Smaller container homes may be less expensive than traditional building methods; a container tiny home can cost between $10,000 to $25,000. Reusing shipping containers can help the environment by keeping these containers in use.

Container homes can also increase in value over time. As they become more popular, their market appeal grows. This popularity can lead to higher resale values.

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.

Overall, container homes are well insulated due to the natural insulation properties of steel construction.

According to containerhomehub.com, rust occurs on shipping containers when they are exposed to moisture and oxygen, which leads to oxidation (the breakdown of iron-based metals). Rust can weaken the structure of a shipping container home and lead to additional problems, such as leaks and water damage.

Lower Cost to Build

Building a shipping container home is cheaper based on a few factors. Obviously, they're built on a much smaller scale and you'll need less materials to complete the interior, so the materials and labour involved will cost less.

Shipping Container Homes Can Be Just as Safe as Regular Homes. Shipping container homes can be equally safe as traditional homes when proper construction and safety measures are implemented. Despite concerns about toxic chemicals and harmful paint coatings, there are ways to address these issues.

Container homes are cost efficient, eco friendly investments. The initial costs of container homes can be lower than traditional homes. Container homes are durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. There are potentially high ROI for container houses investments.

While sturdy and durable, a shipping container's steel walls can get very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. That means you'll definitely need insulation if you intend to use the container as a living or working space, or if you plan to store temperature-sensitive assets such as electronics or perishable goods.