Page 7 - Al-Rashed Newsletter Marchl 19

POTPOURRI
SHIPPING CONTAINER LIVING

Why more and more people move towards containers as a housing option?

They are cheap and strong with having not much work to be done on it albeit a bit of
reinforcement to ensure the strength is maintained. Joining conventional residential
construction materials to the containers is also more difficult; attaching them
to steel rather than wood.

Where Do Containers Come From

Imported goods far exceed exported goods in the United States, which results in a
plentiful supply of used shipping containers. Because these are so inexpensive, it is
often more cost effective for companies to buy new containers than to ship back
used ones, which results in the discarding of many old containers.

A good use for these old shipping containers is to incorporate them into building
construction. Containers offer several advantages. They are designed to carry
heavy loads in harsh environments, are stackable, can be interlocked, and are
made in several standard sizes. Properly secured, a container is capable of
withstanding category 5 hurricanes, which makes them stronger than many other
structures. They can be easily transported by sea, truck, or rail and are relatively
inexpensive. Used containers are sold in many conditions and may cost as little as
$1,500; new ones cost up to $6,000, depending on the type and where they are
being sold.

A CAREFUL SELECTION

OF ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES, FIXTURES,

AND AIR CONDITIONING

SYSTEMS, IN
CONJUNCTION WITH A
PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY

ON THE ROOF OF THE

DETACHED GARAGE,
ENABLES THE OWNER

TO PRODUCE MORE
ELECTRICITY THAN HE

CONSUMES, SELLING
ENERGY BACK TO THE

GRID.

Source: Forbes, Treehugger