SOMETIMES thinking outside the box means living in one.With the cost of real estate on the rise, savy Sydney homebuilders are increasingly taking a more unorthodox approach to their dream pad — with a growing trend for turning industrial shipping containers into fully detached homes and granny flats.The concept is already reasonably widespread in the United States and Canada, but has recently spread to Australia as homebuyers seek to stretch their dollars to the max.media_cameraHARD TO BELIEVE: Some container conversions look so much like regular houses they can be hard to spot. Picture: Container Homes Designer Domain.Container Build Group chief executive Jamie van Tongeren, who converts containers into houses, granny flats and offices, said interest had exploded in the past year as people began to search for alternatives to costly and often lengthy construction projects.“We’re getting up to 70 inquiries a day,” he said. “People like the containers because they are fully insulated, just as comfortable as a normal house and take just three weeks to make.”

Mr van Tongeren said the low compartive cost of container homes was often a major contributing factor in people’s decision-making process.media_cameraContainer homes can cost a fraction of the cost of conventionally built homes. Picture: Container Homes Designer Domain.While a regular 200sqm three-bedroom Sydney home costs about $400,000 to build with modest fittings, a three-bedroom shipping container structure of roughly the same dimensions ranges from just $150,000 to $300,000.Similarly, while it can cost well over $100,000 to construct a granny flat in Sydney, a container conversion can be completed for half the price at about $42,000.That includes additional installation costs such as transport, council fees and setting the containers onto concrete blocks.media_cameraThe homes are most popular in rural areas where builders can be hard to find.Container homes have proved extremely popular in remote areas where a lack of local tradespeople makes building conventional homes difficult.

Mr van Tongeren said this was because the containers are converted to homes in factories it removes many of the delays and costs associated with working on site — but added city dwellers were quickly catching on.“garage roller door greaseThere are no rain delays, no builders on site digging. almond colored french door refrigeratorNo need for scaffolding or portaloos,” he said.media_cameraContainer homes can be constructed from multiple containers.wood entry door with sidelitesNorthern Beaches actor Felix Williamson said he recently had a container room installed in his garden after learning it would be eco-friendly.sliding glass door thermal drapes

His container has bi-fold doors, picture windows and a roof embedded with grass and succulents. best 4 door sports cars under 50kIt took three weeks to build and was installed in his backyard with a crane over a few hours.media_cameraThe interiors can be fitted with any of the features of a normal house.“sears garage door opener belt drivenI had wanted to build a cottage out back as a man cave, but found out there was a sewer line running underneath so we couldn’t build foundations,” Mr Williamson said.“barn door rollers ebayThis seemed like the perfect solution. If anyone needs to do something under it we can just move it.”Quickshack managing director Rufus Harding said Mr Williamson isn’t alone and that container homes have become popular with homeowners who put a high priority on the environment.“

They’re in fashion right now because they’re sustainable. You can also do some high-level stuff with containers. You could build a five-star hotel and people wouldn’t know the difference,” he said.media_cameraThe container homes are considered eco-friendly because many are not permanent structures.The container home shells normally take only a few hours to install, but the entire process of setting them up on site takes up to three days.Builders will first drill holes into the ground and fill them with concrete and steel poles, waiting roughly a day for the concrete to set. The containers are then lowered onto the site with the help of a crane and welded to the poles. The roof and subsequent add ons like verandas will be hinged to the container once it is firmly in place.media_cameraContainer suppliers say interest in the concept has grown substantially over the last year. Picture credit: Container Houses Designer Domain.The containers can also be stacked to nine levels, allowing any number of different designs and applications.

Most homes are converted from unused containers, but Tiger Containers sales manager Michael Hockam said used containers work just as well if they are in good nick and thoroughly cleaned. “Using a banged up container will just create more work in the conversion process so using the best quality containers for house conversions actually costs less,” he said.media_cameraContainers can be stacked to nine levels, allowing for multiple applications.PRICE COMPARISONConventional granny flat (25sq m)Building costs: $85,000Connections costs (water, elec.): $7000Council fees: $7000Total: $99,000Container granny flat (20sq m)Container cost: $26,000Transportation (incl. crane hire): $2,000Connection costs (water, elec.): $7000Council fees: $7000Total: $42,000 You can temporarily lift this restriction by proving that you're human:Double Glazed products are designed to reduce the amount of warmth lost during winter and prevent unwanted heat gain during summer – helping homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Compared to ordinary windows and doors, Double Glazed products can reduce energy bills by up to 23%. Signature Thermal Break is an advanced energy efficient technology for windows and doors. The Signature Thermal Break system uses reinforced polyamide extrusions to separate the exterior and interior of the aluminium window or door frame. It also includes Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) as standard. Solar Comfort is a comprehensive window and door energy efficient system designed to reduce the amount of warmth lost during winter and prevents unwanted heat gain during summer. The Solar Comfort system uses low-e (emissivity) glass to reduce radiative heat transfer. It also includes high quality seals stopping heat from leaking between the low-e glass and aluminium frame. Solar Block is the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce the heat and glare of the Australian sun, like a pair of sunglasses for your home. It’s attractive tinting helps stop temperatures from soaring in the heat of the day, reducing the need for air conditioning and keeping your home cool and comfortable, all year round.