| One would look at a stainless steel building and not | | | | owner needs. This actually comes out to be |
| believe that it could be turned into a residential | | | | around $100 or less per square foot. |
| home. There are many components that stainless | | | | The price is actually the same if not less than an |
| steel buildings lack that homes must have, so the | | | | actual home built from scratch. |
| work involved may be rather extensive. | | | | The steel building is an existing structure that can |
| However, stainless steel buildings tend to be less | | | | be built upon by adding insulation if needed, |
| expensive than the average home and may even | | | | carpeting the floors, adding drywall to the walls |
| still cost less if converted into a residential home. | | | | and actually creating rooms out of multiple |
| But can it be done? | | | | buildings being sealed together. Bathrooms can be |
| Yes it can. Believe it or not, a group of architects | | | | installed as well as heating and cooling systems. |
| in 2006 actually turned steel shipping containers | | | | The possibilities seem to be endless, so the |
| into homes. Because of this innovative | | | | imagination can go a long way when turning a |
| accomplishment, they proved that such a feat is | | | | steel building into a home. |
| possible and have opened the doors to more | | | | However, it is the building codes that tend to get |
| steel structures being converted into residential | | | | in the way. Although steel buildings are stronger |
| homes. It first started with the military using steel | | | | than other construction means, there are hurdles |
| storage containers as offices, showers, and | | | | that must be taken care of before building can |
| bunkers. | | | | begin. There are some communities that do allow |
| It is true that these structures are lacking many | | | | steel building construction and then again there are |
| of the components required for a home such as | | | | communities that do not. That simply comes |
| wood, but many of these buildings actually have | | | | down to the fact that new things tend to be |
| teak floors and are insulated. The lack of | | | | accepted slower than the old. The truth is, though, |
| components hasn't hindered designers from | | | | that the fact that steel buildings can be converted |
| turning steel buildings into residential designs since | | | | into residential homes will eventually catch on and |
| 1982. However, it isn't something we see often, | | | | the industry will be booming. |
| but the point is that it is actually being done. It is | | | | Just think, the next time a home is built next |
| actually growing in popularity and there are | | | | door, it could be a steel building being converted |
| architecture firms all over the world cashing in on | | | | into a residential home. Doing so provides strength |
| the benefits. | | | | and security that other construction means |
| They call these "Quick Houses' and they can be | | | | cannot do. Sure, it is a rather odd idea, but think |
| two-stories at 2000 square feet with large glass | | | | about how steel can stand up to the elements. |
| windows and skylights. Such a structure is built by | | | | Those investing in a steel building to be converted |
| using 5 storage buildings, which provides the | | | | into a residential home are more likely to have |
| owner with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The | | | | their home standing after a natural disaster than |
| price range can be anywhere between $76,000 | | | | those who do not have steel homes. |
| and $160,000 depending on how much space the | | | | |