What you need to know before living in a metal home
Homeownership is a goal for a lot of people. Having a place that you can call your own can give you a strong sense of security. Unfortunately, the costs of buying a house makes this goal very hard to achieve.
If you are looking for a more affordable way to have your own house, then consider getting a metal home instead. These homes are growing in popularity because of the many benefits they provide. They are easy and quick to build, cost-effective, and highly durable.
There are different kinds of metal homes. Some people use metal shipping containers as the frame for their metal homes. Others go for adaptive steel buildings which may be used for residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
A metal home is quite different from the conventional ones that are made of cement and concrete. Therefore, no matter what type of metal home you are planning to get, it is important to be prepared and well-informed on what it takes to live in a metal home.
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Here are some things you need to know before living in a metal home:
- Proper insulation is a must. With the right materials and proper installation, insulation should not be a problem in any metal home. However, most people are usually more skilled at insulating traditional homes which have different requirements from a metal home. The right insulation will help you reduce energy consumption significantly. In fact, you may even enjoy some tax breaks or incentives if your metal home meets certain energy rating requirements. Some of the different types of insulation that are being used for metal homes are loose-fill insulation, batt and blanket insulation, rigid board insulation, and spray foam insulation. Make sure that the company building your metal home has abundant experience. If possible, check the insulation in some of the metal homes they’ve built.
- A conventional look is possible. If you are wary of having a metal home because you think it is not aesthetically appealing to you, then you’d be glad to know that a metal home does not have to look dull, bare, and all-metal. There are many ways to make metal building structures look well-designed and appealing. There are a lot of metal homes that still use non-metallic materials for its façade and interiors. Look at metal home designs and work with a company that has a lot of experience building them.
- Your home is NOT more likely to get hit by lightning. This is a huge misconception for some people. Just because it is metal, it doesn’t mean that it has a higher risk of getting struck by lightning. If by some small chance, your metal home does get hit by lightning, then it is safer than having a wooden home hit by lightning. When a metal home is struck by lightning, the structure simply conducts the energy to the ground, unlike with a wooden home where there is a risk of your home exploding or catching fire.
- Insulate for noise. Aside from insulating your home to make it energy-efficient, don’t forget to insulate for noise too. Most of the time, the roof insulation also doubles as noise insulation. Make sure to let your builder know if you want better noise insulation.
4 Reasons living in a metal home is a solid idea
Thinking about building and living in a metal home? You are not alone! Metal homes are increasing in popularity as more people discover their many benefits. In fact, the industry is booming as more people realize they can take more ownership over their home and their mortgage.
Still not convinced you should skip the traditional wooden framing from your family home? Consider these four reasons for why living in a metal home is a solid idea.
1. They are super affordable.
Metal homes are much more affordable than traditional homes. As soon as you begin the process of building a metal home, you will save money. The offset costs are significantly cheaper than the other home construction costs. For example, many of the pieces are pre-engineered and pre-assembled, so you will not have to pay for someone else to do the labor.
Additionally, when you purchase from a quality distributor, you will save money over the lifetime of the home as they are made of long-lasting materials and are easy to keep up.
2. They offer endless floorplan options.
If you want to have a more creative floorplan, metal homes give you the freedom to make the layout of the home your own. The design of metal homes does not require the same type of inside walls as traditional wooden homes, which gives you the ability to shape the home to fit your tastes and needs so your home becomes a place where you can truly relax.
3. They are easy to maintain.
Unlike traditional homes that require continuous up keep, metal homes are extremely easy to maintain. As Builder explains, “Metal is far less pest-prone than wood, as it is not a food source for termites or ants, and properly-treated steel requires far less maintenance than wood.” Outside of the occasional power washing and gutter cleaning, they are basically maintenance free.
4. They are made of recyclable materials.
Finally, another perk for those that are environmentally-conscious is that metal homes are made of recyclable materials. At the end of its lifetime, your home’s sustainable materials can be recycled.
Metal homes are affordable, unique, and easy to maintain. If you are considering a metal home, rest assured, it is a solid choice.
