The population who lives in a shipping container home continually grows because it is an affordable and sustainable housing option. As the opportunity expands more, people are choosing container homes as an alternative than the conventional prefabricated houses.




However, future homeowners face the biggest challenge in insulation. The right insulation system provides a comfortable environment even if the outdoors are at an extreme temperature. But, what is the perfect insulation of your shipping container home needs? This post will offer you a number of excellent options for your insulation system.

Why Do Container Homes Need Insulation?

House insulation is a necessity in locations that has winter and summer seasons.  Climate plays a big role in choosing the perfect insulation system. The insulation system controls the temperature inside the container home. Shipping containers are made of steel, and steels are conductive elements. Thus, it is ineffective in providing a different temperature than the outside.

Moreover, homeowners have to consider the climate season at their location. Locations with warm climates need airconditioning, while those who live with cold climates need a heating system. 

Considerations When Choosing an Insulation System
There are some things you have to weigh in order to provide the best type of insulation system on your container home. The main factors that future home container owners need to consider are:

Air Leaks: It is best to have an idea of how much airflow the insulation can prevent.

Cost: Most homeowners are conscious of their budget. The cost includes insulation equipment and labor for the contractor. But, if you wish to install it yourself, you may do so. In this way, you only have to consider the ease of installation.

Eco-friendliness: Most future homeowners choose home containers as it is eco-friendly. Thus, it is best to sustain the purpose of living green. There are materials in the insulation system that has little to no ecological impact in their manufacturing process and installation.

Net Interior Space: It is important to consider how much space is left in the interior of the home container if you choose to install specific insulation into the interior wall surfaces.

Performance: Homeowners have to weigh the characteristics of the insulation system with its components and structures.

R-value: The efficiency of the materials to prevent the transmission of heat energy.
Vapor Permeability: The efficiency of the insulation system to prevent vapor from penetrating through the insulation.

Types of Insulation System
Before you decide on the type of insulation systems for your container home you have to foresee how it will be installed. Will it use space, or not? There is not enough space for container homes. Some insulation may need to be added on the interior, and some may possibly be installed on the exterior. Different insulation, different installation methods.

Spray Foam Insulation
The spray foam insulation is the most convenient and easiest method to insulate a home container. It is installed by pumping out or spraying a liquid mixture in the walls and floors, then it becomes solid. The spray foam holds faster and continuously onto the cracks and corners.

Some shipping containers are highly coated with dangerous toxic paints that may pose harm to the health of those who live in a container home. Spray foam insulation traps the volatile organic compounds that can potentially release the gases into your home. However, spray foam insulation may not be sustainable enough. 

Blanket Insulation
The mechanism of blanket insulation is like putting a blanket to keep the house warm. It is made of long fibers compressed into a small space. It is the easiest and most affordable option for an insulation system. Some use recycled glass, rocks, cotton, and sheared wool of sheep. The option may be affordable, but the materials in blanket insulation absorb vapor. 

Once the blanket insulation gets wet, the materials become dense and lose some of their insulation features. It is not good to have a vapor-permeable insulator for container homes, the water vapor will end up trapped inside the wall cavities. It will cause more damage than good to your home. But, there is also a good thing about the materials in blanket insulation, sheared wool from sheep and cotton are not readily susceptible to fire.

Expanded Foam Insulation
The expanded foam insulation has the highest R-value when compared to the other insulation systems mentioned. It is perfect for homeowners who do their homes on their own. The expanded foam insulation has a self-support feature which makes it easier to install. 

Conclusion
Today, container homes are a trend. If you are wondering where you can purchase, there are manufacturers of prefab homes in China. Just like conventional homes, prefab homes need insulation for comfort.

Installation of an insulation system has several options, and the location and budget are the major considerations. All of the choices have their advantages and disadvantages. But, with a better understanding, you know what the best from your preference.