Our readers often complain that so many of the cutting-edge sustainable homes we cover are beyond their price range. And it's true. New materials and new technology are often expensive - until the market catches up and those prices fall. But there are other, more affordable options, including these prefabricated galvanized steel structures from Arched Cabins. A preassembled kit that comes in a plethora of sizes, this do-it-yourself housing alternative probably won't land you on the cover of Wallpaper Magazine, but it will provide a safe and affordable structure that also meets building codes.
A standard kit comes complete with floor plates, ribs, a ridge beam, R13 insulation (though this can be upgraded to R25 insulation for cooler climes), Super Span roof paneling, along with trim and fasteners. It doesn’t come with a foundation, installation, interior finishings or end caps – though distributors can help out those who aren’t avid DIYers with the basics. Sizes range from 14 feet wide and 12 feet tall to 24 feet wide 32 feet tall, and they are custom designed for those who have particular dimensions.
Related: Innovative modular eco pods operate off grid in any locale
Rated for 150mph winds and 30 PSF (pounds per square feet) of snow, these cabins are no dinky metal sheds that will collapse with the first winter storm. Instead, they are designed to be durable and flexible, and they ship to every one of the lower 48 states. Larger orders can be shipped to Alaska and Canada.
“In our time building Arched Cabins we have seen them used for everything you can think of, including workshops, animal shelters, vacation homes, RV shelters, retirement homes, and hunting lodges. No matter what your need is, an Arched Cabin can be adapted to suit you,” according to the company website.
“Arched Cabins can be fully insulated and built out with lofts and finished interiors to be the home or cabin of your dreams, or they can be minimally insulated and finished with basic end caps to be used for an animal shelter or garage.”
For many of our readers, the price will be particularly attractive. The smallest cabin costs under $1,000 before shipping and without all the upgrades, while a 12×24, which can easily be used as a one-room tiny home, costs less than $5,000 for the basics. With a bit of ingenuity and savvy material recycling, it is possible to build a tidy little dwelling that will be easy to heat and cool, without having to pay the bank a dime of your hard-earned funds.
Via Awesome Jelly
from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://ift.tt/1nDi3Mh
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