WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Old shipping containers get a new life
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EMANUEL COUNTY, GA (WTOC) - From worries over energy to a shortage of affordable housing, one Emanuel County family thinks they've found a way to solve a host of problems.
They're using a product from their business that was once considered worthless.
Taylor Webb figured few people would think he could do what he did. He saw container conversion on the news and decided to try it here.
"It struck my interest cause growing up in the trucking industry I knew how sturdy a container could be," Webb, owner of Webblock Solutions, told WTOC.
With the trucking business suffering in the economy, he and his dad gave it a try, building a prototype and a demo.
"This container had ended its working life and would have gone to a scrap yard," Webb explained, admiring his work.
He says the existing four inches of insulation help keep the heating and cooling bill to $50 or less a month. They include two bedrooms, a front room and a full bath still under construction.
With the cost less than a nice SUV, the Webbs say these could work as temporary housing for some and starter housing for others.
The original wooden floor gives it a rustic look for a weekend cabin. The Webbs are fitting one in Twin City as a laundromat with a dozen washers and a dozen dryers.
And Webb has an even more important use in mind.
"Something like this would work great for FEMA cause you could build this and stack them up five high in a big lot then move them when you need the," Webb explained.
He also believes they could be the most affordable "green" housing around. Plus, the steel body and frame are sturdy enough to withstand severe weather and winds.
The Webbs are doing the cabin conversions as a side business. They may add staff to the company if orders pick up.
For more information, visit www.webblocksolutions.com.
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