Shouses, a blend of sheds and houses, have gained immense popularity as a cost-effective housing solution amidst rising construction expenses. When Jill Crockett expressed her willingness to live in a shed, her husband, Steve, took the idea and built a remarkable “shouse” on their property in regional NSW. Their shouse, dubbed a “shastle” due to its size, combines the durability of a shed with the comforts of a conventional home.
With the steel exterior resembling a shed, shouses provide a unique and appealing living space. Social media platforms like “Shed Life Australia” have become hubs for showcasing these innovative homes, attracting a growing community of enthusiasts. For the Crocketts, their shouse, completed in two years by Steve, not only saved them a substantial amount of money but also offered design flexibility that traditional homes often lack.
Steve, a retired tradie, emphasized the importance of construction experience when building a shouse, even from a shed kit. Despite the simplicity of the build compared to traditional homes, shouses must meet all regulatory standards to be deemed habitable. The internal layout of a shouse allows for limitless design possibilities, with owners like Steve opting for open-plan spaces and high ceilings.
For Warren Thomas, whose company sells shed kits for shouses, the surge in shouse enquiries reflects a growing trend towards off-grid living and unique housing solutions. The appeal of shouses lies in their affordability and adaptability, offering homeowners the chance to personalize their living space beyond traditional constraints.
Carissa Perkins, an early adopter of shouses, designed her own shed home in Central West NSW, leveraging her industry knowledge to create a unique and cost-effective living space. Despite the increasing steel prices impacting shed kit costs, Perkins found that building a shouse was significantly cheaper than a conventional home, with the added benefit of energy efficiency through insulation and double-glazed windows.
While shouses present an attractive alternative to traditional homes, new sustainability standards like BASIX in NSW may pose challenges for future shouse construction. Matt Redfern, a local builder, highlighted the potential impact of stricter insulation requirements on shouses, potentially driving up building costs and necessitating the use of materials like double-glazed windows.
As the housing landscape evolves, shouses continue to offer a creative and cost-efficient housing solution for those seeking unique living spaces. Their blend of functionality, affordability, and design freedom has captured the imagination of homeowners looking to break away from conventional housing norms.
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