These steel panel houses were bought as a kit from the Sears catalog.
Someday I'll figure out how to have comments appear other than a link! Steve's comment is correct, Lustron homes were not sold via Sears:
Steve Wilke Shapiro said...
I think that these homes are interesting as remnants of a failed experiment, and as examples of modern prefab design. However, I am very glad that the company went out of business before succeeding in their goal of transforming the way people purchase homes. One of the primary forces driving (so to speak) suburban sprawl is the view that housing is a commodity like a tennis shoe or ballpoint pen.
I do however, like the idea that a home can be small, well designed and affordable... An all steel home would probably not be practical at today's steel prices. Had Lustron stayed in business, they would probably now be made out of PVC!
I don't think Lustron was a Sears product. I believe that Lustron was its own company. Could be wrong on this count.
Most of the Lustron homes had five rooms and contained about ten tons of steel. Steel wall frames were bolted to a concrete foundation, and steel roof trusses were in turn bolted to the wall frames. The exterior consisted of porcelain enameled steel panels. The price was about $10,500, not counting the lot and other extras.
41 block of McDonald in TGS:
And across the street
3 comments:
I think that these homes are interesting as remnants of a failed experiment, and as examples of modern prefab design. However, I am very glad that the company went out of business before succeeding in their goal of transforming the way people purchase homes. One of the primary forces driving (so to speak) suburban sprawl is the view that housing is a commodity like a tennis shoe or ballpoint pen.
I do however, like the idea that a home can be small, well designed and affordable... An all steel home would probably not be practical at today's steel prices. Had Lustron stayed in business, they would probably now be made out of PVC!
I don't think Lustron was a Sears product. I believe that Lustron was its own company. Could be wrong on this count
swikeshapiro,
I own a Lustron in Southern IL, and it is the best investment I have ever made. I wish Lustron would have stayed in business. The houses are so cheap to heat/cool, basically maintenance free, storage like no other, and a great conversation starter when hosting a party. There are a few challenges to work around, but that makes it part of the fun.
Lustron was indeed it's own company, but before knocking these houses, you really should live in one for a while to see how great they are. I am trying to decide if I should dis-assemble mine and bring it to St Louis with me.
Marty White, what did oyu decide to do?
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