Shipping container project

[6ply]

Getting a one-trip 20' container in the next few days. I may have a few questions over the next few days and weeks as the "project" develops.

The container will be sited on a concrete hardstanding which has a slope for run off. The supplier says they will provide materials for levelling. I think this will be offcuts of ply or whatever they have. Shall I use my own, and what's recommended for relatively long term use? I presume DPM is pointless.

I will cut and fit a personnel door. This could be on the far end (opposite cargo doors) or side. Structurally, is there any preference? I'm looking at Latham's steel doors. I will fab and weld in my own frame.

Lock for the cargo doors. Any recommendations? Several recent break ins in the local area. I'm tempted to fit a security bar across the inside of the cargo doors rather than spend OTT on a huge lock.

I want to fit an alarm system. I will consider a second hand system or make my own. It should be simple and loud.

The container will be off grid and used for storage only. It's not a workshop. I have several spare 400W solar panels and will be looking for a battery, solar charge controller (viktron?) and lights in due course.

 

[cheb]

I'd suggest if can then insulate it first. They, or at least the things inside, suffer terribly from extremes of temperature. Condensation being the worst. It doesn't need much to mitigate the worst of it.

 

[Agroshield]

Shall I use my own, and what's recommended for relatively long term use?

Stainless steel shims would never rot. If you can set it high enough initially to get a toe jack under a corner, you can always replace/upgrade the packer if it ever needs it.

With respect to insulation, what does the underside of a container look like? Is it possible to insulate under the floor before it is set down into place?

With the standard doors, is there any way of fixing a C-channel over all four handles? As each door has two handles, two locks could double the time it takes to open a door. If the personnel door is weaker than the factory door, that will be used as the way in, so it needs balanced security between the two.

 

[6ply]

Stainless steel shims would never rot. If you can set it high enough initially to get a toe jack under a corner, you can always replace/upgrade the packer if it ever needs it.

With respect to insulation, what does the underside of a container look like? Is it possible to insulate under the floor before it is set down into place?

With the standard doors, is there any way of fixing a C-channel over all four handles? As each door has two handles, two locks could double the time it takes to open a door. If the personnel door is weaker than the factory door, that will be used as the way in, so it needs balanced security between the two.

Due to the slope I expect one corner will be set quite low relative to the other three. I don't envisage any problems jacking it up if needed in the future as I can weld up a toe jack.

I don't know what the underside looks like. I imagine there are some form of steel bearers for the plywood floor. I guess I will find out.

I have considered adding some extra profiles over the handles but bearing in mind my main access will be via the personnel door I think the easiest thing will be just to beef up security from the inside of the cargo doors. I take your point about the personnel door possibly being the weakest point of entry but the lathams steel doors do look quite beefy and they have a security rating on them.

 

[6ply]

I'd suggest if can then insulate it first. They, or at least the things inside, suffer terribly from extremes of temperature. Condensation being the worst. It doesn't need much to mitigate the worst of it.

I have watched a few videos of a canada-based guy who converts shipping containers for a business. He does an excellent job with insulation but I don't think my budget is going to stretch that far. I wonder what the cheapest option would be in the UK.

 

[6ply]

Another thing I forgot to mention but do need is some shelving fitted down the full length of one side. I was thinking about getting some used palette racking and had a look on Facebook marketplace but it just seems to be inundated with the same commercial sellers posting loads of almost identical adverts. I will probably hold off and wait for a local company that just wants to get rid of some at a more reasonable price.

 

[gaz1]

first off get your container

strip the paint off and repaint the lot as you need to seal all of the cracks in the paint for the rust

option 2 paint the lot of it and take the risk

option 3 paint the lot of it and clad it so no sun gets near the metal that cracks paint for fun

you dont need all of this

 

[6ply]

first off get your container

strip the paint off and repaint the lot as you need to seal all of the cracks in the paint for the rust

option 2 paint the lot of it and take the risk

option 3 paint the lot of it and clad it so no sun gets near the metal that cracks paint for fun

you dont need all of this

It's a one journey "new" container. Not considering stripping it yet.

 

[gaz1]

if its new then up to you but that framing gives advantages

another floor on top and also a place to store batterys and a slopping roof

the point is keeping that shipping container away from the sun as it will stretch the metal for fun in sunny areas then the paint cracks and rusting begins so the longer you want it to last then clad it instead of wood you can use light guage steel as well

ive edited the video above as theres loads of options with framing

 

[Gragson]

It's a one journey "new" container. Not considering stripping it yet.

How much did that set you back if you don't me asking?

 

[Wildefalcon]

Spray insulate the roof. It will sweat condensation otherwise.

 

[RichardM]

Sure I've seen jacking feet on the four corners before, a much better option than wood packing.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[6ply]

How much did that set you back if you don't me asking?

£2150 + delivery (ex vat)

 

[6ply]

Cheaper options available for multi trip, ex hire, rough / old and repainted, etc

 

[gaz1]

Sure I've seen jacking feet on the four corners before, a much better option than wood packing.

ive seen them but wouldnt touch the thin jacking ones

much prefer the the jack of the acrow prop

 

[Beeezer]

They have a used once twenty foot container where I work.
They had the option of having it sprayed inside with some anti condensation stuff, they had it done and it’s been fantastic, not one little bit of moisture any where and the coating is really thin.

 

[Erie Fred]

Set it up on some insulation materials (glastic board, etc.), and then wire 240 vac to it.
That should slow down the burglars a wee bit.....

 

[Wildefalcon]

I heartily condemn this sort of thing. You never know when some innocent animal might brush against the container.

Set it up on some insulation materials (glastic board, etc.), and then wire 240 vac to it.
That should slow down the burglars a wee bit.....

 

[bricol]

Last one to be broken into around here, they ignored the padlocked doors and cut a new opening in the side with a Stihl saw, no-doubt borrowed from the last town they were passing through . . .

 

[awemawson]

Sadly no container is safe from a plasma cutter and portable generator in a van, or if noise is not an issue entry via petrol saw.
It's the way the world is these days