HowToBuildAShippingContainer

Home:TheCompleteGuide

ByTomWoods

2015TomWoods

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Disclaimer:Allinformationwithinthisguideispublishedforgeneral
informationpurposesonly.WhilstIstrivetomaketheinformationand
figurescontainedwithintheguideastimelyandaccurateaspossible,I
makenoclaims,promises,guaranteesorwarrantiesforthe
completeness,reliabilityandaccuracyofthisinformation.Anyaction
youtakeupontheinformationfromtheguideisstrictlyatyourown
risk.Iamnotliableforanylossesanddamagesinconnectionwiththe
useofthisguide.

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AuthorsNote

Firstofall,Idliketothankyoufordecidingtodownloadthesesample
chapters.
Whetheryouhavebeenfollowingcontainerhomeplans.orgforalong
time,oryouhaveonlyrecentlydiscoveredus,itsgreattohaveyouin
ourcommunity.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheguide,orwouldliketosend
picturesofyourcompletedshippingcontainerhometofeatureonour
website,pleaseusethefollowingemailaddress:
publisher@containerhomeplans.org

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Contents
PLANNINGYOURSHIPPINGCONTAINERHOME..................................................................8
SettingYourBudget..................................................................................................................................8
DesigningYourShippingContainerHome................................................................................................9
ExampleShippingContainerHomeFloorPlan.........................................................................................9
ExampleShippingContainerHomeElevation........................................................................................10

LOCALPLANNINGPERMISSION........................................................................................11
UnitedStates..........................................................................................................................................11
Australia.................................................................................................................................................11
NewZealand...........................................................................................................................................11
UnitedKingdom......................................................................................................................................11
WhatInformationShouldIExpecttoProvide?......................................................................................12
Example..................................................................................................................................................12

CHOOSINGANDPURCHASINGYOURCONTAINERS...........................................................13
PurchaseNew,OneTriporUsedContainers?........................................................................................13
WhattoLookforWhenPurchasingUsedContainers............................................................................14
WheretoBuyYourShippingContainer?................................................................................................15
HowMuchShouldIExpectToPay?........................................................................................................15

WHERETOCONVERTYOURCONTAINERS.........................................................................17
ConvertYourShippingContainersOnSite.............................................................................................17
ConvertYourShippingContainersOffSite.............................................................................................17
Example..................................................................................................................................................18

GETTINGYOURCONTAINERSDELIVERED..........................................................................19
WhatToDoIfYouveBoughtYourContainersNew?.............................................................................19
HowMuchShouldYouExpectToPay?...................................................................................................19

SITEPREPARATIONANDLAYINGYOURFOUNDATIONS....................................................21
WhatTypeofFoundationShouldIUse?................................................................................................21
SoilTypes................................................................................................................................................21
IdentifyingSoilType...............................................................................................................................22

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TypesofFoundation...............................................................................................................................22
StrengthofConcretetoUseforYourFoundation..................................................................................28
Example..................................................................................................................................................29

DELIVERINGANDSITINGYOURCONTAINERS...................................................................31
PreparingtheBaseofYourContainers...................................................................................................31
SitingYourContainers............................................................................................................................31
ConnectingYourContainers...................................................................................................................32
BoltingThemTogether...........................................................................................................................33
WeldingThemTogether.........................................................................................................................33
Example..................................................................................................................................................33

LOCATEFIRSTFIXSERVICES..............................................................................................40
FoundationServicesPlan........................................................................................................................40
ContainerServicesPlan..........................................................................................................................40
InstallingYourServices...........................................................................................................................41

HOWTOFITYOURROOF..................................................................................................44
RoofStyles..............................................................................................................................................44
Example..................................................................................................................................................50

FITTINGYOURWINDOWSANDDOORS............................................................................52
StructuralReinforcement.......................................................................................................................52
MakeYourFrames..................................................................................................................................52
CuttingYourOpenings............................................................................................................................53
FittingYourWindowsandDoors............................................................................................................53
Example..................................................................................................................................................54

HOWTOFRAMEYOURCONTAINERS................................................................................59
MaterialstoFrame.................................................................................................................................59
FramingYourContainer.........................................................................................................................59
Example..................................................................................................................................................61

FITTINGYOURCEILING.....................................................................................................63
LeavingYourCeilingExposed.................................................................................................................63
FitYourJoists..........................................................................................................................................63

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Example..................................................................................................................................................63

FITSECONDFIXSERVICES.................................................................................................65
ElectricServices......................................................................................................................................65
WaterandSewageServices...................................................................................................................66
TelephoneServices.................................................................................................................................67
Example..................................................................................................................................................67

INSULATINGYOURSHIPPINGCONTAINER........................................................................71
ToInsulateorNottoInsulate.................................................................................................................71
InternalorExternalInsulation................................................................................................................71
WheretoInsulate...................................................................................................................................72
TypesofInsulation..................................................................................................................................72
FittingYourInsulation............................................................................................................................74
Example..................................................................................................................................................75

FITTINGYOURWALLS.......................................................................................................78
FittingPlasterboard................................................................................................................................78
PreparingYourPlasterboardforPaint...................................................................................................79

HOWTOFITYOURFLOORS...............................................................................................80
RemovingHazardousFlooring................................................................................................................80
LayingYourNewFloor............................................................................................................................81
Example..................................................................................................................................................84

PAINTINGYOURINTERNALWALLS...................................................................................86
BuyingandPreparingYourPaint...........................................................................................................86
PaintingYourRooms..............................................................................................................................86
Example..................................................................................................................................................87

EXTERNALFINISHES..........................................................................................................89
FinishingContainerswithExternalInsulation........................................................................................89
FinishingContainerswithoutExternalInsulation...................................................................................90
Example..................................................................................................................................................92

FINISHINGYOURSHIPPINGCONTAINERHOME................................................................94
TotalCost................................................................................................................................................98

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Introduction
ThankyoufordownloadingyourfreesamplecopyofHowToBuildAShippingContainerHome:The
CompleteGuide.Thisfreesamplecontainstwochaptersfromthefullguide:

ChapterThree:ChoosingandPurchasingYourContainers
ChapterSeven:DeliveringandSitingYourContainers

Ihopeyouenjoyreadingthissampleandtofindoutmoreabouttheguideorshippingcontainer
homesingeneralpleasevisitourwebsiteat:http://www.containerhomeplans.org/

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3
ChoosingandPurchasingYourContainers
Soyouveplannedyourhomeandmanagedtogetplanningpermission;itstimetopurchaseyour
containers.Thereareavarietyofchoiceshere,themostpopularofwhichisthestandard20or40
footcontainer,ortheHighCube20or40footcontainer.Pleaseseethedimensionsofeachinthe
tablesbelow.
Table1:ExternalDimensionsofaShippingContainer
ContainerType
Standard20Foot
Standard40Foot
HighCube20Foot
HighCube40Foot

Length
19'101/2"(6.06m)
40'(12.19m)
19'101/2"(6.06m)
40'(12.19m)

Width
8'(2.44m)
8'(2.44m)
8'(2.44m)
8'(2.44m)

Height
8'6"(2.59m)
8'6"(2.59m)
96(2.90m)
96(2.90m)

Table2:InternalDimensionsofaShippingContainer
ContainerType
Length
Width
Height
Standard20Foot
19'4(5.89m)
7'8(2.34m)
7'10(2.39m)
Standard40Foot
39'5(12.01m)
7'8(2.34m)
7'10(2.39m)
HighCube20Foot
19'4(5.89m)
7'8(2.34m)
810(2.69m)
HighCube40Foot
39'5(12.01m)
7'8(2.34m)
810(2.69m)
*Pleasenoteeachmanufacturehasslightlydifferenttolerancelevels,normally+5mm,somakesure
youcontactthesuppliertogettheexactdimensions.
Yourchoicewillbemadeonboththeavailabilityofthecontainersinyourlocalarea,andalsothe
plans which youve drawn up in chapter one. If you have the budget, and can source them, High
Cubecontainersmakeabetterchoicebecauseyougetanextrafootinheightinsidethecontainer
whichmakesabigdifference.

PurchaseNew,OneTriporUsedContainers?
Newandonetripcontainersareessentiallythesamething;onetripcontainersareusedtoshipa
singlecargoloadandoncetheyhavearrivedattheirdestinationtheyaresold.
Clearlythedecisionofwhethertobuyneworusedcontainerswillmostlikelycomedowntoyour
budget,howeverthereareafewpointstotakeintoconsideration.
Neworonetripcontainerswillbeinmuchbetterconditionthanusedcontainerssothiswillmakeit
easier to build with them; they will also have a longer expected lifespan than used containers. In
additiontheriskofunknownchemicalcontaminationisgreatlyreduced(mostusedcontainersare
treatedwithhazardouschemicalssuchaspesticidesandleadbasedpaint).
However,youpaythepriceforthisasdiscussedlateroninthischapterunderHowMuchShouldI
ExpectToPay?.

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Usedcontainersdooffertheadvantageofbeingcheaperthannewcontainersandyoucangetyour
handsonthemmuchquicker.Howeverbepreparedtoexpectafewdintsandpotentiallysomelight
rusting.
Fortheprojectwearefeaturingtheydecidedtobuytwousedstandard40footcontainers.

WhattoLookforWhenPurchasingUsedContainers
If you decide to purchase new or one trip containers generally you wont need to inspect the
containerstooclosely.Howeverifyoupurchaseusedcontainersthereareseveralkeythingstolook
outfor:

Makesureitiswatertightanddoesnthaveanyleaks(ifyoucanseedaylightcoming
throughthecontainerroofdontbuyit).
Althoughyoushouldexpecttypicalwearandtearwiththewoodenflooringmakesureitis
stillintactanddoesntcontainanyholes.
Checkthedoorsopenfreelyandthelockingbarswork.
Expectsomedentsandverylightrust,howeverifthecontainerhasalargeamountof
corrosiontotheextentwherethemetalisweakenedorworseyet,youcanseethroughit
dontbuyit.
Useyournoseandcheckthecontainerdoesntsmellofmold(whichwouldindicateleaks)or
harshtoxicchemicalssuchaspesticides.
Makesureyougetupontheroofofthecontainerandcheckitforanysignsofleaksor
corrosion.

Finally, check the containers identification code is intact. The identification code is broken down
into11digitsasshownbelow.

OwnerCode:Ismadeupofthreelettersandidentifiestheowner.InthiscaseTGHbelongstothe
AmericancompanyTextainer.
ProductGroupCode:IsmadeupofonecapitalletterU,JorZ.

U=ShippingContainer.
J=Equipmentthatcanbeattachedtoacontainersuchasapowerunit.
Z=Trailerusedtocarryacontainer.

SerialNumber:A6digitnumberassignedbytheowner.
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Check Digit: is a single digital number, its used to crossverify if the identification sequence is
accurate.

WheretoBuyYourShippingContainer?
The simplest way to purchase a shipping container is to find a reputable local dealer. Green Cube
Networkhasafantasticsearchtooltofindlocaldealers;takealookattheirtooloverat:
http://www.greencubenetwork.org/shippingcontainerdealers_3/
Alternatively you can use google. Just search for shipping container dealer followed by your
location. For instance: shipping container dealer Texas. Or another term which works quite well is
buy shipping container in followed by your location. For instance: buy shipping container in
Queensland.IfyouarestillstrugglingtofindacontainertryusingeBay,GumtreeorAlibaba.

http://www.alibaba.com/
http://www.ebay.com/
http://www.gumtree.com/

Tip: When purchasing your containers try to purchase them all from the same manufacturer.
Manufacturers have slight variations which could make working with different brand containers
difficult.

HowMuchShouldIExpectToPay?
Clearlythiswillvarydependingonthecontainersyouvedecidedtobuy,howeverwehaveputsome
estimatesbelowtogiveyouaroughidea.
UsedStandard20FootContainer:US$2,100|AUD$2,700|GBP1,350
NewStandard20FootContainer:US$3,000|AUD$3,900|GBP1,950
UsedStandard40FootContainer:US$2,850|AUD$3,650|GBP1,850
NewStandard40FootContainer:US$5,600|AUD$7,200|GBP3,650
UsedHighCube20FootContainer:US$2,200|AUD$2,850|GBP1,450
NewHighCube20FootContainer:US$3,200|AUD$4,150|GBP2,100
UsedHighCube40FootContainer:US$2,950|AUD$3,800|GBP1,925
NewHighCube40FootContainer:US$5,800|AUD$7,500|GBP3,795

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Checklist

DecideWhetherYouAreBuyingNeworUsed

BuyYourContainers

SetaMaximumPrice

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DeliveringandSitingYourContainers
Soyourfoundationhascuredandthebigdayishere;itstimetoputtheoryintopractice.Ifindthe
daythecontainersgetdeliveredonsitethemostexcitingbarnone.

PreparingtheBaseofYourContainers

Tip: Its not always possible to complete this step, and it isnt 100% required, but if you can its
worthwhile.
Onceyourcontainershavearrivedonsite,useacraneandhoistthemupintotheaironebyone.
Oncethecontainerisin theair the underneathofitneeds cleaningandinsulating.Sandblastthe
underside of the container to clean it and spray at least 1 of closed cell polyurethane foam to
insulatethebaseofthecontainer(seeChapter14(InsulatingYourHome).
Ifyoudonthaveaccesstoacraneonthedayyoucanalwaysdothisoncethecontainershavebeen
sited,providingyouhavearaisedfoundationsuchasconcretepiers.

SitingYourContainers
Ifyourfoundationisaccessibletothetruckdeliveringyourcontainersyoureinluck.Assumingthe
containers are being transported on a tilt flatbed trailer, the driver can back right up to the
foundationandletthecontainerslideoffthetrailerontothefoundation.Thisisbyfarthecheapest
andeasiestmethod.
If the foundation isnt directly accessible youre going to need either a crane or a HIAB to lift the
containersupanddroptheminplace.AHIABisthecheaperoptionhoweveritwillstruggletolift
anythinglargerthana20footcontainer,soifyouareusing40footcontainersyouwillneedtousea
crane.Althoughusingacranegivesyouagreateramountofcontrolovertheexactsitingpoint,be
preparedtopayaroundUS$700|AUD$890|GBP450perday.

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Figure8.1:UnloadingShippingContainer

Tip: whichever method you opted for make sure to put polyethylene damp proof membrane in
betweenthefoundationpadsandtheshippingcontainer.
If the containers arent perfectly level you can use metal spacers, also called shims, to wedge the
containerup.

ConnectingYourContainers
Onceyourcontainershavebeensitedtheyneedcleaning.Ifyouhavepurchasednewcontainersyou
dontneedtospendtoomuchtimecleaningthembutcertainlywithusedcontainerstheyneedsand
blasting.
Sandblast the inside of the containers first including the wooden floor, and then move onto the
exteriormakingsureyoucleantheroofaswell.Ifyoudonthaveaccesstoasandblasterthenyou
candothesamejobwitheitherapressurewasher,wirewooloragrinder.
Nowyourcontainershavebeencleanitstimetoconnectthemtothefoundationandtoeachother.
Mostofthetimeyoucansitethecontaineronthefoundationandthecontainersweightaloneis
more than enough to hold it in place. However if youd like added security you can place a steel
plate,foreachcornerofthecontainer,ontopoftheconcretebeforeitsets.Thenyoucanweldyour
containertotheplatesforadditionalstrength.

Figure8.2:FixingShippingContainerToFoundation

Ifyoudontwanttoweldyourcontainerstotheconcretefoundationyoucanboltthecontainersto
the foundation instead. Once you have sited the containers on the foundation, drill through the
bottom corner fittings down into the concrete. Now place the bolt through the container corner
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fittinganddownintotheconcrete.A1"x12"boltwouldbeidealhere,ifyourelookingforabrand
Hiltisconcreteanchorswillbefine.Youmayneedtouseahammertoknocktheboltdown,once
itsinplacetightenupthenutandremembertouseawasherinbetweenthenutandthecorner
fitting.Oneineachcornerofthecontainerwillkeepitsecure.
Now you need to connect your containers to each other. You can use a variety of techniques to
connectyourshippingcontainerstogetherincluding,bolting,weldingandclamping.

BoltingThemTogether
To bolt the containers together you need to connect the containers at the touching corner fitting
points.You woulddrill through the cornerfitting fromonecontainerintotheothercontainerand
thenplaceaboltintheholewithadrilledmetalplateinsidethecornerfitting(toactasawasher).
You can then use mastic around the bolt to seal any gaps. Bolting them together is the easiest
methodbutitcertainlyisntasstrongasweldingthemtogether.Alsoifyoudecidedtoboltthem
togetherthenyoucandisassemblethemlateronwhichyoucantdoifyouweldedthem.

WeldingThemTogether
Weldingcontainerstogethermakesthemmuchmoresecureandrigid,thishelpstokeepboththe
containers level. You need to weld the roofs of the container together in addition to any floors
whichoverlapeachother(seetheexamplelateroninthechapter).Youcanuse3x1/8flatsteel
usingastitchpattern(astitchweldisanintermittentweld;meaningyouweldforasetlength,skip
anothersetlength,thenweldthesetlengthagain.)tosecurethecontainerstogether.

Example
Intheexamplewearelookingat,thecontainersweredeliveredonatiltflatbedtrailerandsimply
slid off onto the concrete piers. The containers werent welded down to the foundation because
theyfeltthiswasntnecessary.

Figure8.3:UnloadingShippingContainer

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Figure8.4:UnloadingShippingContainer

Oncethecontainerswerelinedupnexttoeachotherfoaminsulationwassprayedbetweenthetwo
containers.Thishelps to keep themoistureoutandalsohelps tomaintainthecontainersinternal
temperaturethroughstoppinganydrafts.

SprayFoamInsulation

Figure8.5:InsulatingShippingContainer

Thecontainerswereweldedtogetherinsteadofboltingthemfortheextrastrength.Theroofwas
weldedwith3x1/8flatsteelusingastitchpatternwitha110Voltwirefeedwelder.

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Figure8.6:WeldingShippingContainerRoof

Figure8.7:WeldingShippingContainerRoof

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Figure8.8:FinishedWeldingShippingContainerRoof

Inadditiontohelpkeepthecontainercompletelyairtight,theendwallswerealsoweldedusing2x
1/8flatsteel.Thisensuresnodraftcangetthroughthegapsandaffecttheinternaltemperatureof
thecontainer.

Figure8.9:WeldingEndsOfShippingContainer

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Insidethecontainersthefloorswereweldedtogethertoprovideextrarigidity,using2x1/8flat
steel.

Figure8.10:WeldingShippingContainerFloor

Once all the welding had been finished the steel was painted with latex paint to help prevent
rusting.

Figure8.11:VentilationForTheFoundation

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Checklist
CleanYourContainersInsideAndOut

InsulatetheBaseofYourContainers

SiteandLevelYourContainers

ConnectYourContainersTogether

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ThankyouforreadingyourfreesamplecopyofHowtoBuildaShippingContainerHome.Insidethe
fullguideyouwill:
1. Discoverhowtopurchasecontainersforthelowestpossiblepriceandreceiveacrucialpre
purchaseinspectionchecklist.
2. Get your hands on the exact plans used to build container homes for less than $35,000,
includingautilitieslayoutguideandfoundationplan.
3. Learnallthereistoknowaboutbuildingpermitsincludingwhatkeyinformationyouneedto
preparebeforeapplying.
4. Uncoverhowtoproperlyinsulateyourcontainersoyoustaywarminthewinter,coolinthe
summer,andavoidhugeenergybills.
5. Understand which foundation type you will need for your home and how to correctly
prepareyoursiteforthedeliveryofyourcontainers.
6. Receive layout and design tips throughout the guide to help you decide exactly what your
containerhomewilllooklike.
7. Receive a simple, easy to follow, DIY guide which will make your dream container home a
reality.
8. Understandhowtosafelyplananddesignadreamhomefitforyourfamily.
Youcanpurchasethefullguideexclusivelyfrom:
http://www.containerhomeplans.org/book/
ManyThanks,
TomWoods

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