Turn a Storage Container Into a Shelter
Public interest in sustainable housing has encouraged builders to recycle existing resources. Since shipping containers, commonly referred to as inter-modal steel building units or ISBUs, are perfectly suited for this application, many companies have built a business out of converting them into shelters, homes and even commercial buildings. A typical 8 foot by 8 foot by 40 foot container is just as roomy as a class-A motor home. With a starting price of about $2,000, ISBUs are an incredible bargain that can be ready for occupancy in 90 days or less.
Instructions
1. Lay the foundation. Pick a site for your ISBU and level it out by filling in low spots with earth you remove from the high spots. Clear off all brush, rocks, stumps and other obstructions.
Use your tape measure, chalk line marker and framing square to lay out the footprint of your ISBU. To insure a square layout, check the diagonals between your corners to make sure they have the same length. Drive stakes into the corners and both sides of the middle to mark spots for your railroad ties.
Spread a six-inch bed of gravel so it extends a foot beyond your stakes in all directions. Drop your outer ties just inside your corner stakes and center the middle tie between the middle stakes.
Use a laser level to align the ties with each other and remove or add gravel to make needed adjustments. Take out the stakes when your ties are level.
2. Get a suitable container. When you find an ISBU that matches your search criteria, check the door's data plate to find out when it was manufactured and what its safety and customs approval history is. Find out if it's warped by checking the diagonals of the top and one side to verify that they're the same length. Finish up with a visual inspection for joint and flooring damage, weld problems, fastener issues, panel deformations and old repairs.
3. Prepare the shell. After the delivery company has dropped the ISBU on your foundation, use a rotary sander and steel wool to remove rust and stains. Pressure wash the exterior to clean off remaining debris. When the ISBU has dried, measure and mark your door and window locations and cut them out with the angle grinder. Mask the openings and spray the exterior with ceramic insulation coating, which will reduce inside temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
4. Frame the interior. Measure and cut two by two inch studs with your circular saw so they fit snugly between the floor and ceiling of your ISBU. Place a stud every two to four feet and run a bead of liquid nails along the edge before hammering it into place. Fill the space between studs with fiberglass insulation. Use construction adhesive to fasten your paneling or drywall to the studs. If you want utilities, run the lines before you cover the studs.
5. Install the windows and doors. Build a two inch by four inch frame inside each opening where you'll be mounting vinyl windows or pre-hung doors. You won't need frames for storm windows since they fit over the openings and screw in from the outside. Use expanding foam to fill in the gaps around your door and window frames and the edge of your storm windows.
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