Containers stack nicely corner-post to corner-post
Containers are great for stacking. They are like adult Legos to put together in combinations that fit your needs. But here are a few things to consider when planning your container stacking.*
1) The quality of your container. When you are stacking containers, you want to make sure the bottom container(s) are structurally sound enough to handle stacking. Generally speaking wind- and water-tight containers, cargo-worthy and one-trip containers will all be fine for stacking. For cargo-worthy and one-trip containers, you can stack them 9 high. For wind- and water-tight containers, you will want to inspect the sub-flooring and corner posts to make sure that they have not be damaged or worn out.
Notice that the corner posts exend lower than the flooring and above the roofing. Also, the wide spread on the 20' fork pockets
2) Corner-post to Corner-post. Containers are designed for stacking on ships. On ships they stack like-sized containers one right on top of another, lining up corner-post to corner-post. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the corner-posts sit just a little lower than the bottom of the container and just a little higher than the top of the container. The corner-posts and flooring of the container are designed to bear the weight of the container and the container(s) above it. So you want to do the same with your stacking. If you are stacking 2×20’ containers and 1×40’ container, be sure that the 20’s are on the bottom so all four corner-posts of the 40’ container have corner-posts to set on. If you do the reverse, the 20’ corner-posts will not have proper support and the 20’s could fall through the roof of the 40’. If your design does not allow for this, then just build in supports for the corner-posts.
3) Locking containers together. When containers are loaded on ships, they are lashed together. This prevents containers from slipping around on the ocean. If you want to create more stability for your stacked containers, you can get these twistlocks to lock your containers together as well. They are a minor investment for a big peace of mind.
Container forklifts pick up 20's and 40's from the top corner posts
4) The actual stacking. So the plans are nice, but how do you DO it? Generally speaking you will need a forklift or crane to set the containers in place. The trucks that set containers down cannot stack them. They simply slide the container off the truck, so they cannot stack. Some forklifts can pick up containers. Container forklifts pick them up from above and can handle 20’s and 40’s. Forklifts that operate with forks need to be checked for a few details:*
The forklift pockets on 20’ containers are 69” from the inside of one pocket to the inside of the other pocket. The forklift needs to be able to spread that far apart.
If the forklift cannot manage that, then the forks (or fork extensions) need to be at least 8’ long so the forklift can pick the container up from underneath. But if the forks are not long enough, they will poke through the floor of the container.
40’ containers generally do not have forklift pockets, so you will need 8’ long forks to pick them up.
Container forklifts can stack higher than standard forklifts
20’ containers weigh 5,000 pounds and 40’s weigh just shy of 10,000 pounds, so forklifts need to be able to handle that kind of weight.
As in all larger projects, you want to have someone familiar with the limitations of the forklift inspect the project before starting any work. They need to make sure other factors are being addressed (level ground, other environmental concerns, etc) to be sure that everything goes safely and smoothly.
If your forklift cannot handle the project, you may have to hire a crane to stack the container. Our recommendation is to find the closest crane and material handling company to the site help you out as they generally charge for travel, set-up and work time. They can help you find the right equipment to handle the job.
Have fun! Be safe! Start stacking!
* Super Cubes does not take responsibility for the safety of projects like this. These are meant as guidelines, not an exhaustive list of things to consider before taking on a project like this. But hopefully this has helped you with the initial planning stages of your project.
You want an office container. Maybe because you need to move it around. Maybe because you think they look great. Maybe because you aren’t zoned for more than that. All are great reasons for using a container as an office. You know what you want in terms of doors and windows. But now you need the container and the modifications to make it a reality. Today we’ll take three ways to get your office. You may need to use a mix of all three of them.
1. Do It Yourself. You’re handy. It is what drew you to the container office in the first place. But you don’t
Split containers into multiple offices or office and storage space
need to reinvent the wheel, so what is the best way to modify your container? We offer kits that are designed to fit into the corrugation of the container. Our kits come with everything you need except for cutting and welding know-how and equipment. Cut the hole in the container the size the kit tells you, weld into place the framing and then add in the door, window, skylight, etc. We offer kits for a wide variety of modifications. Our most popular ones are: personnel doors, roll-up doors, windows, HVAC, partitions (with and without doors), louvered and turbine vents and skylights. You can add insulation, electricity and plumbing just like you would any other building.
We can epoxy the floor in some locations
2. Do It Mostly Yourself. You can weld, but the cutting part sounds like a pain. Or you have a feature you picked out for yourself – a door, nice window, etc. And you’d like some help with getting it put in. We can cut or cut and frame holes into your container for you. Then all you have to do is pop in the door or window youself when your container arrives. If you have an item you want to add in, but want the framing to fit into the corrugation of the container, we can provide you with just the framing as well.
3. We do it for you. You don’t want to bother with it. You just want it to come ready to go. We can modify containers for you. We’ll add in the doors, window, HVAC so you can start working in the container the next day,. We can insulate the container for you as well. We do not offer electric services
Service doors are easy to install
in most locations, but do have some locations where we can add in basic lights and electricity. If you do your own electric and plumbing work, we recommend you insulate the container after that work is done. We can also lay down new flooring over the existing flooring.
Regardless of how you want to modify your office container, we can help you.
Pre-made 10-person tornado shelter from www.stormsheltersonline.com
Already this year we have seen devastating tornados. With the unusual winter and now early spring, forecasts call for a record number of storms and tornados. Many people in storm-prone areas are looking to protect themselves. Maybe you are one of them. A storm shelter seems like a good idea. But what kind? Do you install it yourself? How big does it need to be? Where should you put it? How much work do you want to put into it? Let’s explore some of those questions today.
First off, I am not storm shelter expert. But I do know containers. Secondly, let me say that containers are not the answer for everyone.
What kind of storm shelter should get you get? Ultimately, only you know what is right for you. But there are several basic types to choose from. There are pre-made, underground tornado shelters. There are storm shelters that are pre-made that you install above ground in your house, outside or other locations. There are containers which you can modify and prep to function as a storm shelter.
Above ground shelter from www.crestprecastconcrete.com
You will want to look at what kind of storms you have. What works best for that? If you get hurricanes, going underground is a bad idea. If you live in a very flat area that gets hit by tornadoes regularly and live in a mobile home, perhaps underground is a better option. Ask around locally for advice. See if any of your neighbors have some. See what they recommend.
What size should you get? How many people do you need to accommodate? Most pre-made storm shelters will tell you how many people they can comfortably hold. Containers are generally larger than pre-made shelters, so might work if you have a larger group.
Where should you put it? This goes back to what kind of storms you have and also what kind of terrain you have. If you live in an area where there are no basements, that might be because going underground doesn’t work very well. If you have a hill and want to put the container into the hill, that might be a great solution, but check into what kind of soil you are working with. You want to make sure you are tailoring your solution to your land and your situation. What works for someone in another state may or may not work for you.
Underground shipping container, for more details see http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-video/shipping-container-as-an-underground-shelter/
How much work do you want to put into installing your storm shelter? If the answer is little to none, then you may want to consider a pre-made shelter and use their installation services. Some pre-made shelters offer various options where you can do some customization yourself or install it yourself. For those of you who like to do your own customized project start to end, then containers might be the answer for you. Containers do require more prep, more planning and more work than pre-made shelters. For information on how to convert a container into a storm shelter, check out our previous blog posts on this topic, Click here. You will want to make sure you have an engineer inspect your designs before starting.
The bottom line is that you have to find the solution that works best for you. Of course you need to take into consideration your budget and local zoning as well. One website that asks a lot of good questions is TornadoProject.com. Check them out for more questions to ask yourself. Make sure you choose the best option for your needs, your area and your land as well. But above all, please stay safe during severe weather.
Gear up for spring with this great weather with our March sale. Whether you need a container for a tornado shelter or construction storage, keeping all your toys for the lake safe or extra inventory out of your hair, we have the right container for you.
First up is a 20’ container that would make a great converted container. It is used, in great shape and has the old-fashioned planked flooring. It was painted a blue-green by its previous owner .
Next up is a nice, used 20’. This container is in nice shape and will blend into the woods in summer and winter.
And last but not least a 40’ standard container. While there is a ding in one corner of the container, it is ideal for storage. It is in great shape very minimal rust.
Check out more pictures of these containers below. Click on any picture to see a larger view. Please call for pricing!
You’re planning out your container. You can picture just where you want to put it. You can picture how you’ll fill it. But how close is the picture in your head to the measurements of the actual container? We have this info on our website, but sometimes it is nice to have it a few places! Here are the full specs on different containers:
Exterior Size
Interior Size
Length
Width
Height
Length
Width
Height
20′ container
20′
8′
8.5′
19′ 4.5″
7′ 8.5″
7′ 9.75″
40′ container
40’
8’
8.5’
39’4.5”
7′ 8.5″
7′ 9.75″
40′ high cube container
40′
8′
9.5″
39’4.5”
7′ 8.5″
8′ 9.75″
Weight (pounds)
Door Size
Max. Gross
Tare
Net
Width
Height
20′ container
52,190
5,140
47,770
7′ 8.25″
7′ 5.75″
40′ container
67,200
8,820
58,380
7’8.25″
7’5.75″
40′ high cube container
67,200
9,260
57,940
7’8.25″
8’5.75″
If you plan on anchoring your container because you’re in a windy area, here are the wind ratings on containers. Please not that you have to properly anchor the container to get these ratings.
Wind rating, when properly anchored
20’ 150mph
40’ 140mph
40’ HC 130mph
Because sometimes you just want to have that info handy!
If you are here, you have probably been hunting around on the internet, looking for prices. And, I’m guessing that you are frustrated that no one just puts their price right on their website. I’m here to explain why. Pricing is based on several factors – where the container is located, what size container do you want and what condition do you want. Add in market factors and delivery fees and there are other factors to the total price. Let’s look at them more carefully:
Used 40' and 40' high cube containers
1) Location. Containers are not generally available from shipping lines in every city. There are specific cities where shipping lines have containers. These are cities that are serviced by rail and trucking centers. When you are looking for a container, we match you up to the closest “container city”. Depending on which city that is, the price will vary. For example, a container coming out of Long Beach, CA is going to be much cheaper than a container coming out of Kansas City. There are more containers in Long Beach than Kansas City, so the price varies.
3) Condition. Containers come in different conditions. The industry categories include one-trip (“new”), IICL, cargo-worthy, wind- and water-tight and “as is”. For a full description of these categories, click here. Some suppliers use A, B, C grades, but those are subjective and will vary from supplier to supplier.
4) Market conditions. Container pricing fluctuates due to changes in the market. We have seen quicker price changes in the past 2 years.
5) Delivery. Most customers want the container brought out to them. We offer both ground-level and flat-bed delivery. Depending where you are located in relation to where the containers are, the prices will vary.
40' loaded for delivery
Since there are so many factors at play, container vendors need to know a little bit of information (usually a zip code or city/state, size, condition, delivery preferences as well as any special requests) from you to give you the most accurate pricing.
As winter winds down and spring construction plans heat up, it is a great time to think about jobsite containers. Does your construction company have a fleet of containers? If not, here are 4 ways jobsite containers can help you.
Storage. The most obvious use. Containers are great for storing equipment and supplies you need onsite. You don’t have to worry about company trucks showing up in the morning to get going on a project since everything is already waiting right there. You can have supplies delivered directly to the jobsite and store them safe and sound in your container.
Security. Company trucks full of company equipment are handy. But they can often end up going places you can’t control and they are not as secure as a container. If you keep your equipment locked up in a container onsite, you can control where things go and who has access to them.
Container office
Workshop. Containers make great onsite workshops. You can add lighting and even heating/AC to provide a safe work area when the weather isn’t cooperating. They can also function as break rooms, etc. as well.
Marketing. Containers are movable billboards that show the world you are working on a project. For some projects, you may want to paint the container to market the project itself. Other times, you want to let people know your company is the company onsite. You can paint the containers in your company colors and put your logo on them.
Containers onsite
You can add lockboxes on containers to give them extra security. 20’ containers weigh 5,000 pounds when they are empty, so they can be moved around fairly easily with standard equipment and moved around on your trucks.
Containers provide you with the extra, secure onsite space you need on your bigger projects at a reasonable cost.
So you either have a container or are going to buy a container and you want to paint it. But what all is involved? Like all painting project, planning! Today we will explore why you might want to paint a container and how to go about painting it.
Why
Why paint a container? The obvious reasons – to make it look nicer, make it blend in with your property, marketing, all of those usually reasons. But is there another reason? You bet! By painting your container you are putting one more layer between the steel in your container and the elements. That slows down rust, making your container last longer. Whatever your reason, painting is a good thing.
How to Prep Your Container
20' before painting
We’re going to assume you have a used container. One-trip/”new” containers generally don’t need painting. But used ones can come in a variety of colors, or variety of shades (or “spotted cow”) of a color you might not just love. Usually, your container will have markings from the shipping line and some surface rust on it. So what do you need to do to prep it?
Peel off the shipping line markings. You may need to get a razor blade out to do that, but they are just stickers, so they should come off. If you don’t care that much about the final product, you can skip this of course.
Wash the container. It has been in some not so clean places, it has sat in muddy yards and has grime and grit on it. Get the power-washer out and have at it.
Once the container is dry, check out the rust on your container. If you have a grinder, grind off any heavier rust. If it is just light surface rust, you can usually keep that. But remember – the more you prep, the better it looks in the end. Just be sure to grind right before you paint.
The same 20' after painting
Painting
There are 2 schools of thought on this one – to spray or to roll. Industrial paint sprayers can make the project go quickly and easily. If you don’t have access to one, you can roll the paint on as well. We recommend using an industrial, alkyd enamel. Industrial paint stores and Sherwin Williams can help you pick out just the right one. There are direct to metal and oil-based ones to fit your needs. Or feel free to call us for different paint numbers we have used in the past.
Finishing Touches
Once you get a nice coat of paint on your container, you can put finishing touches – from camouflage to murals. Just be sure that you continue to use container-friendly paints to finish your project.
Today I have 2 examples of gorgeous uses of containers. In both cases, the home-owners wanted to provide space for their guests to call their own and have their own privacy. In the first example, the home-owners installed a 40’ container on their property and outfitted it with a guest studio and bathroom, complete with a deck. Guests stay in their own building on the property.
In the second example, the home-owners did not want to cut up the open flow of their loft by creating unnecessary walls.
Guest Apartment Container
However, they realized their guests may enjoy privacy. So they had two 20’ containers set in their loft to create a guest apartment inside the loft as well as an office.
Both are amazing examples of how bringing in an architect to create the perfect balance of form and function to create memorable, private spaces. Read the fuller stories by clicking on these links: Guest House Container and Guest Apartment Container.
We are very excited today to have a guest author to the Saner Container. This author not only lives in a container home, he has shown it to the world on MTV’s “Cribs”. Sam Glassberg presented his home on “Cribs”, showing off the versatility and eco-friendly aspects of their shipping container home. Now he has shared some of his experiences with the Saner Container.
As a film and television student, being on a real television show was probably one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. It was also created one of the most awkward experiences of my entire life when a complete stranger came up to me in my college’s dining hall and said “I saw you on Cribs. I really liked your house”. Awkward for me because, well, I think that would be pretty awkward for anybody, but also amazing because I realized that people I don’t even know and didn’t tell to watch (probably the most I’ve tweeted or facebooked in my entire life) appreciate what my mom created.
I live in a house made of shipping containers. Weird. It’s a bit like a circus at times with the amount of people stopping to look at it on the street, and the amount of tours I’ve had to give, but I really love it. At first the idea seemed a bit crazy, but now it’s bizarrely normal. The house is composed of concrete, 5 shipping containers, glass, and metal and is truly a work of modern architecture. With geothermal heating, passive solar heating and lighting, and other recycled materials it’s also a house that gives back to the environment. It’s a structure to be envied by all, and luckily for those who envy it, it will soon be available for everybody to have.
Living room dining room and hall
In collaboration with local Kansas City architecture firm BNIM, my mother has begun creating new living, working, and retail spaces that will be available and affordable for nearly anybody. While my house is perfect in my eyes, new designs and configurations of this prefab design are going to be released in many different forms. It’s bespoke living. Studio apartments, dorm rooms, vegan restaurants, and boutique hotels are all ideas my mom had that are about to become a reality. If you can dream it, Debbie Glassberg and BNIM can build it.
For pictures and more information on Sam’s house, check out some of these links, pictures – and of course the MTV video:
KMBC, Kansas City’s ABC affiliate, ran a series on the Glassberg’s home. Follow their home being built:
