Refrigerator 40' container

So you want a container.  You know it needs to be insulated, but what exactly will fit your needs?  Containers come in two styles – standard shipping container and refrigerator (reefer) containers.  Here are some general rules of thumb that might be helpful.

1)      Refrigerator containers are ideal when you need to store items at a particular temperature year round and you have a power source to run the container.  They are considerably more expensive than standard containers, which may play a role in your decision-making.

Inside refrigerator container

2)      If you are storing general items, the standard containers are great.  Standard containers are used around the world, year round for transporting the vast majority goods manufactured year round.

3)      If you are modifying the container, standard containers are much preferred to refrigerator containers.  Refrigerator containers have loose insulation between two walls, which makes modifications a huge headache.  Also, if you are using the container for living space, you will be very disappointed with a refrigerator container floor.  They are grooved to drain any liquid away from items being stored.  While that is great if the container isn’t plugged in and you are storing ice cream.  It is not as great if you want to live in the container.

Inside used 40'

One other consideration for those who are modifying containers – if you plan on adding electricity or plumbing, you will want to insulate the container once you have added those and done all your modifications.

If you still have questions about which is the right one for you, please call us and we can discuss your needs further.

Modified container

Modifications. Containers are great building blocks.  You can use them as is, or you can simply cut a few holes and add a few modifications and you can drastically change the purpose of a container.  Extra doors and windows are the most common modifications, but some people get very fancy and will build homes out of them.

AC Heat Kit with cage

We can help you with your modifications in two ways:  1)  have your container provider modify them for you; or 2) purchase a kit so you can modify it yourself.  Modification costs and options will vary depending where in the country you are located.  In some locations you can get electric work installed, in others that has to be done after the purchase.  Kits are another great for adding doors, windows, AC/heat, skylights, partitions, etc.  Specialty kits are available as well if you already have a feature you want added on, but just need a frame to install it.

Container Office

Storm shelters/root cellars. This is a very common use for containers.  People either bury them completely in the ground or put them into a hill.  There are pros and cons to either option.  Not the least of which is if you have a hill handy!  Some things to keep in mind when creating your storm shelter/root cellar is 1) to protect the container from the elements, 2) to protect the container structurally,3) to follow local zoning.

Protect your container from the elements.  This can be adding a protective moisture barrier and providing proper drainage so your container isn’t sitting in an underground puddle.  Also, protect your container structurally.  They are designed to bear enormous weight on the four corners of the container, not directly into the wall and roof of the container.  Please keep in mind local zoning rules may also dictate how you install your storm shelter/root celler.
For a video of how one person solved these issues, watch this video:

For more detailed information on both of these topics, also see our previous posts:

Do It Yourself Container Modifications

5 Tips for Planning Your Container Root Cellar or Storm Shelter

Great year-round storage

Farmers, as a group, have some of the largest storage needs of everyone.  Equipment, livestock, feed, grain, not to mention all the other stuff and toys that seems to accumulate on a farm!  Containers are a great addition to a farm because they can grow with your needs.  Containers can:

• Provide insect- and rodent-proof storage for hay and grain
• Provide dry storage for equipment
• Offer extra storage space without the hassle of getting another building approved for your property
• Be moved from location to location as your needs change
• Have holes sections out and put out in pastures as shade for livestock
• Provide the base for a root cellar or storm shelter

Can you ever have enough storage space?

The sky is the limit!  Wind and water tight containers provide a unique solution to keep items free from pests and moisture and those larger nuisances – like trespassers, pesky teenagers, etc.

Even storage for those out of the way places

Whether you have a large farm or just a hobby farm, we’re asking – What are you using containers for? How would you like to use one?  If you have one, did you modify yours?   Here’s a great chance to share with others.

1)       Zoning. Are there any state, county, or city zoning laws that would restrict where or how you bury a container?  This may vary depending on where you are, what the ground is like in your area, and how far into the ground you want to go. You can go the range from buried underground, nestled into a hill or embedding the container just far enough into the ground to be secure. Either way, zoning rules may apply. Start with a quick search of your city and county websites, then follow up with phone calls to offices listed on the sites. Take notes on the calls—and as decisions are made, “get it in writing” if you can.

2)      Placement. Is your plan to bury the container completely? Just far enough that a tornado won’t send it to Oz? In working out placement details, be sure to think through how you will use your container. If it will be a root cellar, will you build your container into a hill with steps and a door? If it will be an underground storm shelter, how will you provide access in and out? Keep in mind that the more deeply a container is buried, the greater the planning.

3)      Structure. If you will bury your container, even partially, how will you ensure that it withstands the pressure of earth? Containers were made not to be buried, but to be stacked on a ship. Only the four corner posts of a container are load bearing, with the sides strong enough to support only the roof. You’ll need to plan on building a retaining wall around the container location. Be sure to include drainage so that heavy rains won’t leave your container submerged in water. If your cellar or shelter calls for completely covering your container’s roof, you’ll also need to build a platform to push all the weight to the 4 corner posts (products are on the market to do this). Never simply bury a container or it will collapse.

4)      Moisture. Containers are wind and water tight, but think about how you will prep your buried container against earthen moisture. The container floor has treated plywood on steel cross-members. You will want to seal under the floor—and probably will want to set it on a cement slab foundation. In addition, you will need to seal your container with roofing tar, plastic tarps, or truck bedliners (such as RhinoLinings). A little research will help you find the most cost-effective solution for your container use and location.

5)      Ventilation. If you’re turning your container into a storm shelter, you’ll want to make sure it will have good ventilation and air flow for the people who will use it. You’ll also want to add an extra door—ideally a man-door with a panic bar so it can be opened safely from inside and so that no one can be accidentally locked in.

For an example of one being installed, see this video.  They approached some of the issues listed above a little differently, but it still provides some great ideas.

Once you have your container cellar or shelter in place, the rest is pretty easy—making sure your root cellar has the right humidity level for vegetables or that your shelter is outfitted to work well as a storm refuge. If you’re just beginning to start your cellar or shelter project, please keep in mind that SuperCubes offers a variety of kits to help you modify your container—and we’re always happy to provide friendly advice as well.