A Look At A Container Storage Garage: The Complete Framing, Insulating, & Finishing!

Robert Goodman
A Look At A Container Storage Garage: The Complete Framing, Insulating, & Finishing!

In today's video follow along as Channing shows you a shipping container garage/shop mod. Channing will walk you through the process of installing a man door, overhead garage doors, steel studding, insulating, plywood lining and finally painting the interior of a shipping container.

Installing Two Overhead Insulated Garage Doors in a 20 Foot High Cube Container

Johnny McCorriston, The Container Guy, walks through a full 20 foot High Cube container modification that includes:

  • Two insulated overhead garage doors

  • Steel stud framing

  • Spray foam insulation

  • Interior plywood lining

This project is designed for a general contractor who needs a durable, insulated job site storage container that can handle forklifts and skid steers.

Project Overview

The container had all door openings pre cut before arriving at the shop.

Major upgrades include:

  • Two overhead insulated garage doors installed on the side

  • Steel stud framing system

  • Spray foam insulation

  • Industrial plywood interior finish

The walkthrough covers framing strategy, door sizing challenges, insulation planning, and finishing decisions.

Man Door and Door Frame Preparation

When cutting openings in a container:

  • Always cut on outside corrugations

  • Deeper end wall corrugations require special rain drip profiles

  • Bottom corners may require grinding flush, but minimizing grinding reduces dust and cleanup

Door frame revisions include:

  • Adjusted headers and footers

  • Rivet repositioning for easier installation

  • Improved external accessibility

Overhead Garage Door Challenges

The build uses custom 7 foot 3 inch by 7 foot 3 inch insulated overhead doors.

However, lessons learned:

  • An 8 foot by 7 foot door is more practical

  • A 7 foot wide door is ideal for container interior clearance

  • High Cube containers are required to meet minimum egress height of 6 foot 8 inches

Standard height containers limit door height to roughly 6 foot 6 inches.

Commercial 3 inch thick door slabs with 15 inch radius hardware will not fit inside a container. This build uses:

  • 2 inch commercial door slabs

  • 2 inch residential hardware

  • 12 inch radius tracks

This combination fits within the tight container envelope.

Steel Stud Framing System

A new corner casting cover and steel stud bracket system was introduced.

Benefits include:

  • Clear stud placement references

  • Laser cut alignment slots

  • Proper 2 inch offset positioning

  • Improved spray foam access in corners

  • Reduced thermal bridging

Studs are not placed directly in inside corners to allow full spray foam coverage and continuous vapor barrier formation.

Framing begins at the ceiling and works downward, which differs from traditional bottom up framing.

Structural Considerations

Key framing insights:

  • Measure top track inside face to inside face

  • Cut vertical studs slightly shorter for proper fit

  • Use sufficient steel stud brackets for rigidity

  • Account for slight floor depth variations between container manufacturers

Stiffener bars are inserted into stud slots for additional rigidity.

The steel stud bracket system significantly reduces framing time while maintaining structural integrity.

Hardware and Fasteners

Different screws are used for different materials:

  • Self tapping screws for metal to metal

  • Wood thread screws for wood floors

  • Preferred screw size is #10 for easier driving and adequate shear strength

Correct fastener selection prevents stripping and breakage.

Spray Foam Insulation Strategy

Spray foam is strongly recommended over fiberglass.

Reasons include:

  • Eliminates condensation issues

  • Increases structural strength

  • Creates continuous vapor barrier

  • Prevents thermal bridging

Before spraying:

  • Tape all holes near doors

  • Seal electrical penetrations

  • Confirm stud alignment

  • Install stiffener bars

Proper preparation prevents foam leakage and uneven finishes.

Interior Lining: Plywood vs Re Line Panels

This build used painted plywood.

Pros:

  • Durable

  • Rugged

  • Functional for mounting

Cons:

  • Visible seams

  • Potential cracking during container movement

  • Industrial aesthetic

Re line wall panels are preferred for cleaner finishes that can be mudded and painted like drywall.

A triangular concrete form chamfer was used to trim inside corners for a cleaner appearance.

Overhead Door Fitment Issues

The installed 7 foot 3 inch wide doors slightly exceeded interior width.

Container interior width is approximately 7 foot 2 inches.

As a result:

  • Doors do not open fully

  • 7 foot wide doors are recommended

The integrated center spring mount plate was well received by the door installer and simplified hardware installation.

Final Results

After painting and trim:

  • The interior finish improved significantly

  • Minor cracks and sanding marks remain

  • Flashing kits created clean door transitions

The system is optimized for durability and job site performance rather than high end residential aesthetics.

Key Takeaways from The Container Guy

  • Spray foam is the best insulation method for container builds

  • Corner casting covers and stud brackets simplify framing

  • 7 foot wide overhead doors are ideal for containers

  • High Cube containers are required for proper head clearance

  • Plywood is functional but industrial in appearance

  • Pre spray preparation is critical for clean results

This project demonstrates a complete commercial grade container modification focused on strength, efficiency, and long term durability.