Step by Step 20’ Shipping Container Modification - Our Favorite Insulated Modular Interior Wall System
This Shipping Container Modification Step by Step video will explain our favorite way to frame, insulate and line a sea container.
Follow us along as we design this container into a modular interior structure using CSM brackets, strut channel and steel stud framing, spray foam insulation, and white PVC reline car wash panels.
We will also show you how to install access hatches on either end of the container, including how to weld a container door shut!
This unique container conversion is designed this way so the customer can pull cables longer than 20-feet through the sea can to work on it, couple it, and push it out the other end.
Purchase Container Modification World Products Featured in The Video
YouTube Video Transcript
0:00
Are you looking to frame, insulate, and line a shipping container?
0:03
Want to use something better than wood 2x4 studs?
0:06
Follow us along in this video as we use CSM brackets, strut channel framing, spray foam
0:13
insulation, and the white, PVC reline car wash panels that we love.
0:17
Stay tuned.
0:26
Hi, I'm Channing McCorriston, The Container Guy.
0:28
In this video, we'll allow you to follow along, step-by-step, as we perform a unique customer modification.
0:34
This customer has elected to use our modular interior systems.
0:38
We love this framing system.
0:40
It provides you a fully modular interior envelope, and then you can install anything anywhere
0:45
inside using the strut channel.
0:47
We've already installed the man door.
0:49
We'll hone in on how the half glass is installed in this video.
0:52
A couple other things we'll do, is we'll be installing two access hatches; one in the
0:57
container door, the other in the back end.
0:59
These insulated, fire-rated hatches will allow the customer to pull cabling through the container,
1:05
work on it, couple it, and then back out the other end so they can work on things that
1:09
are much longer than 20 feet inside this heated enclosed structure.
1:13
So there's different glass options for the doors.
1:15
We typically offer a sight glass, which is just the smaller glass portion that allows
1:22
you to see in and out.
1:23
And then there's the half glass which is pretty much half the door.
1:26
You can see it is a large window going in here.
1:30
So you got to be very careful where you're cutting that you leave some structure to the door,
1:33
and because this door has panic hardware on the inside, we have to be very careful
1:37
that we leave enough room for the lip of the frame for the glass.
1:41
If you want a full, in-depth video on how to install this window in a man door, check
1:46
out our installation video linked above and in the description below.
1:55
So we just got our order of uh strut strapping in. This is revision two.
2:00
What this stuff is, is it's strapping that wraps around the strut channel.
2:07
This provides us a flange now, so once we strut line a container, we have this nice
2:11
flange here that we can secure -- you could either plywood line in between the strut,
2:16
or we're going to be using reline panel. It's like a car wash panel, it's beautiful so.
2:20
We got to drill through the back of the strut and rivet these straps to each length of strut,
2:27
and then it'll all install normally with our CSM brackets.
2:32
So for this job here, we're really excited to be using our blast resistant CSM brackets.
2:37
So these will install -- they're a one piece unit rather than the two to make them a bit strong,
2:42
and they stick out a bit further so that allows for a full two inches of foam
2:46
to get all the way around the strut and the flange that's left afterwards.
2:51
So we're so swamped with mods right now that we actually have our electricians here, and
2:54
they're framing this container with the strut line system here.
2:58
The strut strappings are now all riveted to the strut channel, they're cut in place.
3:02
And then they just have to pre-drill and thread cutting screw right into that strut channel.
3:07
One thing to note here, and it's kind of important and I'll show you is, with these corner castings here,
3:12
once you put two inches of spray foam around there, you either got to build your
3:15
wall out away from the end wall to clear that so that you don't have an area that's condensating.
3:22
Or, you need to bring your roof down far enough so that you can get two inches of foam all
3:26
the way around that casting and have a nice vapor barrier.
3:30
We're about to install the access hatch frames, and before we do that we need to weld the
3:35
doors shut and remove the lock rods.
3:37
And one thing to note is right now we're not sitting level.
3:40
So, this corner casting, you can actually see -- yeah it's an inch and a half off the ground so.
3:46
We need to lift this container up, get it nice and level, make sure that the doorway is all square.
3:50
And then we'll jump inside while the door's shut, and then finish off welding this lock box here.
3:57
It’s been a while since customers have asked us to weld the doors shut on a shipping container.
4:02
If you’ve been following my channel and watching the videos, you know that I am not
4:06
a fan of welding on shipping containers.
4:09
So we’ve developed a bolt-the-container-doors-shut kit, which will allow us to do this much cleaner
4:14
and easier in the future.
4:17
Now that we've removed the door handles, we're just going to cut out the rough openings for
4:21
the access hatches and drop these panels.
4:24
Then we'll test fit them and see how they look.
4:30
So you've watched us remove the lock rods on the outside of the doors.
4:33
And we've filled the holes with bolts so that when we spray foam, nothing flies through the door.
4:39
We've also touched up uh the beautiful paint that we burnt by welding these doors shut.
4:44
And then it's -- get on to steel studding these so.
4:47
We'll start with the tracks, floor, and ceiling, and then start working out our spacing.
4:53
We really need to make sure that the studs end up at the same level as our galvanized
4:59
frames for the uh... the access hatches.
5:03
And then also on the sides here, we need to make sure we have backing so that we can install
5:09
the reline panel both on this flange and then we have something here after spray foam to
5:13
secure that reline panel to.
5:16
I just like to point out we love using steel studs not wooden studs because they're always
5:22
straight and they're super light.
5:24
Just to demonstrate here, like with one hand I can hold a bundle of 10 steel studs.
5:28
So, uh there's no way -- I know I'm strong and all, but there's no way I'd be able to
5:31
do that with 10 wooden 2x4's, so.
5:33
These are two and a half inch steel studs, so it also saves us one inch of interior room on either end.
5:38
So the steel studs, they got these loops for electrical and the uh the stiffener bars.
5:44
And then the tracks -- you'll have to buy tracks as well. So this goes on the bottom and the top.
5:48
And so, this doesn't have any of those holes in it, and it's actually just slightly wider
5:53
so that the stud fits in.
5:56
And then you can either use screws to screw right through and clamp these, or there's
6:01
actually a fancy tool that allows you just to crimp it.
6:05
And then it -- uh yeah -- it crimps the track to the stud, and you don't have to worry about, you know, using self tappers.
6:10
Especially when you use the thicker steel studs, it's actually quite difficult so.
6:14
The thinner gauge like this because we're spray foaming it and locking it in place anyway,
6:18
uh it's pretty easy to screw through and
6:21
we'll probably do a mix of both clamping and screwing so we'll show you both.
6:24
One thing to note about steel studs is if you're planning on using the stiffener bars,
6:28
uh you need to make sure that they're all at s -- the the same height to actually get
6:32
the stiffener bar through it so.
6:33
You always got to be measuring either from the top down or the bottom up, uh and
6:38
make sure that, yeah, you're -- you're always doing that consistently, cutting in the right spot.
6:42
And so for this one here, I think we measured 89 and a quarter.
6:51
And so I always have to be making sure that now I'm measuring from the end that has the
6:56
electrical grommet hole and working my way back, and cutting this excess off so that,
7:01
yeah, all my holes are neatly lined up.
7:04
A lot of people are kind of nervous to work with steel studs because they're used to wood
7:07
and they've used wood all their lives, but with steel studs, it's so light and you can
7:11
kind of slowly dry fit everything before even securing it all together.
7:16
And once you've done it once, well then now you have experience with it and you can do it so.
7:20
I encourage everyone to give it a try with your next container mod project.
7:25
So here the track's kind of in place.
7:30
You just insert your stud and turn.
7:34
And then this is that crimping tool that I was talking about, so it -- you can just...
7:45
It just punches the two sheets of metal together and holds them in place.
7:57
So I have the top and bottom track and side studs secured together but just loose.
8:02
And so now, if we're happy with the way everything looks, we'll just make sure we got it all squared up.
8:07
We can secure the tracks to the floor and the ceiling, and then mark either 16 inches
8:12
on center or 24 inches on center, whatever you'd like to do for securing your wall covering.
8:18
Now placing all the inner studs is pretty easy, and just remember these steel studs
8:21
are non-structural, so you don't need crazy headers and footers above your -- your windows
8:27
and your doors and all that stuff.
8:28
This is just meant to hold the wall covering that's coming in this container.
8:32
We’ll be posting a full, in-depth tutorial on how to steel stud a container.
8:37
So make sure you subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss that video.
8:44
Originally on this project, these access hatches were meant to be on both sides of the end wall,
8:49
and not in the container doors and the end wall.
8:51
So the workbench would be right here and that's where they'd work.
8:54
And uh, if that was still the case we really wanted to try out strut lining the end wall
9:00
and coming up with the method of rounding the corner with the reline panels.
9:04
But that's not the case now, the customer had a change of heart.
9:07
And so we are stuck with the steel studs on the end wall here, which we still like but.
9:13
Spray foamers coming here shortly, and I need to make sure that he's all trained up on where
9:18
I want him to insulate, especially the tight areas, and where I do not want foam so.
9:25
Make sure you walk around with your spray foam contractor, the guy who's actually spraying.
9:30
Let him know exactly, you know, what your plans are, how you're finishing it.
9:36
And then make sure that they're taping off all the -- the front faces of the studs and
9:41
the strut channels, so that none of that is all covered in foam.
9:53
So spray foamer's finished up; looks like they did an awesome job.
9:56
They have all these strut channels locked into the foam, so now it's nice and solid.
10:01
And they've also locked in all the steel studs on the end wall.
10:04
So the next step is to install the access hatches.
10:07
I'll also be installing our reline wall panels between the struts and on the end walls.
10:14
And the electrician and plumber will be finishing up the air conditioner, the mini split unit on the back end wall.
10:21
So given the customer has requested these access hatches, we've developed a special frame.
10:26
And now that it's all spray foamed on the inside, comes time we need to install the access hatch itself so.
10:31
Here we have an insulated -- it's actually fire rated -- hatch that will install nicely in the frame.
10:39
You can go, you know, swing either to the right or the left, uh fit in well there and
10:44
then we're just gonna run a bead of silicone just to make sure that it's all sealed up,
10:48
and we're just gonna drill some holes evenly and then rivet this thing in place.
11:10
We figured these access hatches were going to be kind of a one off for this project but
11:15
uh, we actually just had a diamond driller customer walk through the yard, see them,
11:20
and order one for putting pipe through so. Maybe there is demand.
11:24
If there is, leave uh any comments below of whether you're looking for a product similar to this.
11:30
And if people are looking for it, I guess we can always make it, throw it on our website,
11:34
and have it available for you to purchase.
11:36
It's small enough that we can ship kind of anywhere on the planet.
11:38
So to give you an idea of these panels, it's a hollow honeycomb style structure so um that
11:45
adds durability to it.
11:47
And it's about a quarter inch thick, and this is a PVC panel.
11:52
I think it's class A fire rated.
11:54
It's good for a two hour fire-rated wall system when it's applied against a cement wall like
11:59
a basement or a car wash building.
12:01
It has the nailing flange up here.
12:04
So, with this, all we're gonna connect with is the two corners of the tabs that are left
12:10
on our strut strapping.
12:12
We have the J-channel.
12:15
So that J-channel installs to the strapping, and then you just start sliding and interlocking each piece.
12:20
So I'll just play Lego here and show you how these kind of go together.
12:29
We love that finish, it's so easy.
12:31
This thing can be pressure washed afterwards, so nice and bright and white, and so it reflects the light very well.
12:37
And then you got the super durable strut channel that's completely modular and you can install
12:42
anything anywhere in this container.
12:44
So this right here is our dream envelope, this is the dream finish.
12:48
A lot of what I've been working towards for the last two years has been working towards this goal.
12:54
So our window kits, our man door kits, the CSM brackets, uh the way that we strut line
13:01
the strut strapping, uh utilizing these reline wall panels is all working towards getting
13:06
this envelope right here, and it's gonna be so useful for engineers to walk into this
13:12
thing now and build a wastewater treatment plant, or a potable water plant, or an electrical
13:18
contractor to install uh all panels and transformers and switchgear and... or MCC shacks so.
13:25
This is my best version of a prototype of this wall system.
13:29
We'll hopefully be able to start pumping these out, and even potentially pre-building these
13:34
and stocking these because we get so many requests for this same thing.
13:37
The only real variance is like where the customer actually wants the door, and that's the kicker from stocking it.
13:43
And so on the end walls we've steel stud framed them normally, and then relined wall paneled.
13:48
We had to make sure that we installed backing up where the uh the head unit for the mini
13:53
split AC heat pump is going.
13:55
So, that's going to be installed shortly.
13:58
One thing that even electricians or contractors they're concerned about with container construction is:
14:04
Where are they going to enter in with their -- either their wiring or their -- their plumbing.
14:10
And a lot of times, people want us to weld in pipes or couplers or something so that
14:16
it's easy for them to run through, but if you're to --- we've done that and and to weld
14:21
in like a heavy wall steel pipe, now we have to frame around that, spray foam around that, finish around that.
14:27
And then furthermore, now you have steel on the outside transferring cold to the inside
14:33
of your -- your building and that's gonna condensate throughout the winter so.
14:36
The walls are only 1.6 millimeters thick.
14:39
If you're an electrician, your hole saw bit -- you're not going to wreck it going through
14:44
this wall as long as you oil your bit, and you can punch a hole kind of anywhere you want afterwards.
14:49
Just make sure you don't hit a stud.
14:50
Bring your wires in that way, and then just duct seal or foam insulate that hole,
14:56
you know, around the wire that you drilled to bring your utilities in.
15:09
So that right there is our favorite way to frame, insulate, and line a shipping container.
15:14
If you enjoyed this video, please give it a like.
15:16
If you'd like to see more, please subscribe to our channel and ring that notification bell.
15:20
And as always, check us out at tcg.ca.
15:24
Hope you learned something!
Step by Step 20’ Shipping Container Modification - Favorite Insulated Modular Interior Wall System
