What Is The Process For A Container Conversion?
Friday 16 June 2023 Filed in: General
Ever wondered how a humble shipping container gets transformed into an office, shop, food stall, garage or workshop? Read on if you want to uncover some of our tricks of the trade.
By the time you've start planning your container conversion you'll already know what you need it for. It could be for one of the above, in which case there are plenty of examples to guide you on our website case studies pages. Or you might have something in mind that's a bit different, either in design, or purpose. So the first step is to decide what modifications and features you need for your conversion, and will draw up a CAD for your approval.
Explore our range work to help get you started and give you an overview of the process for a container conversion. You'll find lots of examples of our standard container conversions, for example our ModiBox portable office. the GymBox home gym, and the MenuBox catering container In addition we display many of our bespoke conversions with unique designs and features.
Find out more about our different conversions types and uses on our page Shipping Container Conversions
Explore our range work to help get you started and give you an overview of the process for a container conversion. You'll find lots of examples of our standard container conversions, for example our ModiBox portable office. the GymBox home gym, and the MenuBox catering container In addition we display many of our bespoke conversions with unique designs and features.
Find out more about our different conversions types and uses on our page Shipping Container Conversions
What type of container do you require?
This is always the first step in planning. Opt for a used, new, or new build container as the base for your container conversion. What you choose depends upon the price range you're looking at, how much life you need to get out of your building, and whether or not you have any special requirements in terms of size. For most conversions a standard used or new shipping container is a good choice. They are great value for money and can be cut down to any length. So basically they are suitable for any size between 6ft and 40ft - and everything in between! All shipping containers are 8ft wide, and either 8ft 6in or 9ft 6in high, so if you need more width then ask for a new build container. Although the price tag is higher, as it's a bespoke build "from scratch", you can have up to 4ft extra width. Alternatively we can use standard 8ft wide container and that can adapted to be joined together on-site. Extra wide containers work well for office and garage conversions.Conversion essentials - doors and windows
Once your shipping container has been selected, and cut down to the right size if necessary, completing the steel work is the next step in the container conversion process. If the container has been cut down it needs welding to make it complete, which involves creating a new back wall, door, or sometimes both. You will already have chosen the door type(s) for your container and the number and positioning of windows. For any additional doors, personnel doors, side doors, roller shutters or patio style doors, apertures are cut into the container and frames created using box section steel to then fit the doors and windows into. A choice of three styles of serving hatches and shutters can be fitted into catering conversions.Other nice little additions include sloping roofs and living roofs, which give the conversion extra visual appeal, along with keeping water off the container roof and encouraging bio diversity. The green roof is popular with school's looking for a portable classroom, especially for outdoor learning.