Shipping container with side doors for storage

[jimglassford]

The original post was talking about shipping containers with side doors. All of the responses are about rear door containers. I never knew side door containers existed until I saw two here in Michigan listed on an online auction. They went for approximately $10,000 each and the buyer had to move them. They did look like they were in as new condition.

 

[BlueKnife]

The original post was talking about shipping containers with side doors. All of the responses are about rear door containers. I never knew side door containers existed until I saw two here in Michigan listed on an online auction. They went for approximately $10,000 each and the buyer had to move them. They did look like they were in as new condition.

I've seen those listed a couple places but never understood why anyone bought them. You can put up a building with more square footage that's more conveniently laid out for less money.

 

[redman135]

OP I recommend that you put the container about 1ft off the ground so that cats can get under easily. This discourages vermin and provides good under floor ventilation. If you are going to put in shelving I also recommend a high cube container.

 

[ArlyA]

The original post was talking about shipping containers with side doors. All of the responses are about rear door containers. I never knew side door containers existed until I saw two here in Michigan listed on an online auction. They went for approximately $10,000 each and the buyer had to move them. They did look like they were in as new condition.

I'd like to see one of these side door units.

 

[keg99]

Regarding the question about a foundation, you only need four corner supports. They are made to rest on the corners, not in the middle or elsewhere. I agree with setting them up high to let cats get in. But also to avoid the long term effect of rusting out the bottom of the container if they lay flat on the ground. (Just watch, in a few years you will be able to buy used ones from an ad like this: "Container for sale. Good walls and roof. Floor has built in ventilation.")

The other big issue to deal with - if you want to be able to go in and out easily - get rid of the latching mechanism. They are made to be very secure, which makes them very difficult to deal with opening frequently. Four latching mechanisms and, to open each door, you have to operate two at a time, simultaneously. For mine, I am planning to grind off the bolt connections from the inside and remove either all or maybe just leave one.

Another issue with the latching mechanism . . . they hang down several inches below the floor elevation. This means you cannot build a smooth ramp up to the entrance. You have to keep the outside low to allow the doors to swing open. Driving in a riding mower, for example, can require laying down boards as a ramp.

Regarding two containers with a roof in between - that is one of the best ideas for a quick shelter or shop area. Here is one approach by the YT channel Diesel Creek:

 

[scootr]

You just posted exactly what I have been considering. Placing two far enough part, side by side and a roof over them. My biggest concern is definitely the heat and the condensation. I live in a area that gets very hot and humid in the Summer. I know equipment in enclosed trailers, especially dark ones, literally bake. I was talking to someone today about them that has access and can deliver them.

Another concern of mine, mostly that I just got is how they are going to look. I see people on YouTube using Harbor Freight paint systems to paint them which seems to really make them more palatable to look at. That is semi important to me. Again though my biggest concern is even if I plan a roof, I would probably still plan to ventilate them somehow. A couple fans maybe, like one intake and one exhaust on each.

So my question would be what did you neighbor use for base? Concrete all the way, gravel all the way, a mixture perhaps?

Neighbor put gravel under the containers. I think he got trusses from a truss company that had cancelled order stock cheaper than regular stuff. See if you have a truss builder local.
I was in my container yesterday marveling at how clean every thing was in there. Cleanest room on the ranch!
It would be nice to have a concrete slab in the middle and back wall... after that - a front door... now we have a barn! lol
Mine still gets hot. Never did cut the whirly bird vents into the roof - probably why it stays so clean inside.

 

[2manyrocks]

I suspect the container would be cooler inside if the roof were run to entirely cover the container top and then air could flow between the top of the container and the roof. And the sun would beat down on the roof instead of directly on the container top.

 

[Hexa Fox]

Mine still gets hot. Never did cut the whirly bird vents into the roof - probably why it stays so clean inside.

I suspect the container would be cooler inside if the roof were run to entirely cover the container top and then air could flow between the top of the container and the roof. And the sun would beat down on the roof instead of directly on the container top.

This is my largest concern. I know there are places that get hot in California but I literally live in a swamp. So when the temperature gets up it is like being on a planet with a different atmosphere and gravity. As in when you walk outside you literally feel like someone ties a 50lb weight to you.

I am really thinking about ordering two of the 20' containers to start with and pouring a slab of concrete or doing some kind of foundation like your neighbor has. It would immediately solve a lot of my storage issues and hopefully be all I need in the future.

I know CA has to one of the most different states when it comes to regulations when you consider I am in WV. Having that said, I wonder what how high it would raise my taxes, homeowners etc? Because if you correctly value it as opposed to say a garage you are talking about a tiny fraction of the cost. So even if a tree fell on it you are still talking a minimum amount of money to replace it all. This is something a lot of people do not think about around here. The huge cost of a permit, insurance, and taxes. I am sure CA is worse.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd like to see one of these side door units.

I've saw many military versions of 40ft milvans with dividing walls and 3 side doors creating 3 different lockable storage units. Had two of them at my last Company.

 

[jimglassford]

I'd like to see one of these side door units.

You can order one on E-Bay for $20,000

 

[BukitCase]

"I suspect the container would be cooler inside if the roof were run to entirely cover the container top and then air could flow between the top of the container and the roof. And the sun would beat down on the roof instead of directly on the container top."

2Many, I can confirm your suspicions completely - I have 5 containers; a 20' standard, 2 40' standards and 2 40' Hi Cubes - The 20' is presently the ONLY one with a roof - roof is 24' x 24', which leaves about a 14' wide x 24' area BESIDE the container where my gantry crane, O/A welder and some storage shelves live - that is the ONLY container that (partly from a couple shade trees, but mostly the roof) is ALWAYS the same temperature as the outside air - I've never seen condensation or any other problem in that one in just over 10 years.

The two standard 40's are end to end, making an 80' long storage area 12' away from, and parallel to, my (mostly) wood shop - whenever the sun shines, those two (with unfettered southern exposure) need to have some sort of ventilation or they COOK whatever's inside them; presently this is done with exhaust fans hung just inside one of the doors, a royal PITA that I have greenhouse cooling systems in house (but yet to be installed) - once those are done (involves some plasma cutting and impenetrable inlet vents, plus the automatic exhaust fans)

The two 40' Hi cubes are side by side, and eventually will get a slab poured and relocated - looking at putting a 48'x60' pole structure over the whole thing, which will give about 30x60 enclosed space for working on the bigger equipment - 25' scissor lift, 50' boom lift, 2 tractors, backhoe, 6 yd dump truck, etc.

Without the fans on (20" commercial in each container) I've measured (60 degree day, slight breeze, full sun) as much as 150 degrees F inside ALL 4 using an IR temp gun. The fans drop it to around 100-110 degrees. The northern HiCube stays a little cooler because it's shaded by the southern one, which has full southern exposure on the south side.

Would I do it that way again? Maybe not exactly, but yeah; partly because I have a "neighbor" on one side that needs to be reminded from time to time that I really DO have a 12 gauge AND a backhoe, and am too old and cranky to think FIRST - I musta got the "Dirty Harry" character pretty close, 'cause in the last few years things've settled down over there noticeably

Pics or it didn't happen ... Steve

Oh, the roof frame is mostly .120 wall 2" tube with some 1/4" wall where needed, still gotta fab double doors for both ends and a wall (right side of pic for a drive-thru) - The entire roof is modular, eventually I want to put a 3 car garage with a partial second story that would just clear that gray triangle near the center - the open side is framed in 3 identical 8'x12' modules that are bolt together, so that side can be dismantled in 3 sections.

Also, the jacks are HF's 20 ton air/hydraulic, I used some 3/4x3 FB and made a couple of "sorta" toe jack conversions - I re-plumbed the air control a bit so I could have either one jack on each side or on each end, and control BOTH from wherever I needed to be to see what I was doing. Works OK, but I'd do the toe jack adapter a bit different next time...

 

[Hexa Fox]

Without the fans on (20" commercial in each container) I've measured (60 degree day, slight breeze, full sun) as much as 150 degrees F inside ALL 4 using an IR temp gun. The fans drop it to around 100-110 degrees. The northern HiCube stays a little cooler because it's shaded by the southern one, which has full southern exposure on the south side.

Exactly what I have been talking about. I knew that enclosed trailers, especially darker colored ones could get much, much hotter than the ambient temperature outside on days with full sun. So I knew a giant metal container would only prove more problematic.

So you are confirming that the roof makes a considerable difference? As in alone it makes it close to ambient temperature outside? I am really looking into what Scootr said his neighbor had. Two containers separated far enough apart to have an open area in the middle. If the roof and maybe a couple vents keep them cool then I am very interested. We have a HOA that does not like stuff like this. However, I was thinking if they were painted and had a nice roof over them no one would give me too much trouble. Plus I want them to look good anyway.

 

[ArlyA]

Since used cargo trailers seem to be coming down in price, I'm no longer paying attention to the shipping containers. Nonetheless, if I had one, I'd cut holes in it and install add high and low venting to get the heat out. You can do this and keep the mice out at the same time.

 

[MTGreen]

This is what I noticed also. Preccovid a WWT 20' was $2700. Now $3700. That's more than a 10x16 shed and it dosnt look terrible like a container.

For refrence I'm about 5hrs from the port in NJ.

Wow that's cheap containers are 5k+ for 20' and 6.5k+ for 40' here

 

[BukitCase]

"I'd cut holes in it and install add high and low venting to get the heat out. You can do this and keep the mice out at the same time."

Arly, exactly my plan; I already have 4 complete "greenhouse systems" - exhaust is a 16" fan with thermostat control, will go opposite end of side wall from doors, near ceiling. Inlet is 24" louvered, actuated when exhaust fan is on, will go 2' inside door near the floor.

I have most of the parts cut out and templates made so I can plasma cut from inside - I made the templates so they can be held against the wall with a "cargo bar" from inside, they have "outriggers" ( think "4-legged spider") that'll keep the template from exiting the container along with the cutout.

The 24" inlet needs to keep out small, medium and large pests (think bugs, mice, squirrels and "2-legged"

Hexa Fox, yes - that's EXACTLY what I meant. If the sun can't get to ANY PART of the container, then the only thing that can heat it (without an actual heater inside) is ambient air... Steve

 

[ArlyA]

"I'd cut holes in it and install add high and low venting to get the heat out. You can do this and keep the mice out at the same time."

Arly, exactly my plan; I already have 4 complete "greenhouse systems" - exhaust is a 16" fan with thermostat control, will go opposite end of side wall from doors, near ceiling. Inlet is 24" louvered, actuated when exhaust fan is on, will go 2' inside door near the floor.

I have most of the parts cut out and templates made so I can plasma cut from inside - I made the templates so they can be held against the wall with a "cargo bar" from inside, they have "outriggers" ( think "4-legged spider") that'll keep the template from exiting the container along with the cutout.

The 24" inlet needs to keep out small, medium and large pests (think bugs, mice, squirrels and "2-legged"

Hexa Fox, yes - that's EXACTLY what I meant. If the sun can't get to ANY PART of the container, then the only thing that can heat it (without an actual heater inside) is ambient air... Steve

Well, not really. I'd do it withone any fans.

It’s All About Airflow​

Roof ventilation is based on the simple fact that warm air rises. In summer, the sun heats air in the attic. In winter, heat from your home warms attic air. In either season, good venting occurs when cool air can enter the attic near the eaves and exit near the peak. Ideally, half of the vent area should be low and half high. The ultimate goal is that the temperature and humidity levels in the attic space match the conditions outdoors.

 

[BukitCase]

Yeah, I agree; I forgot to mention the "manual" mode my kits have, lets you keep the inlet louvers open WITHOUT the fan running - not quite ideal, but I need to be able to work inside during hot weather so having the option of power ventilation should keep things noticeably cooler inside (the inlet louvers will be on the North side)

Here's a preliminary sketch I did a few years ago, note the cutout between containers at fronts, and plenum at far back - North container will be steel storage/welding/crane, South one tools/machining. Outer walls may change, I want the most open space I can get... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Oh, some OTHER good news (for me, anyway) - I already have all the channel and I beam for this project, bought it just before I retired 10 years ago, it's stored in one of the standard 40's (occasionally I do something right)

 

[marhar]

I'd like to see one of these side door units.

Here is one that is 40ft by 8ft. This unit has rear doors and then two sets of side doors. This is the kind of unit I am thinking about. I have seen a wide range of prices from new at 13K to used ones at just under 6K.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Wow that's cheap containers are 5k+ for 20' and 6.5k+ for 40' here

Yep, there are some in an auction here. The final auction isn't until tomorrow, but the "pre-bids" are approaching those prices already! And it doesn't include delivery, which you have to arrange after you 'win' them.

Far cheaper to build, and build right!