How to make a 20ft container shelter

A 20-foot (about 6 meters) container shelter is a small, flexible and economical building solution suitable for living, storage or emergency places. The following are the steps to make a 20ft container shelter.

1. Preparation and planning

• (1). Identify the needs:
• Living use: Consider lighting, ventilation, insulation and internal functional layout.
• Storage use: Pay attention to waterproofing, anti-theft and stability.
• Other uses: If it is a temporary office or camping site, unique features such as power systems or mobility designs can be added.

• (2). Draw a design plan:
• Internal layout: Determine door and window openings, furniture placement and partitions.
• Exterior design: Whether it is necessary to add a roof, decorate the exterior walls or install other structures.

• (3). Budget estimate:
• List the costs of container procurement, modification materials, tools and labor, and reserve a certain budget to deal with possible additional expenses.

2. Materials and tools preparation

• Materials:
• 20ft container: Choose a second-hand or new container in good condition.
• Insulation materials: such as polyurethane board, rock wool or glass fiber wool.
• Waterproof materials: waterproof coating, sealing strips.
• Decorative materials: wood board, gypsum board, PVC floor.
• Foundation materials: concrete blocks or steel beams to support the foundation.

• Tools:
• Welding machine, electric drill, cutting machine.
• Measuring tools, painting tools.
• Crane or forklift (for transporting and placing containers).

3. Foundation preparation

• (1). Foundation construction:
• Choose a concrete foundation or steel beam support according to the terrain to ensure that the foundation is level and solid.
• The foundation height should be slightly higher than the ground to avoid rainwater soaking.

• (2). Container placement:
• Use a crane to transport the container to the foundation location.
• Check the levelness of the container and adjust the support points if necessary.

4. Container modification

• (1). Cutting and opening:
• Open doors and windows on the container according to the design.
• Reinforce and weld the cut area to prevent the structural strength from being damaged by cutting.

• (2). Insulation and heat preservation:
• Lay insulation materials such as foam board or rock wool on the inner wall, ceiling and floor.
• Use wooden boards or gypsum boards to seal the insulation layer to increase the aesthetics and comfort.

• (3). Roof reinforcement:
• If it is used for a long time, a roof slope or awning can be installed to prevent water accumulation and direct sunlight.
• Install drainage gutters on the roof to facilitate the drainage of rainwater.

• (4). Interior decoration:
• Install partition walls according to the purpose, and configure furniture or storage facilities.
• Install circuit systems, including lighting, sockets and electrical wiring.
• If there is a need for heating or cooling, air conditioning or heating equipment can be installed.

5. External treatment

• (1). Anti-corrosion coating:
• Apply anti-rust paint or waterproof paint on the outside of the container to extend its service life.
• The exterior wall can be decorated with wood grain board, color steel plate or other beautification materials.

• (2). Installation of doors and windows:
• Install anti-theft doors and windows to ensure safety.
• Double-glazed windows can be selected to improve thermal insulation performance.

• (3). Supporting facilities:
• Add awnings, canopies or corridors outside the container.
• Simple small courtyards or fences can be laid to improve the overall environment.

6. Completion and acceptance

• (1). Test function:
• Check whether the doors and windows open and close smoothly and whether the seals are intact.
• Test whether the circuits and ventilation equipment are operating normally.

• (2). Acceptance criteria:
• Ensure that the structure is stable, waterproof and moisture-proof, and has good thermal insulation.
• Check whether it complies with the design plan and adjust the details.

7. Subsequent maintenance

• (1). Regular inspection:
• Regularly check the roof drainage system, external coating and sealing.
• Clean up any debris that may have accumulated to prevent water from flowing smoothly.

• (2). Repair and upgrade:
• Upgrade functions as needed, such as adding solar panels or water filtration systems.
• Repair damage or corrosion in a timely manner to extend the service life.

Building a 20ft container shelter is a flexible and scalable construction project. From planning to completion, all it takes is reasonable design and efficient execution to create a sturdy, beautiful and practical shelter space. Whether it is for short-term use or long-term residence, this solution can meet a variety of needs.