Conex Shop Ideas

[TheLS1Lover]

Hey everyone, long time lurker here. I have a line on 2 40' Conexs that are in good shape, and that I can get delivered for really good prices. Now, looking on eBay I can get a 20x40' Fabric covering for a roof for $3000. My thoughts are to pour a 40x40' Pad, affix the containers and roof to it, and to cut some doors into the container sides that are facing the convered portion. My only question is the walls, I had the though of just normal stick framing, and using billboard vinyls to cover. Not the most robust, but it would get me going cheap. Does anyone see any flaws with this plan?

 

[Renegade1LI]

We had one for a project 80 x 60, 4 containers with a roll up for at each end. The end walls were framed with steel studs too meet fdny code with metal siding, worked out nice. For home i would stick frame and sheath with t-111. I have two 40’ containers that i plan on doing similar, even add a small roll up door to the side of the boxes. My other thought was getting a third box and stacking two on one side and do a stick framed roof, so many options using these boxes. Lots of good ideas on the web.

 

[jimj580]

Following, I want to do the same thing.

 

[PoorUB]

Hey everyone, long time lurker here. I have a line on 2 40' Conexs that are in good shape, and that I can get delivered for really good prices. Now, looking on eBay I can get a 20x40' Fabric covering for a roof for $3000. My thoughts are to pour a 40x40' Pad, affix the containers and roof to it, and to cut some doors into the container sides that are facing the convered portion. My only question is the walls, I had the though of just normal stick framing, and using billboard vinyls to cover. Not the most robust, but it would get me going cheap. Does anyone see any flaws with this plan?

If you are setting them side by side I would look into ordering wood raters that span both and build a conventions roof. Twenty foot rafters are $120 each, x 21 = $2500 plus roof sheeting and shingles. Sure it will cost more, but you have a 25 year roof instead of one that is gone the next time you get a strong wind.

As far as siding I wondered about screwing on vinyl siding. The inside perhaps a layer of 1" foam with waferboard or sheet rock over it. really it depends on what you want.

 

[Renegade1LI]

One of the biggest issues is condensation, placing a roof above the boxes eliminates most of that, otherwise you need to keep the boxes ventilated . The ones I have I screwed 2 x 4s in the recesses to allow for mounting shelves, used metal roofing screws from outside. I use mine mostly for equipment & material storage plus it's nice overflow from the garage. The one other layout I'm thinking is place a 20 box at the end between the two 40s like a big U with a side roll up door.

 

[65ranchero]

My neighbor has 2) 40' containers side x side spaced enough apart that he placed trusses across them and it is wide enough to use the center for a work/parking area and I assume the boxes are for storage.
It is now being sided but I'm not sure what it is.
When it's done you won't know what it was before.
they make insulation specifically for containers
https://www.insofast.com/explore/shipping-container-estimating-prep.html

 

[nadogail]

I like your idea about a Conex based work shop; unfortunately I don't have the Real Estate to put a Conex in my yard.

 

[Snip]

Prior to retiring I worked at a large wastewater plant. During one of the plants upgrades there was one contractor that sent in two 40" conex's set them up aprox 30" apart. They put two 4' walls on top of the closest walls and 30'ish trusses on top of them. Sheathed, tarped and put up endwalls in a couple of days. I thought it was a great idea for a shop area. Need thing about it was when the project was done, they broke it all down put it in the conex's and left. 30x40 with 12' overhead clearance work area out of the weather with storage, smart thinkers. Maybe something along these lines would work for the OP?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Prior to retiring I worked at a large wastewater plant. During one of the plants upgrades there was one contractor that sent in two 40" conex's set them up aprox 30" apart. They put two 4' walls on top of the closest walls and 30'ish trusses on top of them. Sheathed, tarped and put up endwalls in a couple of days. I thought it was a great idea for a shop area. Need thing about it was when the project was done, they broke it all down put it in the conex's and left. 30x40 with 12' overhead clearance work area out of the weather with storage, smart thinkers. Maybe something along these lines would work for the OP?

You didn't happen to work at Wards Island in NY?

 

[Snip]

It was in Denver Colorado

 

[TheLS1Lover]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm trying to track down some trusses for a decent price. I'd like them to be 20' apart. Depending on what I can find, I'd like to do a metal roof, and possible metal front and back.

 

[csp]

Be sure that the local building permit authority, if applicable, doesn't require permits for shipping container use other than temporary storage. The county that's next to the one I live in does require permits for any use other than temp storage on any property smaller than 40 acres. It's nothing more than a money grab IMO.

 

[BukitCase]

I have 10 acres, and have a 20', 2 40's and 2 40' high cubes - without either good insulation or total shade, even in my relatively mild climate direct sun will get containers up to 150 degrees or more inside. The 4 40's each have exhaust fans and I leave a door open every day during summer (first pic is my security backup)

I built a steel framed 24'x24' roof over the 20 footer, between that and a couple trees it NEVER sees the sun - inside temp = outside temp year 'round. Second pic is the roof, third and fourth is how I attached roof - pretty much all corner sockets will accept 2.5" square tube...

If you can swing it, I DEF recommend the high cubes, that extra foot of height is worth it. My two high cubes will get a full length bridge crane/steel rack in one (steel storage/cut/weld, with 14 ga. sheet steel on the floor (sparks) - those two will be tied together with machining/tool storage in the second one (pic#5 is tentative floor plan)... Steve

 

[rmmiller]

Former employer did what you are talking about. They had two containers covered with an arched tent like roof. It's in Anchorage and has been in place for several years.

 

[TheLS1Lover]

I have 10 acres, and have a 20', 2 40's and 2 40' high cubes - without either good insulation or total shade, even in my relatively mild climate direct sun will get containers up to 150 degrees or more inside. The 4 40's each have exhaust fans and I leave a door open every day during summer (first pic is my security backup)

I built a steel framed 24'x24' roof over the 20 footer, between that and a couple trees it NEVER sees the sun - inside temp = outside temp year 'round. Second pic is the roof, third and fourth is how I attached roof - pretty much all corner sockets will accept 2.5" square tube...

If you can swing it, I DEF recommend the high cubes, that extra foot of height is worth it. My two high cubes will get a full length bridge crane/steel rack in one (steel storage/cut/weld, with 14 ga. sheet steel on the floor (sparks) - those two will be tied together with machining/tool storage in the second one (pic#5 is tentative floor plan)... Steve

I like the way you did the roof structure! Cute doggos too. I live in Oklahoma, and mine will be in very minimal shade. I plane to toss a mini split in one of the containers, and the rest will be whatever it is. I may build a waste oil heater for the shop portion though. The major plan is have one of the containers be a fab area and clean room for Engine/Trans stuff. The middle will be working area, and vehicle storage, with the other container being storage, a bathroom, and a den area.

Former employer did what you are talking about. They had two containers covered with an arched tent like roof. It's in Anchorage and has been in place for several years.

That definitely makes me feel better about the cover kit! I will be sure to make a post later if this comes to fruition. I could get a barn kit and put it together over a few weekends, but I think I can do this a bit cheaper, plus its unique.