Hi all!
I'm currently working on making a shipping container garage! There's lots of reasons I'm going down this route, mainly budget restrictions, as for what I want this offers the best value.
I have a site thats being cleared ATM. It's on a farm, and they are ok with me using this for hobby vehicle maintenance. I've no space at home.
The plan is to get two 20' shipping containers, fix them together and cut out the 'party walls' to make a workshop space that will measure approx 20' x 16'. Buying containers with a wind & watertight guarantee means they shouldn't leak (except where I cut em!), they will be secure and if/when I want to move or sell them they can be dismantled and transported. Similarly priced pre-fabs & metal buildings come in at twice the price I'm looking at, even after fitting them out (mainly insulation to reduce condensation).
My main question at the moment is foundations. I can make whatever foundation I like - site owner is happy for me to do whatever - so I'm trying to find the best option on a budget.
The site has a slight slope, meaning ground level at the back is about 18" lower than the front (20' apart). Being a container they technicaly only need supporting at the corners, so I don't need to pour a whole slab. I'm currently looking at making concrete piers - ground is a mix of sand & clay.
I saw a video tonight of a builder using heavy (1") threaded bar to make garden room foundations - less concrete to pour, and easily height adjustable. I can make/weld pads for ISO container corners. Would it take the weight/cope with movement (e.g. my car being driven in/out)?
Any other options/suggestions?
I'm currently working on making a shipping container garage! There's lots of reasons I'm going down this route, mainly budget restrictions, as for what I want this offers the best value.
I have a site thats being cleared ATM. It's on a farm, and they are ok with me using this for hobby vehicle maintenance. I've no space at home.
The plan is to get two 20' shipping containers, fix them together and cut out the 'party walls' to make a workshop space that will measure approx 20' x 16'. Buying containers with a wind & watertight guarantee means they shouldn't leak (except where I cut em!), they will be secure and if/when I want to move or sell them they can be dismantled and transported. Similarly priced pre-fabs & metal buildings come in at twice the price I'm looking at, even after fitting them out (mainly insulation to reduce condensation).
My main question at the moment is foundations. I can make whatever foundation I like - site owner is happy for me to do whatever - so I'm trying to find the best option on a budget.
The site has a slight slope, meaning ground level at the back is about 18" lower than the front (20' apart). Being a container they technicaly only need supporting at the corners, so I don't need to pour a whole slab. I'm currently looking at making concrete piers - ground is a mix of sand & clay.
I saw a video tonight of a builder using heavy (1") threaded bar to make garden room foundations - less concrete to pour, and easily height adjustable. I can make/weld pads for ISO container corners. Would it take the weight/cope with movement (e.g. my car being driven in/out)?
Any other options/suggestions?
