The use of decommissioned shipping containers for the construction of a garage has become a real trend in the field of suburban construction. This solution attracts car owners with the speed of installation, relative cheapness and high strength of the design. Garage of 2 containers allows not only to place the car, but also to organize a full-fledged workshop or storage area, which is especially important for owners of two or more vehicles.
The main advantage of this construction is modularity. The metal frame, originally designed for harsh transportation conditions and multi-tier stacking, withstands enormous loads. However, to turn a pile of metal into a comfortable room, you need to carefully plan. design And take into account the nuances of thermal insulation. Errors at the design stage can lead to the formation of condensation, which is detrimental to the body of the car.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of creating a garage of two modules, starting from the selection of the assembly scheme and ending with the finishing. You will learn how to properly prepare the foundation, what materials to use for insulation and how to legalize the building. The finished result will be a reliable shelter for your equipment, which has served for decades.
Choosing a layout scheme and design advantages
The first step in the implementation of the project is the choice of layout modules. The most popular option for two machines is to install containers close to each other. This allows for a single space of about 4.8 meters wide (taking into account the thickness of the walls) and 6 or 12 meters long, depending on the type of original modules. This configuration is ideal for placing two passenger cars side by side or one car and a spacious work area.
An alternative is a sequential installation, where one container is placed in the continuation of another. This scheme is suitable for narrow areas or when deep boxing is required for long-distance vehicles, such as minibuses or boats on trailers. In this case, it is necessary to provide a wide opening in the end wall between the modules, which will require strengthening the structure of the rolled metal.
The key advantages of using two modules:
- 🚀 Speed of construction: installation on the prepared foundation takes only one day using a crane.
- 🛡️ Vandal protectionSteel walls with a thickness of 2 mm is almost impossible to damage without special equipment.
- 🔨 MobilityIf necessary, the garage can be dismantled and moved to a new place in assembled form.
It is important to understand that the standard width of the container is 2.44 meters. With parallel installation, the total internal opening will be about 4.7-4.8 meters. This is enough for two cars, but the entrance can be narrow if you do not provide a wide gate. High Cube Modifications (at 2.9 meters high) provide additional space for the organization of mezzanine or supply ventilation system without loss of usable volume.
Basic work and site preparation
Despite the fact that the container is a self-supporting structure, you can not ignore the issues of the foundation. The metal has the property of deforming with uneven shrinkage of the soil, which can lead to jamming of the gate or violation of the tightness of the joints. For a garage of two containers, a belt or pile-screw foundation will be the best solution.
The tape foundation requires more time and cost for excavation work, but provides a monolithic foundation. Along the perimeter of the future building, a trench deep below the level of freezing of the soil is dug out, formwork and a reinforcement frame are installed. After pouring concrete, you must wait for the full cycle of strength, which is 28 days.
☑️ Preparation of the basis
A faster and more economical option is screw piles. They are screwed into the ground at the corners of the containers and in the center of the long sides. From above, the piles are tied with a channel or a two-tavre beam, creating a single frame. This design works perfectly on pulpy soils and allows you to organize a ventilated underground, which reduces humidity in the garage.
⚠️ Before starting excavation work, be sure to make sure that there are no underground utilities (gas, water, electricity) on the site. Damage to the gas pipe can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Installation of the frame and connection of modules
The installation process begins with the delivery of modules to the site. To lift and position the two containers accurately, a crane of at least 10 tons will be required. After installation on the foundation supports, their connection is made. If the containers are adjacent, they are welded at adjacent corners and ends, and then cut off the inner parts of the adjacent walls to create a single space.
To strengthen the structure at the docking point is often used metal-corner And the stains are on the inside and the outside. This prevents the divergence of modules during seasonal soil movements. If a passage or vestibule is planned to be left between the containers, the openings are reinforced by two-taur beams, since cutting the load-bearing elements weakens the structure.
| Parameter | Container 20ft | Container 40 feet |
|---|---|---|
| Length outside | 6.06m | 12.19m |
| outer width | 2.44 m | 2.44 m |
| Height (Standard) | 2.59 m m m m | 2.59 m m m m |
| High (High Cube) | 2.90 m | 2.90 m |
| Weight empty | ~2.2 t | ~3.8 t |
When cutting metal, use it. gas-cutting potent Bulgarian with metal discs of at least 2 mm thick. The edges of the cut are necessarily cleaned of burrs and immediately treated with an anti-corrosion composition, since the exposed metal rusts instantly. Welded seams also require careful cleaning and painting.
Do I need to cut the floor in the container?
Cutting the wooden floor of the container (plywood soaked in chemicals) is recommended if you plan to do a concrete screed inside. This will avoid odor and toxic discharge when heated. If the floor remains, it must be covered with flame bioprotection.
Insulation and Condensation Control
Metal has a high thermal conductivity, so in winter in an uninsulated garage will be cold, and on the walls formed abundant condensate ("dew point"). Water will drip from the ceiling and walls, causing the car to corrosion. To avoid this, quality is required. heat-insulation. The best material for a garage of containers is sprayed polyurethane foam (PPU) or extruded polystyrene foam slabs.
PPU spraying creates a monolithic layer without seams, completely filling all the irregularities of the corrugated walls of the container. This is ideal, but it requires the call of specialists with equipment. Insulation plates (e.g., Penoplax) are attached to a metal profile frame. It is important not to use mineral wool without reliable vapor insulation, as it absorbs moisture and loses its properties.
For ventilation in the garage from the container, be sure to install a supply valve at the bottom of the wall and an exhaust deflector at the top. Natural traction will help remove moisture and fuel vapor.
After the insulation is laid, the walls are sheathed. For the garage, a profiled sheet, sandwich panels or moisture-resistant drywall are excellent (if the garage is heated). Don’t forget to lay a layer of vapor insulation film between the insulation and the interior lining to protect the insulator from moisture from the inside of the room.
⚠️ Warning: When insulating walls with foam or PPU, monitor fire safety. Materials must have a flammability class not lower than G1 (self-extinguishing). In the garage where the fuel is stored, this is critical.
Organization of entry group and gate
The choice of garage gates from containers depends on the budget and the availability of free space before entering. Classic swing gates are the simplest and most reliable solution. They are easily made of profile pipe and sheet metal, do not require complex automation and are cheap to maintain. However, they require free space in front of the garage to open the flaps.
Sectional gates are more aesthetic and comfortable, especially in winter, when snow does not interfere with their opening. They go up under the ceiling, saving space. To install such gates will require installation of guides and spring mechanism inside the garage. It is important to provide a rigid frame around the opening, as sectional gates transfer the load to the side racks.
Roller shutters (roller gates) are a compact option, but they have less heat and noise insulation. For the garage where you plan to spend time, this can be a drawback. Regardless of the type, the gates should be equipped with quality locks and locking mechanisms. It is recommended to use at least two locking loops.
The optimal size of the gate for one car is 2.5-3 meters wide and 2.2-2.5 meters in height. For two cars, it is better to make one wide opening (4.5-5 m) or two separate ones.
Engineering Communications and Electrical
A comfortable garage is impossible without electricity. Wiring should be done only in an open way, using non-combustible cable channels or corrugated. It's a fire safety requirement. The sockets and switches must have a degree of protection not lower than IP54 (Dust and splash protection). Lighting is better to make combined: general light under the ceiling and local lighting of the working area (workbench).
If the garage is planned to be used as a workshop, it is worth providing water and sewerage. However, in winter, the water pipes will require heating or draining to prevent the pipes from bursting. Electrical convectors or infrared heaters are ideal for heating, which can be turned on quickly as needed. Gas heating requires approval and a separate room for the boiler.
The interior space can be zoned. For example, to separate the area of the car from the storage area of tools with a light partition or shelving. Use of the metal-stack This allows you to use the height of the container efficiently, especially if you choose the High Cube option.
Legal aspects and registration
Many consider a garage of containers temporary construction, not requiring permission. However, if the structure is installed on a capital foundation and has a connection to communications, it can be recognized as an object of capital construction (CBS). In this case, the legality requires obtaining a building permit and commissioning, especially if the garage is located within the boundaries of the settlement.
If the garage stands on stilts without a buried foundation and does not have a rigid anchor to the ground (theoretically it can be moved), it is classified as a non-capital structure or even movable property. In this case, registration of ownership rights in Rosreestr is usually not required, the ownership of the container itself as a commodity is sufficient. But the rules may vary depending on the region and the rules of the CNT.
Do I need to register a garage from containers?
If the garage is on a tape foundation and has capital communications, most likely, yes, it is a capital construction object. If it stands on blocks or stilts and can be moved - usually does not require registration, it is considered movable property. It is recommended to consult with a cadastral engineer in your area.
Which container is better to choose: 20 or 40 feet?
For a garage for one car or a narrow area, it is better to 20 feet (6 meters). Two cars are more convenient two 20-foot containers, set in parallel. The 40-foot container (12 meters) is too long for a standard site and requires more room to manoeuvre when installed, but gives a huge area inside.
How much does it cost to build such a garage?
The cost consists of the price of the containers themselves (used or new), delivery, crane work, foundation, insulation and gate. Used garage "turnkey" can cost 2-3 times cheaper than a brick counterpart, but more expensive than just a shell from a profile list. The exact estimate depends on the region and the materials selected.
Garage of two containers is a rational solution for a modern car owner who values time and reliability. The right approach to insulation and space organization will turn a metal box into a functional room that will last for many years.