Insulating a shipping container is necessary especially if you plan on spending any time in it. The weather can be harsh with chilly winters and scorching summer temperatures. Shipping containers weren’t designed for human habitation; that’s why insulating the container is essential. Shipping containers are made of steel, and insulation helps keep you comfortable in the container and keep it in good condition by avoiding corrosion and mold. Below are the different insulation methods to consider:
Insulating Your Shipping Container
You may assume that with a solid metal exterior, shipping containers stay at a consistent temperature and protect what’s in them from all the elements. But this is untrue, being a large metal container, it soaks up and quickly shifts over to whatever the outside temperature is without haste. If it’s a hundred degrees outside in direct sun, your container will heat up like an over and that can lead to potentially damaging anything that you may be storing inside.
Foam Insulation
It’s the quickest and most flexible method of insulation. It’s ideal for keeping your shipping container cooler in hot climates, warm in colder climates, and dry in the damper climates. It does this by combating condensation by creating a seamless vapor barrier and allows you to spray into any gaps.
With spray foam, you apply on both the internal and external walls sealing of any gaps in the shipping container. You can also spray underneath the container to stop moisture from the ground from seeping in. Wait until the foam has settled in and paint the container to give you the desired look.
Insulation Panels
You buy insulation panels at the predefined sizes, and stud walls then fit the insulation panels in the gaps of the stud wall. The insulation panels have high insulating value for their small depth.
Blanket Insulation
It takes a little more time to install as compared to the insulation panels, but it’s the cheapest shipping container insulation method. Rock wool or mineral is the most common blanket insulation material. There are blanket insulation types made from fiberglass that make insulation more challenging as you need to handle the fiberglass with a lot of care. It also requires personal protective equipment to be worn during installation.
Natural Methods
If you are looking for more natural ways of insulation, you can use wool, which is similar to blanket insulation. Cotton insulation is also used, which uses recycled cotton instead of fiberglass. You can also use a living roof or mud walls when rainfall is scarce, especially during the dry, hot climate.
Insulating your container protects the container and whatever is inside and also provides comfort during the harsh weather climates. An insulated container can be left out all winter with no worries of freezing, and you can also work inside the container comfortably without freezing. Shipping container insulation can be a DIY project, or you can get a professional to do it for you. Depending on your needs, insulating a shipping container is essential.
For more information on modifying a shipping container contact Southeast Container at 615-450-6005.