Do you know how to frame a shipping container wall?
Framing the walls of a shipping container is essential if you want to turn it into a cozy, livable home, not just a steel box. A container frame is the structural skeleton of a shipping container. Frames give a shipping container strength and integrity for stacking, transport, and conversion into a building.
Understanding the frame is crucial whether you’re modifying a container, stacking it, or building inside it. Not just for the container’s wall, the frame is also used for its floor and roof. However, the materials are different. Floor frames are made using steel beams + marine plywood. Meanwhile, the wall and roof are made of corrugated steel.
Find out in this article how to frame a shipping container wall to make a cozy home!
Contents
Why must you frame the container wall to make a cozy home?
1. Creates a Base for Insulation
Steel conducts heat and cold easily. Without insulation, containers get hot in summer and freezing in winter. Framing creates space to insert insulation (spray foam, batt, or rigid board). It is useful to keep the indoor temperatures stable, reduce energy use, and improve comfort.
2. Cover Electrical and Plumbing Installation
You can run wiring, switches, lights, outlets, and pipes through wall cavities. Framing hides these for a cleaner interior look. Without frames, you’d have to use exposed conduit or surface-mount boxes.
3. Supports Interior Wall Finishes
Drywall, wood panels, or decorative walls need to be screwed or nailed to a stable structure. Steel walls are corrugated and uneven, making it difficult to mount directly. Framing ensures a flat surface for attaching wall finishes.
4. Helps Prevent Condensation
Interior steel walls can sweat when warm air meets cold metal. It causes moisture buildup that could lead to mold, rot, and rust. Framing (with proper insulation and vapor barriers) reduces temperature differences that can minimize condensation.
5. Adds a “Homey” Feel
Exposed steel looks of a container seem industrial or cold. Therefore, you need frames to let you finish the interior with warm materials like wood paneling, painted drywall, and decorative finishes. These help make the space feel inviting, soft, and residential.
6. Improves Soundproofing
Steel walls reflect sound. As a solution, you need to use framed walls with insulation and drywall to absorb sound, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
How to Frame Shipping Container Walls
1. Choose Your Framing Material
To frame the container walls, you can choose the materials between wood studs and metal studs. The wood studs are easy to install and cost-effective. Meanwhile, the metal studs are moisture-resistant and fire-resistant. However, the wood is easier for DIYers.
2. Clean and Prep Container Interior
After choosing the framing material, remove any old flooring debris near the wall edges. Then, clean container walls with degreaser if dirty/rusty. After it is clean, paint or coat steel walls with anti-corrosion primer, especially in humid areas.
3. Decide Framing Method
If you choose the wood framing, follow this step:
- Screw or glue 1×3 or 2×2 wood strips vertically over container wall corrugations.
- Use construction adhesive or self-tapping metal screws.
- Put insulation between the strips, then attach paneling on top.
If you choose metal framing, follow this step:
- Use steel track and studs.
- Screw track to floor and ceiling.
- Insert vertical metal studs and crimp in place.
4. Add Blocking for Windows/Fixtures
Add horizontal wood pieces where you’ll mount windows, light switches, shelves, etc. To secure blocking between studs, use screws or construction adhesive.
5. Run Electrical and Plumbing (If Needed)
Drill holes through wood or metal studs. Then, route wires or conduit using grommets to prevent damage. After that, install electrical boxes flush with the finished wall surface.
6. Add Insulation
Install spray foam (best thermal + moisture barrier), rigid foam board, and mineral wool or fiberglass batts (with vapor barrier) between studs. The spray foam can reduce condensation risk, which is common in metal containers.
7. Close Up the Walls
The last one is closing up the walls. In this step, you can cover framing with plywood, drywall, and shiplap. Then, screw or nail into studs or furring strips.
Conclusion
After knowing how to frame a shipping container wall, start to build a container home by buying a shipping container from us!
Tradecorp is a reliable storage container sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp provides modification and custom shipping container services to residences by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your shipping container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!