Have you ever wanted to work or live in an innovative, eco-friendly,
and cost-effective environment? Or wanted a modern design that stood
out among your competitors or fellow homeowners? Consider using 20-
and 40-foot shipping containers to make your dreams come true.
Why Build With Shipping Containers?
Erection Is Fast
Erection is fast since much of the fabrication can be done off-site. Placing the containers on-site takes just a day or two. If permitted as modular buildings, nearly all work can happen indoors at a controlled facility, unaffected by weather, with stable labor, better supervision, and no issues with staging or storage.
They Are Durable
Containers can take serious abuse. As long as you don’t cut away too much, they’re highly resistant to wind and seismic loads (though stiffness can be a drawback in high-rises). It’s tough for a well-meaning homeowner to cause structural damage—steel isn’t easy to cut. Beyond wind loads, these buildings can withstand flying branches, falling trees, and other storm debris.
They Last A Long Time
A wood structure typically lasts 50 to 80 years. Improper care—inevitable over time—can lead to termite damage, rot (especially near bathrooms). With containers, corrosion might be a concern in certain environments, like coastal areas. However, the steel used (ASTM-242 in the US) is weathering steel, common in bridges and outdoor structures. As it rusts, it forms a protective layer that halts further corrosion. Termites and rot aren’t issues.
At Runkle Consulting, we’ve been working with architects and
fabricators who specialize in the use of shipping containers for
residential and commercial work since 2008. Our partnerships around
the United States ensure that your project is brought to life by
people who know exactly how to make your dreams come true and are
familiar with your area of the country.
Our structural engineering design services include foundation design,
load calculations that determine the safest and most cost-effective
placement of containers while maximizing your square footage, and
coordination with professionals in the other fields of engineering who
have experience with shipping containers.
Whether your project is a single 20-foot-long container that you need
to be an outdoor restroom for a park, or the highest shipping
container in North America, Ida on McKinley, Runkle Consulting has experience doing it.
