Steel Stud Brackets for Framing a Shipping Container
Follow along as Channing showcases the new Steel Stud Brackets and Corner Casting Covers from Container Modification World. These products are designed to make framing the interior walls and ceiling of a shipping container easier, straighter, and more consistent.
The system helps establish the correct ceiling height, positions the wall framing away from the container corrugations, and creates a clean transition around the corner castings, doors, and windows.
Starting at the Container Doors
In the past, we typically started framing at the end wall and worked toward the container doors. With this new system, the framing process begins at the doors.
The Container Door Flashing Kit is installed around the sides, top, and bottom of the container doors. This allows the doors to be spray-foamed and finished with plywood or drywall while keeping them fully operational.
The door and wall flashing components come together to create a clean galvanized edge and help maintain a continuous vapour barrier.
Creating a Thermal Break
For this build, we are using 1 5/8-inch steel studs. The Steel Stud Brackets also work with 2 1/2-inch studs, but the narrower studs leave approximately 7/8 of an inch between the framing and the inner container corrugations.
This gap allows closed-cell spray foam to flow behind the studs, creating a thermal break and reducing thermal bridging.
The upper brackets wrap around the container's 60-millimetre top tube and are secured using self-tapping screws. Because the screws enter the hollow top tube without penetrating the exterior shell, the weather-resistant container envelope remains intact.
Installing the Steel Studs
Once the top and bottom tracks are installed, the studs can be placed one at a time and fastened using sheet-metal screws.
A steel stiffener bar is then attached across the studs. This helps keep them straight and prevents the pressure from expanding spray foam from twisting or pushing the framing outward.
The studs can be installed on 16" or 24" centres, depending on the interior wall covering and how frequently it needs to be fastened.
Framing Around Windows and Doors
The window and man-door kits are made from laser-cut and folded sheet metal rather than hollow structural tubing.
This allows the spray foam to reach the vinyl window and door frames directly, creating a more complete vapour barrier. It also reduces the need to return later with canned spray foam to fill gaps around the openings.
Corner Casting Covers
Corner Casting Covers are included with the Steel Stud Bracket Kits. These covers allow approximately two inches of spray foam to surround the corner castings while providing solid flanges for attaching the interior finish.
After the spray foam is installed, an interior angle can be added to create a clean drywall or plywood return.
Why Use Steel Studs?
Steel studs are non-porous and do not absorb moisture. Wood framing that touches the steel corrugations can wick moisture, eventually leading to mould and rot.
Steel studs may seem intimidating at first, but they are similar to working with other light-gauge steel products. Once you understand how to cut, bend and fasten them, the installation process becomes straightforward.
Before spray foaming, always make sure the shipping container is level. Insulating a twisted container can cause the hardened foam to crack when the container is later moved or levelled, damaging the sealed insulation envelope.
With the correct preparation, Steel Stud Brackets and Corner Casting Covers can help create a straighter, cleaner and longer-lasting shipping container interior.
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