Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Shipping Container Foam Insulation

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Our shipping container insulation options are a key part of each build. Regulating temperatures inside any building is important. Especially where people are concerned.

Popularity still growing

A housing shortage, sustainability and value for money are key factors in the continued popularity of shipping containers. It began with a few bohemian buildings. The realisation that shipping containers could be used for more than just storage sparked the revolution.

People started to experiment. After all these things were cheap to buy, strong and mobile. You could build anything. You could build it anywhere and you could do it cheaply.

Problem; gosh its too hot &#; brr its too cold

In temperate climates everything was fine. Until of course the temperature dropped. Now people had problems. Without serious heating systems shipping container buildings were unbearably cold. Likewise in hot weather, without A/C, these buildings were like ovens!

Solution; Shipping container insulation

We were doing it in offices, restaurants, retail buildings and homes so why not install insulation in shipping contains. This opened up a can of worms. Simple physics tells us that steel absorbs heat from the sun like there&#;s no tomorrow. Its not great and trapping heat either. With so many shipping container insulation options available its difficult to choose the right type. Experiments showed us over the years that there is no single best option.

We&#;re explore the best shipping container insulation options available today. Here at InBox Projects we have tried and tested many different insulation types. All of them have benefits and drawbacks alike. We&#;ll try to explain what we think works best for each build. After-all, every shipping container building project is different.

Popular shipping container insulation options

Please note every project is different. We build restaurants, retail outlets and dwellings. We install them all over the world. Hot climates require a slightly different approach compared to cold climates. We look for high R-values. R-value is a measure of how well a barrier, such as a layer of insulation, prevents heat from escaping and its effectiveness as a thermal insulator.

The running order below is not necessarily our order of preference either. Its a simple list that we hope will help you during your decision process.

Insulation Blankets (Rockwool)

Rockwool blanket insulation is a tried and tested method of insulating shipping containers. It comes in rolls. It therefore needs to be fitted into panels and covered with gypsum board finish or other type of sheet. Rockwool is a rock-based mineral fibre insulation. Its made with basalt rock and recycled slag. Basalt is abundant in the earth. Slag is a by-product of the steel and copper industry. The minerals are melted and spun into fibres.

Rockwool is a cost effective solution. All cavities need to be well filled leaving no free air gaps or space. This will help it to perform well. Rockwool is perfect for commercial premisses. However we might suggest a higher grade insulation material for dwellings built with shipping containers.

Blanket insulation is made with the following material, some of which is recycled including:

• Basalt rock
• Plastic fibres
• Glass
• Recycled slag
• Cotton
• Mineral wood

Insulation Boards

Another common form of insulation is board insulation. EPS insulation boards are made with polystyrene amongst other materials. Insulation boards are light easy to install. They are a great option for shipping containers when space is limited. These panels are usually quite thin. They also have high R-values. This means they can be much thinner than other solutions but still perform the same.

Kingspan is a type of insulation that we install within our containers. We cover it materials such as ply or gypsum boards. Kingspan is a popular brand of insulation. However its high quality also drives up the price. Its worth spending extra when maximising space is important.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is another popular shipping container insulation option. It allows you to quickly create a seamless layer of insulation. Gaps and seams are a cause of heat loss. They also cause condensation. Spray foam has one of the highest R-values of any insulation product. However, spray foam is an expensive insulation option.

Icynene is on of the industry leaders in spray foam insulation. It works really well at insulating shipping containers. It prevents condensation and can be applied to the inside and outside of the container.

Spray foam insulation is sprayed onto interior surfaces. It expands slightly and sets as a hard. Spray foam forms a water-resistant covering. Its not pretty but its not meant to be. It should always be covered up with panelling of some sort. Spray foam has a lifespan of up to 80 years.

Spray foam insulation has other benefits:

• Spray foam is a good sound insulator
• It has a high R-value
• Its resistant to mold, fungus, and bacteria

Spray foam is one of the best solutions for containers that house delicate equipment. Computer network systems, chemicals and other sensitive assets need to be kept at stable temperatures. Such requirements will usually justify the extra expensive of using spray foam.

A drawback of spray foam insulation is that its not sustainably. Its a petrochemical product made with fosil fules. Many conventional spray foams have very detrimental impacts on the atmosphere. So if sustainablity is an important factor in your build, and it should be, we recommend using a cheaper insulation alternative.

Eco-friendly Insulation

You can use wool, cotton or even recycled insulation to insulate converted shipping containers. The installation process is the same as it is for Rockwool/blanket insulation. The production process for making these products uses a small amount of energy compared to other materials. The materials are also safe to use and free from irritation. Eco insulation materials are able to absorb damp and still perform well enough. Eco-friendly insulation types include;

• Eco-friendly sheep&#;s wool insulation
• Environmentally friendly cork insulation
• Hemp insulation
• Cellulose insulation
• Ecological wood wool insulation

Other eco-friendly insulation options

You can actually use any material to insulate a converted shipping container. This provides the oportunity for anyone to recycle or re-purpose other materials for use as insulation in a converted shipping container.

Conclusion

Well we hope this gives you a better understanding of the available insulation options for your project. Please keep in mind if you intend to use external cladding this will help regulate internal temperatures. Do contact us if you have any questions or need help. We have many years experience in all aspects of shipping container recycling and conversion.

Further reading
https://inboxprojects.com/experiential-containers-event-retail
https://inboxprojects.com/container-conversions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_insulation
https://www.insulation-info.co.uk/eco-friendly-insulation

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It&#;s becoming more and more popular to convert shipping containers for a range of reasons.

Whether it&#;s due to the ability to transport them, or the sustainability factor involved because the shipping containers are being recycled and can use significantly less energy to convert and use, or the customisation element &#; you can transform a shipping container into almost anything you want!

When converting a shipping container into a home, it&#;s crucial to get the insulation right to keep warm, prevent heat loss and prevent condensation. Shipping containers have very thin walls, so any heat will soon flow out of the container.

The good news is:

There is a range of different shipping container insulation options when looking at converting shipping containers.

Table of contents:

Insulation boards

One of the most common forms of insulation around is insulation boards. They are easy to install and are quick to fit into your room or container, making them definitely one to consider. It&#;s also a great option in shipping containers where space is limited because although insulation panels are relatively thin, they have high R values so will insulate your container well without needing to be too thick.

Blanket insulation

Blanket insulation is one of the more traditional insulation materials available. Blanket insulation comes in rolls so needs to be fitted into panels, or installed and then covered with plywood or other sheets, which will require extra work to be done. Additionally, some blanket insulation is made from fibreglass which is harmful if not handled properly.

Natural insulation

Why not use wool, cotton or recycled insulation to insulate your shipping container? Installed similarly to blanket insulation, there can be some drawbacks such as the installation process, but they are both eco-friendly methods which are perfect if you&#;re creating a shipping container home as part of a move towards more sustainable living.

Spray foam

Spray foam is one of the most popular forms of insulation when considering a shipping container because it allows you to create a seamless layer of insulation &#; any seams present the potential for heat loss and condensation ingress.

Spray foam has one of the highest R-values of insulation products which is another benefit &#; R values measure the effectiveness a material has at preventing conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the material is as a thermal insulator. However, spray foam is one of the more costly options available to you.

Choosing the right shipping container insulation

When selecting insulation for a shipping container home, several factors should be considered to ensure optimal performance and suitability.

First, assess the climate conditions of the location where the home will be situated, as this will dictate the insulation&#;s thermal resistance requirements.

Next, consider the available space within the container walls and ceilings, as well as any potential obstructions such as wiring or plumbing that may affect installation.

Additionally, weigh factors like cost, environmental impact and fire safety ratings of different insulation materials, which can include options like spray foam, rigid foam boards, fibreglass or natural alternatives like wool or recycled denim.

At the end of the day, the chosen shipping container insulation should effectively regulate temperature, minimise energy consumption and fit within the constraints of the container structure, while also aligning with personal preferences and sustainability goals.

If you&#;re looking for insulation for a shipping container or any other project, take a look at our range here, or give our team of experts a call on  692 206.

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of Shipping Container Foam Insulation(fr,pt,tr). Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.