You may be wondering if you need a foundation for your shipping containerhome or other building. The answer is usually yes. Because the ground moves quite a bit over time, sinking, sliding and even rising, you have to ensure you have a stable foundation to keep the home on level footing – just like a traditional house.
From pier foundations to pile foundations, you need a foundation to create a stable, solid platform for your container no matter what the use will be. If you don’t secure the foundation properly now, it can result in the container separating or splitting later on. On top of that, your container can become unsafe or unstable, posing a risk for the contents as well as people.
Another reason to add a uniform foundation is because often times, the ground underneath the container can be comprised of a variety of materials, with one part being clay and the other part hard rock. This creates an inconsistency that can be detrimental to your container. This is usually evidenced by hard-to-open doors.
A solid foundation ensures proper distribution of weight, plus it serves to keep moisture and corrosion at bay.
The only time where a foundation would not be necessary is when the shipping container location is temporary and it will be moved in a few weeks or months. For instance, construction companies usually fall into this category because they’re often on the move.
Types of Foundations
Now let’s take a quick look at the types of foundations you may opt for:
- Concrete Slab: This is the easiest and most common method. Pouring a concrete slab is cost effective and convenient, and the least labor intensive. Concrete stands up to Mother Nature very well, so this is a good option. Professional concrete pouring is recommended.
- Concrete Footings: Placed at various intervals to ensure support for the container, brackets are put in place to hold cross beams or crosses.
- Pile Foundations: Usually seen at marinas,pile foundations are circular metal or wood beams that go into the earth around water or sand until they hit bedrock. This allows for construction of a deck like structure, whereby a container can be placed on top.
No matter which type of foundation you go with, the key is to keep your container stable. This will ensure a long life span of your unit, while ensuring safety and structural integrity.
Contact A&M Container
To request a quote on a shipping container of any kind, don’t hesitate to contact us or complete our online form.