Materials and construction
corrugated steel
Corrugated steel is sheet steel pressed into a pattern of ridges and valleys. Shipping containers use it for the walls and roof. The ridges add stiffness, so a thin panel resists bending and racking forces during ocean transport, lifting and everyday handling.
Why it matters
The wave pattern on a container wall is structural, not decoration. A flat sheet of the same thickness would buckle under the forces of ocean transit. The ridges also shed water. For a portable storage operator, corrugation affects repairs and modifications. A patch or replacement panel should match the original profile. Cutting a door or window into a wall removes part of the strength, so the opening needs framing. A common mistake is to flatten a dent by hammering it until the profile is lost, or to cut openings without reinforcement. Use trained repair staff and follow a repair guide such as the IICL manual.
Read: Container modifications for rental: Doors, windows, lock boxes and HVAC
Definition source: hz-containers.com
Related terms
corten steel
Corten steel is a weathering steel alloy used for the walls and roof of most standard shipping containers. It contains copper and chromium. When it is exposed to weather, it forms a stable, rust-like surface layer that protects the metal below. COR-TEN began as a trademarked name.
14 gauge steel
14 gauge steel is steel sheet about 0.0747 inch (1.9 mm) thick on the standard steel gauge scale. Many sources name 14 gauge corrugated corten steel for the walls and roof of a standard shipping container. Actual builds can vary by maker.
container modification
A container modification is a change made to a standard shipping container. It covers a single door cut-in up to a full fit-out. Common changes include doors, windows, vents, insulation, electrical work, HVAC, lining, partitions and plumbing. Sellers often group these changes into packages.
patch repair
A patch repair fixes a damaged container panel by welding a steel plate over the damage. The IICL manual treats it as one option when straightening or welding will not work. In the same section, an insert replaces a cut-out damaged section instead of overlaying it.
container repair
Container repair is work that fixes damage to a container, such as holes, dents, floors and doors. The IICL repair manual says the purpose of any repair is to restore structural integrity so the container can work safely in intermodal transport. Methods include straightening, welding, patching, inserting and replacing parts.
window cut-out
A window cut-out is an opening cut into a container wall for a window. The cut is framed and reinforced, and a window is fitted. Fixed, sliding and awning windows are common choices, often with security bars or shutters. It is a common add-on for offices and shops.
For the industry
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