DIY Wood Truss Brackets for Shipping Containers With No Welding
A flat roof on top of a shipping container might sound unnecessary, but in the right application it can protect the original steel roof, create space for insulation, support future structures, and help manage water.
In this project, Channing showcases Container Modification World’s new Exterior Truss Brackets, designed to let builders use conventional wood framing on top of one or more shipping containers without welding.
Building a Roof With Wood Truss Brackets
The new Truss Bracket works alongside Container Modification World’s Exterior Wood Framing Bracket system.
Instead of continuing wood framing down the sidewalls, the Truss Bracket allows builders to keep the container exterior exposed while creating a wood-framed roof above it.
The brackets can be used on a single container or to span between multiple containers.
This gives builders more flexibility when creating pitched roofs, covered decks, rain screens or other structures above a sea can.
Adding Cantilevered Roof Sections
Container Modification World also offers a Cantilever Bracket.
This bracket allows framing to extend beyond the end of the shipping container, creating space for an overhang, deck area or rain protection above the cargo doors.
That can be especially useful for cabins, workshops and other container-based buildings where additional weather protection is needed at the entrance.
Protecting the Shipping Container Roof
This particular container is headed to a potash mine, where corrosive particles and salt can damage exposed steel.
To help protect the original container roof, a separate roof system was built above it using the Truss Brackets.
PVC panels were used along the underside, while composite fascia provides a more durable alternative to thin aluminum trim.
A rolled asphalt roofing product was then installed over the top.
The roofing material is relatively inexpensive and can be replaced later if the harsh environment damages it.
BigAir® 45 Vents and Utility Pass-Through Frames
Container Modification World BigAir® 45 Vents were installed to provide cross ventilation.
Bug screens help prevent insects from entering while still allowing air to move through the container.
Utility Pass-Through Frames were also installed to provide clean openings for electrical, plumbing and HVAC services.
These frames give tradespeople dedicated areas to run utilities without drilling random holes throughout the container walls or roof.
Combined with strut channel inside, the system creates a very flexible utility building.
Ventilating the Roof Cavity
Additional grille vents were installed in the new roof cavity.
Because the roof has only a slight slope, there is not a strong dedicated intake and exhaust pattern, but the vents still allow pressure and heat to escape.
This helps prevent hot air from becoming trapped beneath the new roofing system when the sun heats the dark exterior.
Improving Corrosion Resistance
Durability was especially important because this container will operate in a highly corrosive mining environment.
The interior floor was epoxy coated to help protect it from moisture and potential water intrusion.
The team also looked at sealing unused openings around the lift points to prevent birds, rodents, and moisture from entering areas that could eventually corrode.
A New Way to Build Above Shipping Containers
Container Modification World’s Wood Truss Brackets, Exterior Wood Framing Brackets, Cantilever Brackets, and BigAir® 45 Vents were all used to make this container more adaptable and durable.
The biggest advantage of the Truss Bracket system is that it allows conventional wood construction to connect to a shipping container without requiring welding.
For container cabins, workshops, patios, industrial buildings, and multi-container projects, the system provides a straightforward way to add pitched roofs, overhangs, and other structures while keeping the original container shell intact.