DIY Shipping Container Insulation

Have you been considering a DIY project to build a cozy cabin in the woods, a beach getaway, an artist’s workshop, or a “man cave”? A shipping container could be your most cost-effective option. With a little imagination and the right insulation, you can transform it into a comfortable living or working space.  

InSoFast insulation panels are designed for use in commercial energy efficiency projects, but their amazing simplicity has made them popular with homeowners for DIY basement and interior renovations, exterior retrofitting, and for insulating shipping containers.

InSoFast Container Panels & Inserts

Shipping containers are large steel boxes designed for transporting cargo. They are susceptible to temperature extremes and condensation, and insulating them for the comfort of humans can be tricky.

InSoFast CX Container Panels are specifically designed for container side walls. The panels measure 44” x 24” and have a thin profile that takes up only two inches of interior space. When installed horizontally with the studs running vertically, the studs adhere nicely to the ribs of the container interior.

Close up the container’s corrugation air gaps with our end wall and ceiling inserts. Once glued in place, these specifically shaped sleeves of EPS foam create a flush surface that’s ready for coverage in full InSoFast panels.

The features of our CX Container Panels and Inserts include:

• R-value of 11
• Very lightweight
• Built-in framing
• Built-in electrical raceways
• Solid backing for drywall
• No special tools or safety gear required
• Save space, time and energy
• Universal continuous insulation for interior walls, ceilings, and floors, and exteriors

Another excellent option is to utilize InSoFast Side Wall Inserts in conjunction with InSoFast UX 2.0 or InSoFast EX 2.5 panels to achieve maximum insulation and air-tightness.

Ideas for Finishing Your Space

Once you finish insulating, the interior finishing of your shipping container is completely up to you. Drywall provides a clean, smooth finish and a ready-to-paint surface. Natural or varnished plywood can create a warm look. Fiberglass reinforced panels offer a tough, easy to clean, waterproof, washable wall surface.

Add interior partitions, or leave the space open. Enhance the useable area by adding an outdoor deck that can double as an outdoor living and dining area. Or expand by adding on another container or two. The possibilities are endless!

InSoFast offers insulation kits for 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers with either standard 8-foot or high cube 9-foot ceilings. We also do custom configurations. Order your kit today, then grab a utility knife, caulk gun and construction glue to get started!