Quonset Hut vs Conainer

[marhar]

For about a year I have been mulling over buying a container. What do you think about Quonset huts? Any idea on the "ballpark" price per ft on a Quonset hut? What are the disadvantages of a quonset?

 

[5030]

If you are in a zoned area, better check your zoning. Lots of areas don't allow shipping containers.

 

[2manyrocks]

Lot of sections to bolt together. Seems like one method is to pour a concrete pad for it and then use rolling scaffolds to put the sections together. No gutters. How do you deal with water runoff? Lacking a square wall, space use might be an issue. There are so many post and beam shops that built instead.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've had several 40 foot containers, and currently have one right now. I like how secure they are, how you have an instant storage area once it's delivered. They are kind of ugly, but with some paint, they look a lot better for very little money. Size is the limiting factor, you only have enough room for some shelves on the sides, or enough space to pull something small into it like a four wheeler or small tractor. They also get very hot in summer, so you need additional venting, which really doesn't do anything for the heat issue, but it does help with the condensation issue that comes from the heating and cooling that they go through.

I've never seen a Quonset hut that I would want to own. I can't imagine why anybody would actually pay money for one. Instead, look into those carport type metal buildings if you want something quick, easy and fairly cost effective that is bigger then a container, but will take longer to build.

 

[MotorSeven]

Depends on what your use is. Can't pull a car/truck/tractor in a container and have any room left over to work on it. Unless you have two, then build a roof over them to make a slabbed workshop between them.

I built a 30x50 Quonset in 2007....other than it being too small(too much crap) I still really like it. Should have built a 50x100. It took me, a buddy and his 11 year old son a week to get the metal up. I used a homemade boom to lift the panels with the tractor FEL.

If you choose a Quonset....spray foam/sprayfoam/sprayfoam for insulation!

 

[JasperFrank]

Containers are just too small to be useful as a shop. They are good for secure storage. I've seen several building sites whereby the owner used Quonsets, and they were happy with them. Lots of space and they go up quick with a small crew.
One brilliant design, was two long containers that had a rafted roof between them just like MotorSeven has said. . Best of both worlds: space and secure storage in one. And it didn't look half bad.

 

[lcalverson13]

Depends on what your use is. Can't pull a car/truck/tractor in a container and have any room left over to work on it. Unless you have two, then build a roof over them to make a slabbed workshop between them.

I built a 30x50 Quonset in 2007....other than it being too small(too much crap) I still really like it. Should have built a 50x100. It took me, a buddy and his 11 year old son a week to get the metal up. I used a homemade boom to lift the panels with the tractor FEL.

If you choose a Quonset....spray foam/sprayfoam/sprayfoam for insulation!

I am in the process of setting panels now. This what I am using to lift the center section of 3 .

 

[newbury]

For about a year I have been mulling over buying a container. What do you think about Quonset huts? Any idea on the "ballpark" price per ft on a Quonset hut? What are the disadvantages of a quonset?

Disadvantages of Quonset hut over "standard rectangular" building.
Constant reminder of Korea.
Side doors and windows are more difficult to install.
I spent a fair amount of time working in Quonset huts in Yongsan, Korea in the 1980's. Not too bad.
If you build it on a stem wall and plan on using everything above about 10' for storage they worked out well.

 

[5030]

I just replaced the roof on my Clearspan after 20+ years and my insurance company paid for it, wind got a hold of it and ripped it. Not bad really.

 

[cmyoung2]

I have a 25x40' US Steel Quonset style, straight wall sides, on a 2' pony wall, poured concrete. Been up maybe 15 years. No issues so far. I built the endwalls, have a man door at each end, one end has a 16'x 9'h powered garage door. Like everyone, not big enough(yes, too much junk). I poured the walls first, used rolling scaffold to erect the ribs that I assembled on the ground. Took maybe 2 days for me and 2 friends to assemble. Used 3900 bolts, all tightened from the inside with impact gun. Only thing I might change would be to insulate. With the straight sidewalls I can put shelves almost against the walls, all lights and electrical conduit uses the existing bolts as connectors. Also have the propane heaters hung from above.

 

[lcalverson13]

The Xframe is stronger for snow weight. I would not recommend elderly persons do this. The height and weight is a component of concern. I built my own baseplate. I found it very helpful for assembly. I would have bought the baseplate if it were 3k or less. The X frame was more like 7k for 48’ long. I feel that is not right priced.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a 25x36 Steelmaster A-model q-hut and has been trouble free and I would do it again. I built a scaffolding on a truck so I could move it and put up each section completed. After you have 3 rings up, it gets way easier because it is self supporting at that point. Having 4 people sure made a difference...maybe 6? The exposed threads on the bolts inside allow all sorts of opportunities to attach shelves, conduit, cord/tool hangers, elec outlets, kayak/bike hangers etc. by using double nuts. You have no gutters to mess with either.

 

[Rustyiron]

As mentioned, an 8' wide sea container is very difficult to use effectively for anything other than shelving.
Floor items will need to be moved out and in constantly to access stuff beyond it.

 

[hkbirdman]

As mentioned, an 8' wide sea container is very difficult to use effectively for anything other than shelving.
Floor items will need to be moved out and in constantly to access stuff beyond it.

I have a 20 ft. container with doors on both ends. Well worth the extra cost. Also - I like that it is literally rodent proof.

 

[ultrarunner]

Farm just had a single use 20' delivered and placed...

Prices are roughly double from 15 years ago...

Container, delivery and tax close to 3k

The need for rodent proof storage drove the purchase as even items in the large heavy plastic tubs allow rodents to gnaw through and the hope is the 2023 container will be a barrier.

Rodents have had a very good year and it could be all the rain last season.

 

[Rustyiron]

That's a good price for a single use. Must be a west coast thing with all the Chinese importation brings an abundance of empty cans vs the east coast.

 

[woody]

I am constantly getting emails from these folks with buildings on clearance some are pretty good deals, get your name and email on their list and watch for something you want.
SteelMaster Buildings
844-559-8582

 

[Torvy]

My ranching cousins have had a Quonset hut for at least my lifetime. The ranch has been in their family for 150+ years. The building has served them well. Snow doesn't accumulate on the roof, rain runs right down the corregated channels. Just need some gravel where it hits the ground.

That being said, their newer buildings are much bigger steel units that can fit many pieces of large equipment (combines, etc.)

 

[5030]

Farm just had a single use 20' delivered and placed...

Prices are roughly double from 15 years ago...

Container, delivery and tax close to 3k

The need for rodent proof storage drove the purchase as even items in the large heavy plastic tubs allow rodents to gnaw through and the hope is the 2023 container will be a barrier.

Rodents have had a very good year and it could be all the rain last season.

View attachment 833419

Not allowed here, against local zoning. No issue with me. I just place dryer sheets under the hoods and in the cabs and in the covered implements and a few mousers living in the barns. No mouse issues here, never have been. Dryer sheets and mousers are a lot less costly than any container will ever be.

 

[ultrarunner]

Mostly for all the off season storage of Christmas inventory and supplies…

Here I was thinking California would be the most restrictive but with AG zoning ok.

Everything from signs, tree netting, popcorn machine, tables, handicrafts, tables, the tree trunk drills, etc.

A tub with 100’s of tree transport netting was taken over by rats the power cord for the drill stand machines gnawed, etc.

Plus high dollar items like the craft tents…

A picture during set up of one of the tents