Are you in need of a backyard storage space or a fun addition to your home? A shipping container shed might be the right move for you! Shipping container sheds are repurposed shipping containers that are outfitted for whatever you need, whether that is a man cave, storage shed, an office space, a music studio, or anything else you can imagine!
Shipping container spaces are gaining more popularity as people are looking for alternative materials to create unique spaces with. With very few materials and a low budget, you can create a shed or getaway anywhere on your property with an upcycled shipping container.
Below we will lay out everything you need to know about shipping container sheds and get you ready to build one yourself!
How to Make a Shed Out of a Shipping Container
Perhaps the best part about shipping container sheds is that they come fully constructed and ready to go. There are a lot of additional things you can do to customize them and make them the perfect shed.
You can add partitions to divide up space and make it easier to organize. Another thing you can do is to add a ramp between the ground and the deck of the container so that you can drive or push your machinery into the container.
Adding different types of flooring can make the bottom of the container more aesthetically pleasing and easier to move things around on.
Adding shelving and storage compartments will help you organize your shed and fit more items in it. Adding things like air conditioning, lighting, windows, internet, a tv, and more can help you turn your shipping container into a comfortable external room.
Inspiring Examples of Shipping Container Sheds
There are hundreds of different ways people are designing shipping container sheds. Here are some of the most unique and inspiring examples of shipping container shed designs.
- Shipping Container Garden Shed
Shipping containers can be easily transformed into a beautiful garden shed that can house all of your landscaping tools. With enough room for almost any gardening equipment, you can fit mowers, trimmers, clippers, shovels, and much much more into a shipping container, making it the perfect garden shed.
- Shipping Container Barn Shed
Using multiple shipping containers to create a large structure has become more common in recent years as people are discovering their potential. From sheds to barns to entire homes, shipping containers can be used to build almost anything.
Barn sheds are made by stacking multiple containers together and hollowing out the inside to make a large, open space. If you are looking for a cheap alternative to building a barn, look into shipping container barn sheds.
- Shipping Container Storage Unit
If you need more space for storing your odds and ins, then consider adding a shipping container to your property to act as a storage unit.
You can store furniture, machinery, sports equipment, boats, outdoor gear, and so much more, all in the waterproof and pest-proof walls of a shipping container.
- Shipping Container Exercise Studio
Fitness buffs have begun to bring entire homemade gyms into their yard. A storage container can be customized into a backyard workout studio with a yoga mat, a set of weights, a lifting bench, and whatever other equipment you desire.
- Shipping Container Home Office
You can easily transform a shipping container into a separate room of the house. Adding electricity and a desk can quickly make a cozy and fun home office. If you are not in the market for a shed but rather need more living space than your home provides, consider making a shipping container into a completely functional room.
Pros of Shipping Container Sheds
Shipping container sheds are a new and innovative way to store things and utilize space in your yard. Here are the top pros of owning a shipping container shed.
Shipping Containers Save Money
Shipping containers cost less than typical sheds and will last much longer. To purchase a shed that is as stable and durable as a shipping container would cost you much more. This aspect alone is enough to consider sheds made from shipping containers.
If you go the DIY route, you can build a container shed for as little as $2500 to $4500 depending on the size and condition of the container you purchase.
Shipping Containers are Completely Customizable
You can turn a shipping container into any kind of space you desire. It comes as a lockable, weatherproof, durable room that you can do anything with. If you have kids, you can make a playhouse. If you are in a band, you can make a jam room. If you are an artist, you can make a studio. If you are a student, you can make a study area. The list goes on and on.
Whether you want a workout room or a place to store your lawn care equipment, a shipping container is completely configurable however you choose. Additionally, it is easy to change the exterior appearance of your container. You can paint it, cover it, add to it, and so much more. There are endless shipping container shed ideas.
Shipping Containers Are Incredibly Durable
Shipping containers are better constructed and more durable than a typical wooden or plastic shed. They are made from 14 gauge Corten steel, which lasts for years without the need for any repairs or maintenance.
Corten steel is a special type of steel that was developed to not need any paint covering. It is rust-resistant, and if the paint chips off, it will rust only on the surface and not go deeper into the steel. Shipping containers last, on average, about 25 years. They are made to be shipped overseas, so they are built with the most durable materials available.
Shipping containers are stronger than almost every other shed available on the market today. Shipping containers can withstand up to 192 metric tons, which is equivalent to 423288 pounds. This is far more weight than any typical wood or plastic shed can hold. Shipping containers can withstand the harshest weather conditions and will be unharmed.
Shipping Containers Are Portable
Another great feature of shipping container sheds is that they are completely portable. You can move them time and time again without having to worry about causing any structural damage to the shed. They are created to constantly be traveling from one location to another in the harshest conditions, so moving it around your yard is not an issue.
Additionally, if you spend time creating the perfect hideaway in your shipping container and then you decide to move, you can simply take it with you. With a typical shed, you usually leave it behind when you relocate, but with a shipping container, you can have it picked up and moved for you.
Shipping Containers Are Safe
If you have ever worried about someone breaking into your shed and stealing your expensive equipment, or worse, if you have ever experienced it first hand, then you can have peace of mind with a shipping container shed. Since they are made from such thick and durable metal, they are very hard to break into. Make sure and install a lock on whatever door you have to make sure it can’t be opened by anyone.
Recycled Shipping Containers Help The Planet
In recent years, shipping container homes and sheds have been popping up everywhere. They are not only cheap and easy but purchasing a used shipping container is helpful for the environment. Rather than having it thrown away or scrapped for metal, you can save energy, materials, and more by reusing it in the form of a shed!
Cons of Shipping Container Sheds
Although shipping container sheds are amazing, there are a few downsides to having one. Here are the top cons of owning a shipping container shed.
Shipping Containers Weight a Lot
Shipping containers are incredibly durable, especially compared to other sheds. The durability comes at a cost, though. Shipping container sheds a lot of weight. A standard shipping container is 40 feet long and weighs around 8,159 pounds.
Because they are so large, they are not easy to go pick up at a hardware store, like you could with a shed. Although they are portable, moving them is not easy and does require some serious equipment.
You will want a solid foundation to set your shipping container on because over time, it will compact soil and may become uneven. If this happens, it will be hard to open and will need to be realigned.
Shipping Containers Are Large
Different cities throughout the world have different regulations on the sizes of outdoor structures that you are allowed to build on your property. When your shed exceeds a certain size, you may need a specific license or building permit to have it on your property.
Typical shipping containers start at 20 feet by 8 feet. It is important to check your local regulations to determine if you can legally add a shipping container in your yard without special accommodations.
Placing them in your yard will require heavy equipment, and you will need ample yard space for the container. If you live in a home with a small yard or you do not have lots of property, then a shipping container shed likely will not work for you.
How to Maintain a Shipping Container Shed
Although shipping containers are durable and will last for years, it is important to keep them in prime condition to extend their life and keep it aesthetically pleasing. Here are some tips for maintaining your shipping container shed:
- Inspect paint once or twice a year and repaint any patches if they appear.
- Inspect the leveling of your container, especially if the doors are getting hard to open. Since they are heavy, settling may occur, and getting it re-aligned may be necessary. Check this annually to evaluate the evenness of your container.
- Check doors and windows annually to ensure weather stripping and caulking is intact.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a cost-effective, easy way to add a durable and long-lasting shed to your property, consider a shipping container shed. They are completely customizable, safe, and last for years with very little maintenance. There is an unlimited number of ways that you can customize your container to fit your exact needs.
Although they are heavy and large, which makes them difficult to move around, they are portable, and it is possible to take them with you if you choose to relocate. If you need space for tools, equipment, an office, an art studio, a man cave, a workout room, or anything else you can think of, then consider purchasing a shipping container today!
