Contrary to many beliefs, shipping units have many more applications than simple transportation or storage. Office space, modular working environments, garages, and even pools - these are just some of the ways you can repurpose a unit. Cheap, easy to handle, sturdy, and reliable, they also make for excellent sheds, convenient for gardening, storage, or use as a workshop. Today, we are going to learn about shipping container shed conversion.
If you are wondering, “Can I use a shipping container as a shed? Is it even possible?” this guide is for you! Let’s learn everything you need to know about how to make a shipping container look like a shed.
Why Use a Shipping Container as a Shed?
Storage units are renowned for their excellent durability and versatility, which is the reason they are used in logistics. They are able to withstand extreme weather and extensive use without deteriorating, and proper maintenance can make them last for decades. At the same time, they are relatively easy to operate, require little upkeep, and can be easily modified, making them a viable choice even for living spaces.
In terms of container sheds, they beat traditional wooden or brick-and-mortar cabins thanks to their strong walls made of corrugated steel, which provides the aforementioned durability. They also provide excellent security, being practically impossible to break into. In addition to that, units are highly eco-friendly. Most container sheds are made by upcycling, helping reduce waste and create a sustainable solution for your outdoor storage needs.
Benefits of Using a Shipping Container as a Shed
Durability: Industrial-grade steel is the most common storage unit material and their main advantage. This material is highly resistant to weather conditions, impact, pests, and rot. If you need a structure for long-term purposes, units will serve you well.
Cost-effectiveness: Traditional brick-and-mortar cabins require more substantial investments than using a shipping container as a storage shed. With this option, the frame, the floor, the walls, and the ceiling are already there, requiring only a little customization (which you also would need to do for regular units).
Customization: As mentioned before, using a shipping container as a shed gives you endless room for modification. Install windows, doors, shelves, insulation, and whatever else you may need! Creating a fully functional and personalized storage container shed has never been easier.
Mobility: Traditional cabins are usually impossible to move when relocating. On the contrary, sheds made from shipping containers are highly mobile, allowing you to move them with you all over the country.
Pest-proof: Wood requires extensive work from your side to prevent termites, rodents, and other pests from damaging it. On the other hand, steel construction of shipping contianer sheds keeps any pests away from it, making the maintenance so much easier.
Transform your outdoor space with Midstate Containers
If you don’t know where to start - Midstate’s specialists are here to help you! To convert a shipping container to a shed, you need certain modifications that may be challenging to install DIY, and we are always there to help. Just contact us at sales@midstatecontainers.com or (805) 925-4422 to receive professional consultation or order a shipping container shed conversion.
Steps to Convert a Shipping Container into a Shed
If you are ready to create a functional and efficient solution that will serve you long, here is where you start.
Choose the Right Container
The first step in turning a shipping container into a shed is selecting the right unit. Assess the amount of room you need, as well as how much space you can allocate to the project. If you are looking for a tool storage space, a standard 20-foot unit would be enough, while a workshop may require a 40-foot one. When picking the unit, ensure it is in good conditional, with no great dents, rust, or leaks. If you are looking for a solution just for you, check Midstate’s website, where we offer storage containers suitable for any purpose.
Prepare the Site
Once you have picked your perfect unit, it’s time to prepare the site to ensure a sturdy foundation. Containers are quite heavy, so a solid base is crucial. Here are the most common options:
Before installing the foundation, ensure the ground is level and compacted to prevent your construction from sinking.
Plan the Layout
Planning is the key, so decide on the location of all the elements in your unit before starting to modify the unit. Make sure the shelves don’t cover windows, the door is in a convenient place, and other elements don’t interfere with each other.
Make Modifications
This is the step that truly turns a unit into a functional container shed. If they aren’t there yet, start by adding man doors, windows, and vents for accessibility and airflow. If you are living in a hot environment and are planning to keep temperature-sensitive items or work in the cabin, air conditioning may be crucial, too. If you are looking for extra functionality, consider extra shelves for your equipment or separate room partitions for different uses.
Insulate and Ventilate
Any shed requires at least a minimal level of climate control, so vent modifications and insulation modifications are vital. Whether on not you are going to keep temperature-sensitive items there, a shipping container turned into a shed needs to be ventilated and insulated to avoid significant temperature swings, condensation, and mold growth inside.
Finish the Interior
Once all the modifications are installed, it’s time for you to finish the interior. Whether you are creating a workshop, a shipping container tool shed, or a regular storage place, make sure the walls and floor are sealed and durable. You can also add lighting and outlets to enhance the usability of the space.
Build your own storage container shed with Midstate Containers tips
Although it may seem overwhelming at first, shipping container shed conversions are pretty easy and straightforward if you know what you are doing. Just contact us today at sales@midstatecontainers.com or (805) 925-4422 to receive a personalized consultation with Midstate’s best specialists.
Best Uses for Shipping Container Sheds
Still wondering how to use a shipping container shed? Here are a few of the best and most common practices!
Garden Sheds
Use the unit’s strong walls for tool storage, a potting bench, or hooks for hanging gardening tools. Just add a little creativity and make a backyard shipping container shed that blends seamlessly into your landscape.
Mobile shed
Mobile cabins are some of the most convenient work/storage solutions. They can be easily relocated, making them ideal for contractors who frequently change their worksites.
Bike or car shed
Shipping container sheds are usually spacious enough for bikes, motorcycles, or even cars. Just add ramps and a secure door and you’ve got yourself a reliable garage or vehicle transportation space.
Conclusion
Whether you’re building a shipping container for a storage shed, a unit turned into a shed or a shipping container shed conversion for specialized purposes, the process is straightforward and rewarding. These versatile structures are durable, eco-friendly, and customizable to suit various needs. By following the steps outlined here, you can create a functional and stylish container shed that stands the test of time.
FAQ
What is the best foundation to place a container on?
Concrete slabs, wooden beams, and gravel beds provide the best stability and longevity.
Can I use a shipping container as a shed?
Of course! Shipping units as cabins are durable, versatile, and cost-effective solutions for storage or workspace needs.
Can you make a shed from a shipping container?
Yes, proper modifications (adding doors, installing insulation and ventilation, etc) can help turn a unit into a functional storage space. At Midstate Containers, we can help you pick and modify a unit for the best shed imaginable.
How to make a shipping container look like a shed?
If you are going after aesthetics, try adding decorative cladding, painting the exterior, or integrating landscaping elements like flower beds or trellises.
