Shipping Container Garage

 Shipping Container Garages

Can you use a shipping container as a garage?

The simple answer is yes! It’s definitely possible to use a shipping container as a garage. Let’s explore some of the common questions and tips for using a shipping container as a garage..buy used shipping container

If you have been following the Conex Depot Blog articles, you will have seen that there are a wide variety of uses for used shipping containers. Many Americans have repurposed the empty steel containers to store their household and business goods, including vehicles. cargo containers for sale

In this week’s blog post, we look at using a used shipping container as a garage. We answer some of the common questions, provide some helpful technical information and provide some tips to help you decide if building a shipping container garage is the solution to storing your car or truck.

Homeowners that live in a house that does not have an existing garage can always build an addition – depending on local zoning laws. Or alternatively, they can look to an unorthodox solution in a shipping container garage.

Without a garage, owners are left to park their cars on the street. This may affect insurance rates and exposes the vehicle to vehicle break-ins or, worse, car theft. Searching Google for a solution will show that some more creative thinkers use a shipping container as a garage.

Business owners and private companies who have run out of garage space and require convenient and secure storage for their vehicles also have employed used Conex containers as garage storage.

What are the advantages of using a shipping container garage?

In the most basic type of use as a garage, a steel container provides a secure, lockable metal box for any vehicle – from classic cars to lawn and garden machinery. And we will see later several containers that can be modified and assembled to create a custom-designed shipping container garage for your home or business.

Convenience and speed. Any private homeowner with adequate space on their property can easily place a shipping container on the land. In most areas of the USA, you do not need planning permission or permits for temporary storage. If you have doubts, you should contact your Municipal Planning Authority with any questions that you have. A used shipping container purchased online can be delivered directly to your property within days.

Security and protection. A steel cargo container offers solid security and long-term durability in a dry environment. Steel shipping containers are rated as WWT (Wind and Water Tight)  – which protects your stored vehicles from the extremes of weather.

For many owners, security is the primary selling point of a container garage, as they are constructed of heavy gauge Corten steel and are burglary resistant to the majority of break-in attempts by criminals if outfitted with a quality lock. The construction of the shipping container doors is designed so that it is extremely difficult for a potential thief not be able to use the common tools to break the lock and gain entry to your shipping container.

One collector of motorcycles loves his shipping container garage for the convenience of storage on his property and the confidence that he has in the security of his bikes. A 20-foot shipping container has adequate space to store multiple motorcycles (or other types of smaller vehicles or lawn maintenance equipment) easily inside – and they are protected against thieves.

A few factors to think about

There are a number of factors to consider if you are thinking about whether to buy a shipping container to use as a garage.

First, you are going to need enough space on your property to place the container, with adequate room to be able to wheel vehicles in and out of the container. The most common sizes of Conex boxes are 20 ft and 40 ft in length and a width of approximately 8 feet.

A solid foundation. A heavy steel shipping container requires a level and solid surface to be placed. Most shipping container owners will prepare a simple foundation of blocks, a concrete slab, or railroad ties to place the container on. This step ensures that the container will not shift from the weight of the contents inside and makes it easier to move the container in the future. It’s not advised to place your container on land that is poorly drained, as rainwater accumulation in the soil may cause the container to shift and warp.

In areas of the USA that have extremes of cold and heat and high humidity, you may need to install basic ventilation on the shipping container so that condensation doesn’t create humidity problems for vehicle engines.

Size limitations. It seems obvious, but you need to select a container that has the correct door opening width to fit your vehicle inside. Does a shipping container have enough space to store the average car or SUV inside? Let’s take a look at some simple numbers.

How wide is a standard 20-foot shipping container?

The standard width is 8′ feet.
The specific dimensions of a 20-ft container are:
Exterior Dimensions (in feet): 20′ long x 8′ wide x 8′ 6” high. In meters: 6.10m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high.

What is the widest-sized shipping container you can buy?

Extra-wide shipping containers are cargo containers with additional width to fit larger single-piece items. Compared to a  standard shipping container which has an external width of 8′, the extra-wide Conex containers feature an external width of 10′. Depending on the special cases of your vehicle storage requirements, these precious two extra feet can give you the additional room that you need. Note that extra-width containers are not as commonly available and may require some extra effort to locate in your area.

Will the average vehicle fit in a shipping container?

The average car in the USA is 5.8 feet wide and will easily fit inside a shipping container. This also allows for the additional space required to open the car doors.