My Sea Container Garage

My sea container garage/work shop project - Summer 2019. Painting and trim will be finished next summer.

I would like to thank all my friends who helped me with this project over the summer.

How I built my Shipping Container Garage


Background

I purchased two shipping containers for storage, but this was not necessarily practical. I needed a space to work….I wanted a workshop. So following many internet searches, Youtube videos and with my AutoCad skills, I designed my garage.

Here are some of the many tasks and jobs that were done to bring my sea container garage to fruition.

1. The first step was to design my garage. There were many concepts done, but I finally decided to have a 14’ space in between the 2 cans that would house my shop area. The outside dimensions are roughly 20’ long X 30’ wide.

2. Now I was able to put my sea cans in place. I laid out the location of my screw piles and drove them into the ground. There are 4 screw piles per container and the 2 piles at the front are held together with a 6 x 6 PT lumber beam bolted into the saddles of the piles. This is typical for the front and back.

3. Now the fun began; it was time to move the containers. With jacks, pipes, old railway ties, and the help of a few friends with quads with winches, we jacked, tugged and pushed the sea cans into place. Actually, this went relatively well with the great help from my friends and neighbors which in turn, made this task much easier.

4. During the Winter months, I made my material list, ordered my engineered trusses and did all the necessary preparation that would allow me to start construction in the Spring of 2019.

5. Spring 2019 finally arrived and I began the first task of bolting down my top plates on the outer edges of each container. The top plates consist of two 2x6 boards nailed together sitting on wooden shims placed between the container ribs and bolted through the container’s metal roof with carriage bolts. After the top plates were in place, I installed the hurricane clips.

6. With the help of two of my cottage friends, we used elbow grease to lift the 11 trusses into place. This took a little over an hour and the trusses were all sitting in the hurricane clips. Next, we had to level, brace and fasten all the trusses. Since I decided to install a metal roof, strapping was required, so 2x4’s were nailed into the top of the trusses at every 16”.

7. It’s roofing time. I ordered my metal roof panels in continuous lengths, roughly 18.5’ long which allowed for somewhat of a quicker installation. Of course, we had to do the roofing during some of the hottest days of the summer.

8. With the roof mostly done, I was able to start working on the garage floor area in between the containers. The nice part of this job, I was able to work in the shade during the warm sunny days and I was also able to work when it rained because I was now covered. The pressure treated wooden floor frame is supported with 12x adjustable screw piles and covered with 3/4” marine grade pressure treated plywood.

9. With the floor levelled, it was time to build the outer walls which were framed with 2 x 6 lumber. The rear wall is a full 8’-3” high x 14’ wide wall with no openings. The front wall, also framed with 2 x 6, has a 36” wide mandoor and an 8’ wide x 7’ high overhead door. 2 x 4 interior walls were also installed to allow for wiring, pink insulation and a vapour barrier to be installed. Norbord’s 7/16” OSB was then used to finish the walls and ceiling. Also, above the ceiling I installed a lifting beam wich consists of five 2x6 x 16’ long boards nailed together spanning 14’ and sitting on both containers. From the interior picture on the video, you can see 4 lifting eyes at the ceiling which are fastened to the hidden lifting beam.

10. The siding used for this project was LP’s OSB SmartSide. Very simple and quick to install. Following the siding installation, it was time to paint which I did with the help of a paint spray gun. The painting was quick, however, it was prepping the containers that took the longest.

11. Then came the soffit and fascia. This job really changes the appearance and gives you a bit of hope that the project is nearing completion.

12. The electrical portion was not complicated and consisted of installing a few plugs and LED lighting. I also installed a propane heater. You kind of need that in Northern Ontario if you want to be comfortable during our many cold months.

I still have a bit of painting to do on the mandoor, vents and I also need to install some outdoor trims.

I hope this is helpful and I hope that if you decide to move forward with a similar type project, that you will have as much fun as I did.

[captainlouis]

Originally, that is how I envisioned my home. About 10 feet more between sea containers and 2 loft bedrooms. Very nice.

[Msmaggy-dq]

This is amazing, I just got my 40ft container from Wuwi Shipping Container very cheap and even paid it upon delivery. cant wait to start working.

[JOEZEP]

I read some of the comments, some negative some suggesting a different approach. But this was your choice as to why & how you will use this building. The containers provide good safe storage & if you do not need the extra space & wanted the cosmetic of a full roof that again is your choice. Nice Job.
Big 👍 Stay safe, Joe Z

[Hiawatha]

Probably the best design and completion of this concept I have seen . Well done, your attention to detail is marvelous .

[johnnycashh]

Great concept, I think I would have the roller on both sides or at least a back door and laid down a concrete floor. Surprised we don't see more of them. Thanks for sharing!

[iceflameproductionz]

cool stuff, i intend to do the same but with the roof sat up higher so i have at least 12ft interior height. kinda of like dieselcreeks container garage. and concrete floors, it would be my heavy quipment shop

[chuck]

Thank you for sharing. I dig it!!! I have plans to do something similar. So cool.

[sixdsix]

That would be a pretty fast and robust way to build a small house with tons of storage to either side. Nice

[FWCaptain-kvsm]

I’m here to see how you attached it all to the can.

[keithprinn]

Unless there is significant storage or other use for the roof area that is a massive amount of timber and other resources being used for a roof in an otherwise cost cutting shed and garage IMHO.

[charlietanner]

containers make for good safe storage the way things are now days you need a good lockup place

[davidlaw]

Thanks for you video it was a great inspiration. Al the best.

[DuchesnesCorner]

Thanks for the update. Turned out great. But... you need to explain how that man door opened when you walked up to.😂 I even slowed it down and could not see your hand in the reflection...🧐🤔

[michaeldegrote]

Only thing I would do is weld some lock boxes on the containers cause you can’t cut them lock

[thefrub]

VERY cool use of cans, but I'm confused by what it's purpose is? Can't park anything heavy on a wooden floor

[nothandybutcheap]

Hey brother everybody is critic I would be very happy with that building secure storage place to work what else do you need ... beer ok that’s it

[razbishara]

Looks awesome mate…Good work…Well done!…Solar Panel Power on the cards?

[DuchesnesCorner]

Just wondering about a update? Finished interior, how is it holding up, things you like or might do different...

[MrPetrvershinin]

PROBLEM: the containers are almost on damp ground and I am sure that the bottom of the containers has not been treated with an anti-corrosion coating, WHICH SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY CONTINUOUSLY.
.... THE ENTIRE structure is already connected by the roof, and in this case, I would use jacks and raise everything to such a height that I could work with the bottom of the containers.
if this is not done, then after 3-4 years the bottom will rust to holes ...., - Alas !!!

[ALSomthin]

I wanted to do this but city building codes wouldnt allow it.