Shipping containers are handy when you are short on space and need a cost-effective solution for your personal or business storage needs. You might be asking yourself: why use a shipping container as a garage? To answer your question, compared to building a new garage, having a container garage is considerably easier to install, modify and maintain on your property. Many of our customers convert their sea container into a garage because it’s ideal for storing their car, boat, motorcycle, bike, and tools in a dry and safe place on their property. Here we will share what you need to know before getting started and the different reasons why there are so many benefits of using a sea container garage.
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Whether or not you will need permission before placing a shipping container on your property depends on your location because each municipality, city, and strata has its own rules and regulations. In addition, the intended use of the shipping container impacts which bylaws and regulations are applicable. For instance, if you’re planning on using it as a home, office, garage, or an extension of your home, then zoning bylaws and building codes will be especially important.
Receiving a permit usually requires a city-certified building inspector to verify that your container will not violate any building codes or local zoning bylaws. They will also make sure that there aren’t any safety or health concerns. Therefore, it’s essential to do your research and to consult the regulations, rules, and bylaws in your municipality before deciding to build your own shipping container garage.
Other than receiving a permit if needed, there are a few key questions to consider before making a shipping container garage. These questions can also help you prepare for any questions that a city-certified building inspector may have about how your storage container will be converted to a garage.
Before you set up your container garage, it can be helpful to have a general idea of how much space you will need. When you are looking at your future garage design and plans, knowing if you will be using it for cars, boats, trailers or as a motorcycle garage impacts the size and type of shipping container you’ll want.
There are many different container sizes that you can use to build your own container garage. The most common sizes for sale are the 20’ and 40’ STD (standard height) containers. If you need an extra foot in height, consider an HC (high cube) container. Although there are many different types of storage containers available, if you want to make a garage, then dry containers, double door containers and open side containers are popular choices.
Deciding if you want a new or used container is an important decision to make as you get started. New containers are often known as One Trip Containers since they have only travelled once, while used containers are usually 10-15 years old. At Coast Containers, all of our new and used containers undergo inspection to ensure they’re Wind and Watertight (WWT), rodent-proof, and structurally sound with solid floors and functioning doors.
Now that you know how much space you will need, the next step is to decide where to place it. Containers can be pretty heavy, especially after they are full of things. Over time, they may sink and shift position if placed on an uneven or soft space. Ideally, you should have a relatively flat spot with firm ground, like a paved or gravel area.
One of the many benefits of using a sea container garage is that you can modify, customize, and personalize it to meet your specific needs. There are endless options available when creating your garage plans. It can be helpful to know in advance if you will need or want any particular modification for your container garage.
One of the advantages of using shipping container garages is that they are easy to install. Be sure there is enough space for a tilt-bed truck to deliver your container quickly and efficiently. Upon arrival, your container is practically ready to be used as a garage. If you want to move your storage container in the future to a more desirable location, you can use a tilt-bed truck to relocate it.
One of the benefits of creating a shipping container garage is that they’re made of solid steel and are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. As a result, they can last for many years to come with relatively minimal care and maintenance.
The fact that they are easy to modify and highly customizable is just one of the reasons why using a shipping container as a garage is a fantastic option. There are endless possibilities to personalize and transform your container garage to meet your needs and specifications. At each Coast Container service location across Canada, we can add a variety of modifications and accessories to your container before delivery, including skylights, locks, ventilation systems, insulation, roll-up doors, solar panels, and windows.
One of the benefits of using a shipping container as a garage is that compared to building an entirely brand new garage, the cost of purchasing a container is a cost-effective way to save money while still getting the job done. Container prices vary based on if they are new or used, their size, type, and modifications that you choose. Your delivery location can also be a significant factor in the cost.
Storage containers are available in a variety of sizes and types. Using a sea can as a garage is a great alternative if you are short on space and don’t have room to spare on your property. As long as you have enough room for the container size that you choose, you shouldn’t need too much extra space. If you need a little bit of additional height, the High Cube (HC) containers are perfect since they’re an extra foot taller than standard storage containers.
There are many other benefits of using a sea container as a garage. Remember to prepare and plan in advance because it can help you receive a permit for your container. Most importantly, get creative and have some fun as you transform your shipping container and build a garage.
At Coast Containers, we help guide our customers through choosing the correct container size, type and modifications to best suit their specific personal and business needs. To start your journey of using a shipping container as a garage, simply select one of our locations and get a quote.
Not sure if you are ready to buy a container yet? Our partner company, Make Space Storage, offers various shipping container rental services and storage solutions, including self-storage, parking, portable storage rentals, and moving services across Canada.
