How to Build a Perfect Shipping Container Garage for your Car

Apart from shipping container homes, another structure you can make using a shipping container is a garage for your car.

This type of garage will protect your vehicle from many problems such as strong winds, debris, dust and rain.

In addition, shipping container garages are robust, durable and economical. Well-made shipping container garages are also catchy and add value to a property.

The best part is that it’s not even hard to build the perfect shipping container garage for your car.

You don’t need any special skills to do it. If you are handy with tools and not afraid to get dirty, then you’re good to go.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1: Choose A Suitable Shipping Container For Your Garage

The first thing you need to do is to determine the type of garage you need.

Do you want it detached, semi-detached or attached to your property?

Will it be a garage for one, two or three cars?

How high do you want the garage to be? And for storage, will you need extra space?

Will you be using the garage space as a workshop? How much space will you need?

These are just some of the questions that’ll help you conclude what type of container garage best suits your needs.

Choose A Size You Need

The shipping container is going to be the basis of your garage.

Hence, you have to work out the right size and type for the project.

There are many different types of shipping container size ranging from 10ft, 20ft to 40ft and high cube containers.

These container sizes are determined by their exterior dimensions. For example, a 20ft container is usually 20ft long, 8ft wide and 8ft tall.

The width and height for a large container are standard at 8ft but can sometimes vary depending on the container model.

When considering the exterior shipping container sizes and dimensions, also take into account the interior measurement.

Due to the thick walls, the interior of a 20ft container may measure 19’4″ long, 7’8″ wide and 7’10” high.

Generally, a 20ft container is preferable for making home garages due to its size and price.

But ultimately, the choice of container size will depend on the space available and your garage requirements.

Note that some local building regulations don’t allow garages to go beyond a specific size. So this will affect your decision.

Choose Between New Or Used Container

Next, you will have to choose between a new or used container.

Both options have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a new container will be spotless and without dents, but maybe a bit expensive.

Used shipping container prices are lower, but these can show signs of wear from previous use.

If you don’t want to do any reconditioning, you need to get a new container.

Otherwise, a used container will work just fine and save you a lot of money along the way.

If you are looking for a used container, this guide on how to buy a used container may be helpful.

Step 2: Decide On The Kind Of Roof And Style You Want For The Garage

Once you conclude on the size requirements of your garage, you will need to come up with a roof and style plan.

A simple and neat garage may be ideal if you are building a one-car garage.

Placing two containers parallel to each other with a roof between them is also a typical style among homeowners. It provides plenty of space for parking multiple cars and storing other items.

Joining up shipping containers or stacking them up are also options you can consider. These options are suitable if you need ample car storage space.

Apart from the style, you also need to think about the roof design when building a shipping container garage.

There are many different types of roofs that you can consider based on the style of garage you’ve chosen.

Typical roofs designs include gable, hip, bonnet, butterfly, curved, flat, mansard, gambrel and skillion (shed roof).

Step 3: Select A Suitable Location For The Garage

Now, you need to select a location for your garage. A clear, level surface is preferable, away from other structures or possible problem areas such as water or power lines.

When choosing the building area, keep local building codes in mind, as they vary from region to region.

But generally, a garage should not encroach within 8ft of property lines in rural areas and up to 4ft within city limits.

Many building codes also require that you set back a detached garage from the existing property by at least 8ft.

Check with your zoning offices what the requirements are for building a container garage in your area. Also, find out whether you need a permit to proceed.

Typically, you will not need a permit for a garage of ​​up to 120 square feet in many areas. In addition, a temporary structure will not require a building permit.

Also, if you live in a neighborhood that has a homeowners association, make sure your garage meets its regulations

Step 4: Determine The Entrance And Door Of The Garage

Determining the door placement at this stage is very important. It makes the rest of the building process easier.

Since you’re building the structure for parking your car, it makes more sense for the entrance to face the driveway for easy accessibility.

Regarding the door, calculate the appropriate width and height according to the size of your car.

Once this is done, you can add at least one foot on each side of the container.

Add at least one more foot on top for headroom and an additional 18 inches beyond the door height to accommodate it.

You have the basic outline to create the perfect door for your container garage with these measurements in hand.

You can DIY the door, call in an expert to help you, or find a local door retailer and take a look at what they have to offer.

Step 5: Lay The Foundation

You must lay a strong foundation for your shipping container garage.

Luckily, there are many foundation options to choose from.

One option would be a concrete slab. It is strong, durable, convenient to use and also cheaper to build.

Building a concrete slab foundation will require excavating the ground and using brick rubbles and cement for the foundation to stand.

Other foundation options you can consider are steel pipe footings, concrete footings or a wooden beam foundation.

Before laying the foundation, make sure to mark and clear the area accordingly.

Step 6: Prepare The Shipping Container

Now your foundation is ready; it’s time to place the shipping container. But before that, perform all modifications on the container at this stage.

Doing it after you’ve put it on location may be a challenge.

For a new container, you can repaint or apply a rust-proof coating.

But if you bought a used container, you may want to inspect it for surface rust, holes, spots, and cracks before using it.

Such issues may seem minor but can cause significant damage to your garage, car and other items you store inside.

So, remove any surface rust on the container and treat the surface to prevent further rusting.

Repaint the container to give it a facelift and get a professional to mend any holes and cracks.

Step 7: Accessorize Your New Container Garage

Lastly, you can add some finishing touches to your almost perfect shipping container garage.

Remember that shipping containers are bare canvasses that you can modify and accessorize however you want.

Just think about how you plan to use the space and what you may need to make it beautiful and functional to your needs.

Here are some ideas on how to custom shipping container garage:

• Add insulation to control the temperature in the garage and prevent your car and other items from condensation
• Build shelves and cabinetry inside the garage to make organization easy
• Install wall hangings to avoid monotony on the walls
• Build new flooring that’s more to your taste
• Paint the ceiling and walls a new color
• Lay down a ramp to make it convenient to drive a car in and out of the garage
• Add security features such as security lighting, cameras, alarms and motion sensors. These are especially important if you intend to store valuable stuff in the garage.
• Install a dehumidifier to prevent dampness in your garage space
• Add more windows to allow airflow and to open up the space for some natural light to seep through
• Put in a fan for more ventilation. It will also come in handy whenever you want to work in the space.
• Create drainage in the floor. It is essential if you want a place for runoff to flow.
• Add electrical outlets if you plan to be working in the garage

In this final step, hire a qualified technician to install internal components like the lights, fan, cameras, and electrical outlets.

Well, that’s it! Learning to build a shipping container garage wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be.

If you’re looking to import quality and affordable shipping containers from China for building garages, Tj chinafreight can help.

We know most container manufacturers in China and have established long-term relationships with them.

Meaning, we can help you get the best quality deals and assist in transporting the containers to your destination.

Contact us today in case you need any shipping container.