
A shipping container with a garage door is a game-changer for homeowners who want to add extra space to their property without breaking the bank.
These containers can be easily customized to fit your needs, with options ranging from 20 to 40 feet in length. You can even add windows, insulation, and a roof to make it a cozy space.
The garage door feature is a huge plus, allowing you to easily access the space and add a touch of elegance to your home's exterior. In fact, a well-designed shipping container with a garage door can increase your home's curb appeal and even boost its resale value.
With a shipping container with a garage door, you can turn a blank space into a home office, art studio, or even a guest house. The possibilities are endless, and the cost is significantly lower than building a traditional extension.
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Benefits
A shipping container with a garage door offers numerous benefits, including increased storage space and versatility.
These structures can be easily customized to fit your specific needs, whether you're looking to add a home office, a workshop, or a storage area.
You can store a wide range of items, from furniture and tools to vehicles and equipment, thanks to the high ceilings and spacious interiors.
With a shipping container with a garage door, you can also create a unique living space or guest house, perfect for Airbnb rentals or in-law suites.
The cost-effectiveness of shipping containers with garage doors is another significant advantage, as they can be purchased or rented at a lower cost than traditional buildings.
This makes them an attractive option for homeowners, businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to create additional space without breaking the bank.
Their durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions also make them a great choice for outdoor use, reducing maintenance costs and extending their lifespan.
The ease of installation and transportation of shipping containers with garage doors is another benefit, allowing you to have your new space up and running quickly.
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Features and Options
Shipping containers with garage doors offer a range of features and options that make them incredibly versatile.
They can be used as mobile workshops, retail outlets, pop-up event spaces, and on-site offices, thanks to the flexibility afforded by roll-up doors that simplify access to goods, equipment, or workspace.
Available in various sizes and finishes, these doors can be customized to meet specific needs, whether it's matching an existing container's aesthetic or requiring a unique size for a specific application.
The installation process is straightforward and non-invasive, allowing for quick retrofitting of existing containers without compromising their structural integrity.
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Transformative Roll-Up Doors
A roll-up garage door for a shipping container is a door that rolls up into a coil above the opening when you open it, saving valuable space.
Roll-up doors are incredibly strong and can handle indoor and outdoor conditions, making them a great choice for shipping containers.
These doors are also incredibly convenient, opening and closing easily to provide quick access to your container whenever you need it.

Roll-up doors come with reliable locking systems to help safeguard your items from theft or the elements, providing a secure solution for your shipping container.
With fewer moving parts than other types of doors, roll-up doors require less maintenance, making them a low-maintenance option for your container.
The addition of a roll-up door to a shipping container transforms its functionality entirely, evolving it into a dynamic space suitable for a wide range of applications.
Available in various sizes and finishes, roll-up doors can meet the specific needs of any project or application, making them a versatile option for your shipping container.
Here are some key benefits of roll-up doors:
- Space-saving design
- Durability and strength
- Convenience and ease of use
- Security features
- Low maintenance requirements
Double Glass Door
The Double Glass Door option is a unique and stylish way to customize your shipping container garage.
This feature uses glass garage doors instead of traditional metal panels, allowing for an abundance of natural light to flood the space.
Glass doors also provide an unobstructed view of the garage's contents from the outside, so you'll want to keep it tidy and organized.
A total footprint of 40 ft by 24 ft can be achieved with this setup, utilizing three parallel containers for added depth.
You'll sacrifice some privacy and energy efficiency, but the aesthetic benefits are undeniable.
Customer-Driven DIY and Shops

Shipping container garages can be incredibly versatile, as seen in the photos shared by customers of Container One.
A 40 ft High Cube shipping container can be used to build a garage with two giant lean-to sheds, as shown in Frank's project from Bingham, Maine.
The size of the container matters, with 20 ft Standard Cargo Worthy containers being a popular choice for lean-to sheds, like Dan's project in Divide, Colorado.
Two 20 ft shipping containers can be stacked to create a unique gable roof design made with lumber trusses.
In some cases, shipping containers can be used to create all-in-one stations for horses, like Amy's project in Whitewater, Colorado, which used two 40 ft High Cube Wind and Watertight containers.
A simple lean-to roof can also be added to a 40 ft High Cube shipping container to create an equipment shed.
Types and Uses
A shipping container with a garage door is a versatile structure that can be used in various ways.

You can use it as a traditional garage to store cars, bikes, or other equipment, as mentioned in the "Design and Features" section.
Its compact size and durability make it perfect for small homes or apartments, providing additional storage space.
The container's weather-resistant material and secure locking system ensure that your belongings stay safe and dry.
Some people use a shipping container with a garage door as a home office or studio, taking advantage of the natural light and ventilation, as seen in the "Interior Design" section.
Its adaptability makes it an attractive option for those who need a flexible workspace.
Workshop
A shipping container workshop makes perfect sense as a home base for household projects, especially if you already have some tools and supplies on hand.
You can quickly get to work building and fixing with adequate workspace and tool storage in a shipping container shop.
A single shipping container provides a decent amount of space, but it's often better to have a bit more room to move around.

Connecting two 20 ft shipping containers and removing their interior walls creates about 300 square feet of space in a 20 ft by 16 ft rectangle.
This design offers plenty of room for compact cars, and you can fit 3-4 vehicles with this design when using 40 ft shipping containers.
It's a good idea to outfit your shipping container garage with roll-up container doors or standard mounted garage doors to be able to lock them.
The estimated DIY cost to build a shipping container garage with two 20 ft containers and garage doors is around $10K-$15K.
Empty
An empty container garage can be a blank canvas for your creative vision.
You can fit four cars in a garage made from three adjacent 40-foot containers.
A garage with a floor area of 24 ft by 40 ft is a good size for most households.
You can effectively cut this design in half by using three 20 ft containers with a single 16-foot door instead.
This would make a 20ft by 24ft garage, which is still a decent size for two cars.
This design is a great option if you have a smaller yard or a smaller number of cars.
Single Plans

A single shipping container garage design is a great option for those on a tight budget, as it can store small vehicles like lawn tractors, ATVs, and motorcycles without any modifications.
A 20 ft shipping container is the minimum size required for this design, which can provide ample space for storing multiple vehicles.
To secure a car, small modifications may be needed, such as a roll-up door for the vehicle entrance and a man door or another roll-up door on the side of the container.
The estimated DIY cost to build a single shipping container garage is around $7000, which includes the cost of a 20 ft container with doors.
This option is not ideal for parking cars, but it does allow you to fully lock up your car safely and protect it from the elements.
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Construction and Cost
A shipping container with a garage door can be a cost-effective option.
Building with containers is generally price neutral and can even save you money, depending on the specific requirements of your project.
A 24ft by 20ft garage made from three 20ft used containers can cost around $6000 for the containers and another $1500 for a garage door, concrete for piers, and joining metal.
Shed
A shipping container shed can be a good choice if you need a secure place to store items like lawn equipment and pool toys. This type of shed can be locked up to protect your belongings.
Shipping containers are made of durable materials that won't rot or leak like wood sheds can. This makes them a great option for areas with high humidity or heavy rainfall.
A shipping container shed can be customized to fit your needs and budget. You can choose the size, style, and features that work best for you.
Shipping containers are also relatively low maintenance, as they don't require the same level of upkeep as traditional sheds. This can save you time and money in the long run.
Speed of Construction
A container garage can be up and running in minutes, literally, with a simple shipping container delivery.
Construction speed is surprisingly rapid, especially for those who need a garage made from several containers.

Cutting out walls and joining containers can be done in a weekend, and even quicker if the cut-outs are done offsite by the container vendor.
You don't need to wait for a large concrete slab to cure because container garages have a built-in floor.
This is a significant advantage over traditional garages, which can take much longer to build.
Cost
Building with containers can be a cost-effective option. A 24ft by 20ft garage made from three 20ft used containers can cost around $6000 for the containers and another $1500 for a garage door, concrete for piers, and joining metal.
In some cases, the cost of a container garage can be equal to or even less than a traditional steel building kit. A similar size steel building kit would run around $5500 for the kit, plus $2000 for a concrete slab foundation.
Less labor is involved in the container option, which can also provide savings on construction costs. There's arguably less labor required to assemble and connect the containers compared to building a steel structure.
The cost of a container garage can vary depending on the climate and local building requirements. However, with careful planning and execution, it's possible to save money on construction costs.
Durability

Shipping containers are built to last, with walls that are typically 0.0629 inches thick, making them about 3.5 times thicker than most garage steel building kits.
Manufacturers craft these doors from premium-grade steel or aluminum to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.
The design of these doors focuses on strength and security, offering peace of mind that contents remain protected against unauthorized access and theft.
The incorporation of weather-resistant seals and rust-proof coatings extends the lifespan of these doors, making them a long-lasting solution for container modifications.
A container garage should last a long time, giving you years of service, and it means you'll have a secure, lockable storage garage that you don't have to worry about.
Design and Architecture
If you have a bigger budget and some construction experience, you can get very creative with your shipping container garage build. With three or more containers, you can make an epic garage and workshop.

A creative shipping container garage design can be as simple as combining a few concepts. For instance, combining a gable roof with the lean-to carport design gives a three-bay mechanics dream.
You can add a third 53 ft shipping container against the back wall for ample storage. This will give you plenty of space for tools and equipment.
Superior Design & Durability
Shipping containers are built to last, with walls that are typically 0.0629 inches thick, making them about 3.5x as thick as garage steel building kits.
The robust construction of shipping containers is due to the use of premium-grade steel or aluminum, ensuring they withstand harsh environmental conditions.
These materials also provide peace of mind, as they offer strength and security against unauthorized access and theft.
Weather-resistant seals and rust-proof coatings extend the lifespan of shipping container doors, making them a long-lasting solution for container modifications.
A shipping container garage can last a long time with minimal maintenance, aside from addressing surface rust that may pop up.
Creative Architectural Designs

If you have a bigger budget and some construction experience, you can get very creative with your shipping container garage build.
A creative shipping container garage design can be as simple as combining a few of the concepts above. For instance, combining a gable roof with the lean-to carport design gives a three-bay mechanics dream.
With three or more containers, you can make an epic garage and workshop. This setup can be a game-changer for those who need ample storage and workspace.
A third 53 ft shipping container against the back wall can provide ample storage, making it perfect for mechanics or DIY enthusiasts.
The estimated DIY cost to build a creative shipping container garage design with three containers and materials is around $25K.
Sources
- https://globcontainers.com/product/40ft-container-with-roll-up-doors/
- https://www.discovercontainers.com/shipping-container-garages/
- https://super-box.us/roll-up-door-best-garage-door-for-shipping-container/
- https://targetbox.ca/product/rollup-door/
- https://containerone.net/blogs/news/shipping-container-garage
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