How a shipping container shelter is built in under 3 days
Our Perth depot needed more space for container modifications to accommodate our growing operations. Rather than building a permanent steel structure, we installed a Shipping Container Shelter that gave us an 18-metre covered workspace, up to 15 degrees cooler in the shade, built in under three days.
This blog walks through every stage of the install so you can see exactly what’s involved if you’re considering a Container Shelter for your own site.
What is a Shipping Container Shelter?
A Shipping Container Shelter spans the gap between two or more shipping containers, creating a large covered area underneath. The shipping containers act as both the foundation and the walls, while an engineered steel frame and heavy-duty fabric roof provide the overhead protection.
Think of it as a relocatable covered workspace without the cost or lead time of a traditional steel shed. The containers themselves double as secure, lockable storage, so you’re getting covered workspace and storage in one setup.
Common uses include:
Why we chose a Container Shelter for our depot
We looked at a few options for extending our modification operations, and a container shelter stood out for a few reasons:
Usable container space
Three of the four base containers are side opening shipping containers, giving the team easy access to tools and workshop gear.
Relocatable
The shelter can be dismantled and moved across the depot or to a different site.
Fast to install
The entire container shelter build was completed in under three days.
Cooler working conditions
Up to 15 degrees cooler under the shelter compared to direct sun.
How we built the container shelter
Preparation: Building the foundations
Like any major project, the prep work starts well before anything gets built. We worked with engineers weeks prior to plan how to secure the four shipping containers that form the base of the shelter.
There are two main options for anchoring containers:
- 1
Concrete ballast attached to the outside of the containers.
- 2
Bolting the shipping containers directly to concrete pads.
We went with the concrete pad option. Eight reinforced concrete pads were poured, each 800mm deep and 3.6 metres long. This method preserved floor space inside and around the containers, which matters as three of them are Side Opening Shipping Containers to allow easy access to workshop gear.
Once the concrete cured, the containers were bolted directly to the pads, creating a solid, secure base for the shelter frame. Concrete pads were also essential as we had to factor in a 500mm slope over the 18 metre length.
Day 1: Unpacking and preparing the frame
With the shipping containers secured, the installation team unpacked two to three cradles of framing and braces. All framing and components in our shelter install service are supplied to an engineered specification, sized to suit your container layout and the footprint you need.
This applies whether you’re using existing containers you already own or shipping containers supplied by us.
The individual frame sections were bolted together on the ground with the aid of a forklift to lift and position the heavier pieces. By the end of day one, all seven shelter frames were fully assembled and ready to go.
Understanding wind ratings
Your local wind region determines how much framing and how many tie-down points your shelter needs to withstand severe weather. Areas prone to cyclones like upper North Queensland will require added reinforcement. Visit our guide below to check which wind region you’re situated in.
Perth sits in Wind Region A, which required 14 mounting brackets welded along the top edge of each container. When installed professionally, this setup is designed for wind speeds of up to 148 km/hour. Other configurations support a maximum of 288km/hour winds.
Day 2: Welding brackets and lifting the frames
Welding the mounting brackets
Each mounting bracket is welded onto a shim plate along the top container rails, spaced three metres apart. The entire shelter frame has to align perfectly when it’s lifted into position and getting this stage right is crucial.
Crane lift and frame installation
Once the brackets were in place, each of the seven shelter frames were lifted by crane and guided into position by installers on each end. The frames are threaded onto bolts and secured to the mounting brackets one by one.
It’s a hands-on process that takes a large amount of manual labour to lift and secure into position. Precision matters because every frame needs to perfectly align with the brackets welded earlier that day.
Day 3: Bracing and securing the cover
Structural bracing
With all seven frames in place, the team added:
- 1Horizontal bracing to tie the frames together along their length.
- 2Diagonal bracing at the front and rear to reinforce the overall structure.
This step makes the whole frame fully rigid before the cover goes on. Without it, the structure wouldn’t handle lateral wind loads.
Adding the cover
The final stage is the heavy-duty tension fabric cover. Built for long-term outdoor exposure, with waterproof and UV-resistant properties.
How the shelter cover is added:
- 1Ropes are run across the frame roughly every six metres.
- 2The ropes are tied off to a truck.
- 3The cover is pulled over the top of the shelter frame in one smooth run.
- 4Once positioned, the cover is ratcheted down evenly to the inner frame for a tight, clean finish.
The completed container shelter
The final build is a rigid and functional covered workspace. For our Perth depot, this shelter has completely changed the daily workflow. The modification team now has a dedicated undercover space that stays cool and dry, rain or shine.
We sell these shelters to customers across Australia, so installing one at our own depot was a pretty easy decision. We trust the product enough to run our own operations under it every day.
Why a Container Shelter instead of a steel shed?
Container shelters are a practical alternative to traditional steel sheds. They’re an affordable way to get covered workspace in days, not weeks.
| Features | Container Shelter | Traditional Steel Shed |
|---|---|---|
| Install time | 2-4 Days | 1-3 Weeks |
| Foundations | Concrete pads or ballast | Full slab typically required |
| Relocatable | Yes, can be dismantled and moved | No |
| Built-in storage | Containers double as lockable storage | Separate storage needed |
| Temperature | Cooler, fabric diffuses heat | Can trap heat under metal roof |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally Higher |
Get a project estimate
Container Traders supplies shipping container shelters Australia-wide, backed by a 10-year warranty and made for Australian conditions. We can help you work out the right size, wind rating, and accessories for your site, and supply the containers to go with it.
Call our team or request a quote online for current pricing and delivery timeframes.
