Building a Shipping Container Barn

Building a large barn can be expensive, as many of you know. Fortunately, shipping container barns can offer a more economical alternative to traditional barns and, if done right, look just as professional. If you’re considering going this route, we thought we’d share some basics for planning, building, and maintaining a barn such as this.

To begin with, there are a number of advantages of building a shipping container barn over a traditional barn. Some of these advantages include:

• More economical (in most cases)

• More durable and weather-resistant

• Eco-friendly way to re-purpose containers no longer in use for shipping

• Can be built much more quickly than most traditional barns

Planning Your Container Barn

Container barns can be built using either 20 or 40 ft shipping containers, and either height will do as well, whether it’s the standard 8.5 ft or high-cube 9.5 ft containers. Though there are several ways you can use containers to build a barn, one of the more common practices is to use two containers (of the same length and height) as your side walls for the barn, then construct a roof that spans between the two containers. A barn like this can easily be used as a livestock shelter or for equipment storage.

Laying the Foundation

When building any type of barn, the first two things you’ll need to do is create a level area and construct a stable foundation. Popular foundation options for a container barn include a concrete slab, pier blocks, or a compacted gravel pad. To prevent standing water in or around your barn, building a pad that sits higher than surrounding ground is important.

Roof and Framing

Keep in mind that your roof and framing choices will affect water drainage, ventilation inside the barn, as well as snow load if you live in a colder climate. Gable or truss roofs are best for runoff and create more headspace. Ideal framing materials should consist of corrosion-resistant steel or treated lumber.

Container Barn Maintenance

Because containers (like any metal surface) are prone to rust over time, inspecting surfaces regularly, removing rust, and applying rust-inhibiting primer/paint is important to keep your container barn not only looking good but remaining structurally sound in the longterm. Likewise, you’ll want to check doors and window seals and address any places where water can leak in. By painting and sealing the exterior panels of your container barn every few years, you can also help to prevent corrosion and leaks.

Below, we’ve included a Youtube video from Solo Jim Outdoors that shows the process of building a DIY shipping container barn. The video includes information on the following steps:

1. Dirt work and setting the foundation for a container barn

2. Setting the containers on the foundation

3. Setting the trusses and anchoring them

4. Building the eaves and gables

5. Roofing a container barn

6. Trims and finishes to complete the barn

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Hopefully, the information above, as well as the Youtube video, gives you a good idea of whether or not a container barn is the right option for you. If you decide to go with this style of barn and you live in the Tulsa or Muskogee metro or surrounding areas, give us a call at Okie Containers (918-500-1978) to get started! We carry a wide selection of new and used containers, including multi-door containers for compartmentalized access.