Container Shelters

Description

Container Shelters

A container shelter covers a large span without a steel portal frame or a concrete slab. Shipping containers are set parallel on either side of the area you want covered, and a domed tensile membrane structure is mounted across the top to span between them. Frame footings bolt or weld directly onto the containers, which act as the foundation — so there is no groundwork and the whole thing can be taken down and moved.

The containers are not just structure, either. While they are holding the shelter up they remain usable as storage, a site office, a lunch room or a first aid room, which is a genuinely efficient use of the same footprint. For more headroom, stacking two containers per side raises the walls beneath the membrane and doubles the enclosed container space at the same time.

It also works without containers at all. The same shelters can be sited on walls or posts, or supplied as stand-alone structures — useful on farms, multi-site operations and energy sector work where there is no container fleet to build on.

Two ranges are available: a Premium range custom manufactured across a wide variety of sizes, and a Platinum range pre-made in selected sizes. Wind and snow-load ratings depend on span, membrane grade and anchoring method, so tell us your site conditions and we will confirm the certified rating for your configuration before you order.

Specification and options

• Spans between two rows of containers — no portal frame, no slab, no groundwork
• Frame footings bolt or weld onto the containers themselves
• 6–16 m (20–52 ft) wide and 6–30 m+ (20–98 ft) long
• Durable tensile membrane construction
• Supporting containers remain usable as storage, office or welfare space
• Stack two containers per side for additional height
• Also sited on walls, posts, or free-standing with no containers
• End walls available for a fully enclosed structure
• Permanent or transportable models
• Premium range custom manufactured; Platinum range pre-made in set sizes
• Low radiant heat transfer; full sun block-out available
• No exposed beams for birds to roost on
• Variety of colors
• Wind and snow-load ratings confirmed per configuration — send us your site conditions
• Covered by our standard 12-month warranty

Choosing between a shelter and an enclosed building

A container shelter earns its place when you need large-span cover quickly and cheaply: the containers on either side do the structural work, so there is no steel portal frame to erect and no slab to pour. What you give up is climate control and full security, since the volume under the membrane is open unless end walls are specified.

Where the job actually needs an enclosed, serviced space, a converted shell is the better answer – see our container workshops. If the material being stored needs ventilation and containment rather than shade, look at gas cylinder storage containers instead. The wider conversion range is listed under specialized containers.

Span, length, end walls and wind rating all need to be matched to your site before we quote. Talk to our team with your dimensions and the containers you already have on site, and we will confirm what will fit.