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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Shipping containers as garden rooms

24 replies

BringPizza · 31/12/2020 15:44

DH and I are in the throes of 'designing' new garden sheds and a lorry with a shipping container just drove past. I said to DH, flippantly, that people live in them, we could have one in the garden, and he said it wasn't a bad idea.

I do quite like the pics I've seen online of them kitted out, and I have been in a few for real (in their intended guise) so I know what they're like structurally/externally etc.

We've got space and access for delivery, but does anyone have one already, or use one that's been repurposed? Or is it just a crazy idea, maybe this should be an AIBU

OP posts:

Student133 · 31/12/2020 15:46

Seems pretty cool to me! You could always attach some cladding to it and make it look less 'industrial' and as they come in many sizes, you could get one that doesn't require planning too!

KatherineOfGaunt · 31/12/2020 15:49

A house round the corner has one in the front, right up to the living room window. I feel sorry for the house next door as it blocks their light!

If you could do it in a way that doesn't impact anyone else and it looks really nice from the outside, then you could, i suppose.

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/12/2020 15:51

You could have a pool!

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel · 31/12/2020 15:52

I think it would look really good, what style is your house? Old or modern?

Itscoldouthere · 31/12/2020 15:57

My son has done quite a bit of research on shipping container as 'tiny homes' the issue is if you cut into them too much you compromise the structure and need to add extra steelwork, also if you like the exterior look you have to insulate internally and they are already narrow so the space can become too small.
You also need to be careful about what was previously stored in them.
We currently rent one for storage and they are a good size, but you would need good windows and they wouldn't work without insulation, they are roasting hot in the summer and freezing in the winter.
I really like them.

Namechangebuttercup · 31/12/2020 16:03

Insulation and cladding (wooden) outside with windows carefully cut in would look great. But would it actually be cheaper than just building one from a kit?

My friends just built a beautiful garden office one from a kit. French windows, insulation and a small terrace. All in all inside it's about the size of a shipping container. One advantage of the wooden kit ones is that you can carry it through a house or path to garden. Seems with the containers you'd need a crane to put it in many gardens.

Original poster

BringPizza · 31/12/2020 16:14

Thanks all. Some good points about insulation and narrowing the interior- I was looking at the 20x8' size.

KatherineofGaunt it would be in the back garden and the top would be visible over the neighbour's 6' fence, much as a shed roof would be.

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel it's a barn conversion, I was thinking of painting it in a 'nice' colour, and planting round it, but I like Student133's idea of the cladding.

MrsTerryPratchett my DC would love that, it's very cool!

OP posts:

Ifailed · 31/12/2020 16:15

Wind forward 10 years and you are trying to sell with a rusty container in your back garden, I think it would put a lot of people off.

Original poster

BringPizza · 31/12/2020 16:23

Ifailed, it wouldn't be rusty because DH is utterly obsessive about maintaining EVERYTHING but I do take your point.

It was just a thought, I wondered if people would just tell me it's a dumb idea straight off. The speculative costs are spiralling though, so it may just be a bog standard wooden shed afterall.

OP posts:

Twickerhun · 31/12/2020 16:26

Dig a big hole, turn the container upside down (for strength) and bury it. add in steps and a ventilation pipe (or two) and you got yourself a bunker.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 31/12/2020 16:30

I know a couple who have 3 or 4 joined together to make a house. Looks really good and fab inside. The outside is clad - you can put insulation behind the cladding. You could make a really good, useable garden room out of one.

Itscoldouthere · 31/12/2020 16:32

I think it all depends if you can buy one cheaply, I know when we rented ours in July this year they said there was a shortage due to them not coming out of China, may be back to normal now.
Friends have a great garden office that only cost £3000 finished with electrics fully insulated, sliding doors, timber clad, it as built in situ.
I'd do some costs, but I also expect the prices for home office's have gone up due to demand.

Original poster

BringPizza · 31/12/2020 16:48

@Twickerhun

Dig a big hole, turn the container upside down (for strength) and bury it. add in steps and a ventilation pipe (or two) and you got yourself a bunker.

Oo yes, I could store thousands of toilet rolls down there

OP posts:

Namechangebuttercup · 31/12/2020 17:17

Oh sorry. I misunderstood and thought you were looking to set up a company installing them as sheds!

But still, by the time all the work is done, do you save that much on a kit? And also, even if well painted/maintained, it might not add to the value of your property?

I do like the idea of installing one underground, with a second on top. Secret bunker + garden room! Could make the bunker a movie room or games room for the kids / mouse wouldn't disturb anybody! Or have it as a secret bar! 😃

Takingontheflab · 31/12/2020 18:01

If you're going to clad it, then it'll be far cheaper to just have a fancy garden room built.

Original poster

BringPizza · 31/12/2020 18:06

That's what I've been finding as I investigated my latest hair-brained fl8ght of fancy it was never about saving money but equally I'm not enamoured enough with the idea to want to spend an extra £3k.

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Chasingsquirrels · 31/12/2020 18:18

Our scout group have 2 in the scout field for storage. The roof has gone on one of them.
Wouldn't fancy one in my back garden though.

HotChoc10 · 31/12/2020 19:01

Sounds cool to me! Boxpark in Shoreditch is made out of shipping containers stuck on top of each other. If they work as shops, can't see why they wouldn't work as sheds. If you do it, hope you come back and update us!

ivfbeenbusy · 31/12/2020 19:12

I looked into it a few years ago but thwarted by a massive tree at bottom of my garden which doesn't belong to me and meant we couldn't crane the container over the fence. You can get a second hand container for around £2.5k

SoupDragon · 31/12/2020 19:17

I've seen this done a few times on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. I think all episodes are available on All4

scrivette · 31/12/2020 20:10

I think it's a great idea.

If you bury it you will have to pay an absolute fortune to have the soil removed though.

Toddlerteaplease · 31/12/2020 22:42

The owner of the cattery my cats go to builds hobbit houses. I'd give my right arm for one in my garden. They are amazing!

ABingThing · 01/01/2021 08:19

There's a house near us with one like this: www.portablespace.co.uk/product/large-flat-packed-office

Not cheap but since it's flat pack you may find some second hand?

Student133 · 01/01/2021 17:49

Obviously maintenance is an issue, but having worked with them in logistics, they are incredibly resilient, and as your husband knows how to maintain them, they aren't gonna trust quickly. As someone pointed out, they are incredibly strong and are often used as diy bunkers, plus I doubt you'll be giving them more hammer than spending weeks being battered by salt water!

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