If you need a big covered space on a farm, mine site or depot, a container dome shelter is often the quickest and cheapest way to get it. Here’s how a dome compares to a traditional steel shed.
How a container dome shelter works
You place two shipping containers side by side with a gap between them. The dome sits on top of the containers and spans the gap. The containers act as the walls and the foundations – and give you two lockable storage rooms as a bonus.
Cost comparison
A 12m x 12m dome shelter costs $8,100. Add two used 40ft containers at $3,280 each and you’ve got a 12m wide covered bay plus two secure containers for under $15,000 before freight. A steel shed of a similar size, with a slab, engineering and construction, usually costs a good deal more.
Build time
Smaller twist-lock domes go up in a day. Larger domes take a few days with lifting gear. A steel shed can take weeks to months once you factor in the slab, approvals and builders.
Flexibility
Domes can be taken down and moved. That suits leased land, mine sites and anyone who might relocate. A steel shed stays where it is.
Light and temperature
The PVC fabric lets diffused light through, so you often don’t need lights during the day. It also avoids the oven effect of an uninsulated tin roof.
Where a steel shed still wins
- Fully enclosed, secure buildings
- Permanent structures where you want a concrete floor
- Very high wind or cyclone areas needing specific engineering
Choosing your dome
- 20ft container domes – 6m long, twist-lock, no welding
- 40ft container domes – 12m long, widths from 8m to 21m
- Large dome shelters – 18m and 24m long
- Backwalls to close one end
Container dome shelter: what to plan
Before you order a container dome shelter, decide on the orientation (closed end into the weather), the gap between containers and how you’ll access the containers’ doors. Most people face the container doors into the covered area so they’re protected from rain.
Maintenance
Check fabric tension and fixings after big storms, and keep the fabric clear of sharp objects. A well-installed dome needs very little ongoing work.
A typical container dome shelter setup
A popular farm setup is two used 40ft containers placed 12m apart with a 12m x 12m dome on top and a backwall on the windward end. That gives you a 12m x 12m covered bay for a tractor, header or hay, plus two 40ft containers for tools, chemicals and spare parts. The whole package costs a fraction of an equivalent steel shed, and it can be up in a few days.
For bigger operations, larger double truss domes span up to 21m and run 18m or 24m long when you line up more containers.
Quick answers
How long does a container dome shelter last?
Quality PVC covers typically last many years. Life depends on UV exposure and how well the fabric is kept tensioned.
Can I put a container dome shelter on one container?
Yes, with a post kit on the other side.
Do I need welding?
Twist-lock domes need no welding. Larger domes use base plates that are welded or bolted.
Check with your council about approvals for permanent structures. Email sales@mrfequipments.com.au if you’d like help planning your layout. To understand the engineering behind fabric structures, see tensile structures.