A container cover is a metal roofing system mounted between two shipping containers, repurposing space you already have into secure, functional storage or working space — durable, cost-effective, and designed to be relocated if your job site changes.
How Container Covers Are Sized
Two design factors define a container cover: total building footprint and container placement. Toro’s container roofing kits are available in widths from 20′, 25′, 30′, 35′, 40′, 45′, 50′, 55′, up to 60′, in any length — sized to match the actual gap between your containers and your project’s height requirements. For most projects, 20′ is the smallest practical width, and staying at 60′ or under generally delivers the best value; larger widths are still achievable with custom engineering when a project genuinely needs one.
Stacking for Extra Height and Storage
There’s no limit on how many containers can be stacked before the cover goes on, which lets you build a taller structure while keeping costs reasonable — the stacked containers themselves become extra enclosed storage, and the resulting straight-walled height often makes for a more spacious covered area than a single-container-height setup.
Common Uses
- Storage: Secure, weatherproof space for equipment, materials, or inventory.
- Workshops: A covered work area between containers, sheltered from the elements.
- On-Site Heavy Equipment Coverage: Protects machinery on construction or industrial sites without a permanent structure.
- Offices: A functional, enclosable workspace built from containers already on-site.
Customization Options
- Open-ended or fully enclosed: Choose based on how much weather protection your use case actually needs.
- Endwalls: Partial or full enclosure to block prevailing wind and rain.
- Color and trim: Options beyond standard galvanized steel.
Inside-Mount vs. Outside-Mount: Which Edge?
A container cover can attach to either the outer or inner edges of the supporting containers. Outside mounts require a larger roof that fully encloses the building’s footprint, clearing water off the roof and letting you use the container tops for additional dry storage. Inside mounts use a narrower roof, which needs less material and increases structural strength — typically the more economical choice depending on your exact configuration.
Foundation and Site Leveling
Using shipping containers as your structural base saves real time and cost compared to a conventional foundation, but the ground still needs to be level for the best result. On unlevel ground, a structure typically leans to one side, which can throw off panel alignment on the sides, ends, and roof — and the steel mounting plates that attach the cover to your containers also perform best on a level surface. Clearing debris, tree roots, and rocks from the site beforehand, and leaving enough room for equipment and workers to move around during assembly, are both worth planning for ahead of delivery.
Why Steel Over Alternative Roofing Materials
Traditional roofing materials need constant maintenance and eventual replacement; fabric covers tear easily and don’t hold up to real weather. A steel container cover is engineered for your specific location’s snow, wind, and seismic requirements, coated with Galvalume Plus® for corrosion resistance, and designed to need very little maintenance for years after it’s up.
Permits, Codes & Engineering
Container covers are engineered against the ASCE 7 standard from the American Society of Civil Engineers, referenced by the International Code Council‘s International Building Code, or the National Building Code of Canada. Toro’s in-house engineering team calculates the structural reactions for your specific container configuration and site before the cover ships — you or your local contractor complete the foundation leveling and assembly.
Related Building Types
M-Model Container Covers | R Model Arch Container Covers | Container Trusses Covered Parking
Find Your Container Cover Size
Toro Steel Buildings can help you size and configure the right container cover for your project. Request a free quote to get started.