If you live in a big city anywhere in the world, you’ve probably seen shipping container architectural and design applications. They’ve been used to build designer homes in the Arizona desert, stacked to create condominiums in downtown Vancouver BC, and repurposed for nearly every construction purpose you can think of.
Lately, that includes swimming pools. A shipping container pool, or container pool, as it’s also known, is a trendy alternative to the swimming pools, we all grew up with. You might even know someone who has had a shipping container pool installed, and think it’s a cool concept.
Let’s take a closer look at shipping container pools, how they work, why they work, and what your above ground container pool alternatives are.
What Is a Shipping Container Pool?
The first thing we need to cover when we’re talking about container pools is what shipping container pools actually are. The hint is in the name.
Shipping container pools are constructed with the primary structure made from shipping containers. These are usually shipping containers that have reached the end of their useful life in the sea freight industry and have been decommissioned but are still structurally sound and have many years of life left in them.
Some shipping container pools look exactly like a shipping container which is perfect for people who love the industrial look. But others have been painted clad and altered to change the way they look.
This means that shipping container pools can actually be an aesthetic on their own, or they can be used to create a swimming pool in another design style.
Even though the structure of the pool is made out of a shipping container, these above ground container pools still require different materials for cladding, lining, and other uses, and they still have the typical equipment you would expect to see in any other swimming pool.
You can also build things like decks, slides, diving boards and other poolside must haves around a shipping container pool, so even if you can’t change the shape, you can create a unique and interesting pool experience.
The Benefits of Shipping Container Pools
the next thing we need to discuss when we’re talking about container pools is the specific benefits of shipping container pools. There are several.
Ready Made
The first big benefit of a shipping container pool over a traditional swimming pool is that they already made. You may still need to make some alterations to a shipping container to turn it into your dream pool, but the basic structure already exists.
This means it’s much quicker to construct a shipping container pool then it is to build a traditional inground swimming pool.
Discover Little Pools - the ready made fiberglass pool and popular alterantive to shipping container pools
Engineered to Last
another big benefit of shipping container pools is that the containers themselves have been engineered to withstand enormous forces during the freight process, and they are treated and coated to withstand the corrosive elements of the ocean.
This makes shipping containers and container pools naturally strong, durable, and able to stand up to forces of water from inside and dirt from outside.
Standard Sizes
if you want a completely designer above ground pool, shipping container pools might not be the right choice for you simply because they come in standard sizes.
Because shipping containers need to be packed tightly on the deck of freight ships, they generally come in two sizes 20 foot and 40 foot. The height and width of shipping containers is also standard. So unless you modify the shipping container itself (e.g. to make a smaller plunge pool), you will be restricted to those sizes.
Having size restrictions and a simple rectangle might not sound like your dream pool, but planning for one is very simple because you always know exactly what the dimensions will be. This even means that you can design surrounding features before your shipping container is even purchased because you know exactly what the footprint will be.
The downside to this is that shipping containers are also one depth all the way through. So if you need a shallow end for little kids, they might not be the ideal solution for your family.
Readily Available
Another reason why container pools are so popular these days is that there are readily available.
As long as we ship goods on the ocean new shipping containers will be constructed, an old ones will be retired from service. That means there’s always a steady stream of shipping containers available for re purposing.
If you don’t like to wait for manufacturing or construction, that does make a shipping container and near-perfect pool choice. There are also many different brokers and resellers offering shipping containers, so competition is relatively stiff, which means prices tend to stay reasonable.
Lower Cost
Used shipping containers all readily available, and that does mean that they are also affordable.
While the cost of the shipping container won’t be the only factor in the price of your shipping container pool, it is one of the bigger items you will need to pay for.
Very low-cost or DIY shipping container pools can cost under $10,000. But the average professional shipping container pool will cost somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 dollars, depending on the options for any extras you choose.
As with anything, remember that you get what you pay for so if the offer for a shipping container pool seems too good to be true, it very well might be.
Pools made of shipping containers are popular in the U.S.
Who Does Shipping Container Pools?
There are a broad range of companies that might offer to install an above ground container pool for you. Some of them might have extensive swimming pool experience, which usually means you’ll get a high-quality result, but others are jumping on the trendy bandwagon, and that usually means questionable finished products.
If you are considering having a shipping container pool constructed, make sure you look for a reputable pool company that has experience in this type of above ground container pool and who can show you photographs and examples of their work.
Can Shipping Containers Only Be Installed Above Ground?
Most of the container pools you’ve seen have probably been above ground container pools. These usually look exactly like what they are: a shipping container that you’ve placed in your yard and filled with water. It’s very hard to make a shipping container look like anything but a shipping container.
However above ground container pools are not your only option.
With the right design and engineering, shipping containers can be installed as partially above ground or even in-ground pools, and this does expand your design options somewhat.
What Are the Alternatives to Shipping Container Pools?
If you love the idea of shipping container pools because they are relatively cost-effective and relatively quick to construct, but you don’t love the look of a shipping container, there are other options available to you.
Modern prefabricated swimming pools can be made in a variety of materials, in a vast array of shapes and sizes, and with add-ons and features that can truly make it your own.
Fiberglass Pools
There are a huge variety of fiberglass premanufactured pools available that you could choose from instead of a shipping container pool. Because they’re relatively lightweight, they are a cost-effective swimming pool option and do compare favorably with the pricing of shipping container pools.
They might not be as strong as a shipping container, although modern fiberglass pools are very robust and made to last a very long time, but they have the advantage that there are many different designs, shapes, and sizes available. So if you want something other than a rectangle, fiberglass might be the right choice for an above ground container pool.
Know how much a Little Pool - the modern fiberglass above ground pool would cost delivered to your yard
Precast Concrete Pools
Another premanufactured pool option that you could consider instead of shipping container pools is precast concrete pools. As the name suggests, these concrete pools are manufactured in a factory molded in formwork around a central steel structure. This makes them incredibly strong but also allows for many different shapes, sizes and designs.
Precast concrete pools can also be installed in ground partially in ground or above ground, similar to what can be done with shipping container pools.
They do cost a little more, mainly because they are much heavier, which makes freight and installation costs higher. However, a precast concrete pool will have a lifespan measured in decades so it’s worth the investment.
Metal Pools
The final broad category of alternatives to a shipping container pool that we want to discuss are other types of metal pools. These could be galvanized steel, stainless steel, or aluminum depending on your preference. They are usually coated or lined with PVC, resin, fiberglass or a vinyl liner.
Metal pools, when protected properly against the elements, are very strong and durable, but they are also lighter than precast concrete pools. That means they’re a little bit easier to install, and you might pay less for installation costs.
Built In Pools
The last option we want to discuss as an alternative to shipping container pools also called built in pools. These are pools where a hole is excavated on your site, rebar is placed, and the pool is cast or formed on site.
This type of pool is usually more expensive than a premanufactured pool or a shipping container pool. However your options for design shape and size are endless and limited only by your sight and your budget. So if time and money is not a factor in the decision this is a good way to get your dream pool.
Choosing the Right Pool
Now that you know a bit more about container pools and any alternatives that are available, there are a few things you can bear in mind when choosing the right pool for your home. These include:
- Cost – but not only the cost to install the pool, but you also need to make allowance for long-term pool maintenance
- Time – the time you have before you want to install your pool might also affect the type of pool that you choose – typically in-ground pools that are built on-site take longer as do custom-made premanufactured pools, so a stock design or shipping container pool might be a faster option
- Maintenance – different types of pools, whether they are built-in, above ground, or something else all have different maintenance requirements – make sure you know what the time and cost commitment for the type of pool you are considering will be
- Design – design and esthetics is another big factor in Pool selection for most people – options range from the limited design style you get with a shipping container pool, to the range of prefabricated pools available to a completely custom built-in pool – and the price tag and time will depend on what you choose
It’s a good idea to make a list of your pool priorities while you are weighing your options. A pool is a big investment whether you choose an above ground container pool a built-in pool or something else. This is not something you want to rush into because it’s probably something you’re going to be using and enjoying for 10 or 20 years or longer.
Decide which elements we’ve mentioned above are the most important to you and build your pool search around that.
Choosing the Right Pool Company
Once you have some idea of what your dream pool will look like, whether that’s a shipping container pool or something else, the next step is to choose the right pool company.
If you have family and friends who have recently installed a container pool, an above ground pool, or some other kind of swimming pool in Low Country, South Carolina, that’s a great place to start your search.
They should be able to tell you what they experience with the company they used was, and give you referrals if they received great service. The Internet is another good place to look for companies that supply and install container pools, premanufactured pools, and swimming pool options. Be sure to read online reviews before you start calling, and ask every company you do contact not only for a quote but also for references from clients they’ve served before.
Unfortunately, when something becomes trendy, like container pools, many companies jump on the bandwagon without having the necessary experience and skills to get the job done right. So if you’re choosing A newer type of pool, like a shipping container pool, you want to make sure that the company, you’re working with has done several of these projects in the past and what their results were.
My Pool Works has been serving clients in the Low Country area of South Carolina for many years. We’ve seen swimming pool trends come and go, and we’ve built and installed dream pools for dozens of families.
We’re servicing all the counties and townships in Low Country SC – we are your Beaufort pool builder, local Charleston swimming pool builder, Colleton pool builder, Dorchester pool company etc.
We’re always happy to help with information and advice about specific pool types, or to help you find the perfect pool solution for your family.
So whether you already know you want a shipping container pool, you’re not sure what kind of pool you want or you’re just starting to investigate options, contact our team. We’re always happy to help!
