ShelterPro
Installation
Our Process
ShelterPro container shelter installation can be done two ways. Follow our supplied step-by-step instructions and install the shelter yourself, or book one of our professional teams operating across New Zealand to handle it for you.
What You'll Need
Before starting your container shelter installation, get these sorted:
- Equipment: a scissor lift for working at height, a welder for base plate attachment, and standard hand tools for bolting and tensioning
- Crew: at least two people for most steps, with extra hands needed when pulling the cover over the frame (Step 8)
- Conditions: calm, dry weather for cover installation. Wind makes the cover difficult to control and increases the risk of damage during fitting
- Reference materials: your container layout guide and base plate layout guide, both supplied with your shelter kit. Keep these on hand throughout, not just for Steps 2 and 4
Having this ready before your containers arrive keeps the whole installation moving without delays.
Installation Process For Your Container Shelter
Container Placement
- Select the location for your shelter setup.
- Use suitable equipment to lift and place the containers into position based on the supplied container layout guide to suit your shelter.
- Ensure the containers are placed squarely, on firm, level ground and spaced correctly according to the shelter’s dimensions.
We can assist with container purchase and supply New Zealand-wide.
Position and weld base plates
- Take time to measure accurately before welding the base plates into position.
- Weld the base plates to the top of each container at the marked locations, ensuring they are secure and aligned as per the supplied base plate layout guide.
Remember to follow the base plate layout guide and take care to measure accurately before welding.
Setting up the arches
- Unpack the portals (arches) from the shipping crate and assemble them on the ground following the supplied instructions.
- After assembling and bolting the arches together, cover all the swaged joints with the provided anti-friction cloth tape.
- Attach the arches to the base plates and spigots using the supplied nuts and bolts.
Install purlins
- Install the purlins perpendicular to the arches at the designated intervals.
- Position and secure all connection purlins between the arches using the pre-drilled holes and supplied nuts and bolts. Use a scissor lift or similar equipment for this task.
V-bracing note: On models 8m and above, V-bracing is fitted after the purlins go in. It attaches with the supplied nuts, bolts, and clamps, using the first and last shelter bays only.
Cover Installation
- Once the frame is complete and all swaged joins and hard edges are friction taped, position the back wall. This can be done now or after installing the main overhead cover.
- Prepare the overhead cover by unrolling it and laying it out along the full length atop one container.
- Insert one full-length tensioning bar into the tensioning bar pocket of the cover, secure ropes to the tensioning bar, and throw these over the frame to the other side of the shelter.
- Pull the cover over the frame from the far side, ensuring it is centred, evenly distributed, and overlaps the edges of the shelter structure.
Tensioning the cover
- Insert the second tensioning bar. Once the cover is in position, make cutouts for the ratchet straps in the tensioning bar pocket, then place the straps around the tensioning bar and into the ratchets.
- Begin tensioning the cover by tightening the ratchets on the base plates, working symmetrically along both sides.
- Adjust the tension to eliminate slack and wrinkles, ensuring a smooth, taut cover.
- Distribute the tension evenly to avoid stressing specific areas.
- Securely and tightly lace the front and aft edges of the shelter around the first and last arch.
Container Shelter common usage
Create cost effective, relocatable, secure space to protect your assets. Hard wearing and easily adaptable to suit all industries and applications.
Aggregate & Material
Easy to install, high clearance covered storage for aggregate and material yards & quarries.
Construction
Secure, relocatable storage for construction, forestry and work site tools & equipment.
Farm Supplies
Convenient, dry and secure storage for farm equipment, hay and live stock feed.
Trades & Services
Ideal for creating a covered and secure workshop without building a permanent structure.
Additional Storage
Add extra storage space to your shed or garage with easy to install and portable secure shelters.
Vehicle Coverage
Protect your vehicles from the elements with undercover storage for boats, campervans, cars and other vehicles.
Contracting
Protect your assets by creating secure dry space for staff and gear.
Warehousing
Easily extendable secure warehousing space for product and inventory.
Recent Installations.
ShelterPro Container Shelters offer exceptional versatility, with a wide range of applications from farming and construction to residential storage and workshops, proving they can be used for virtually anything you can imagine. Explore a few of our most popular uses below.
SP640 – Container Shelter Tauranga
SP640 – Container Shelter Fielding
SP1040 – Container Shelter Hamilton
SP620 – Container Shelter, Levin
SP840 – Container Shelter Tauranga
SP820 – Container Shelter Wellington
Frequently asked questions
Do I need welding experience for this installation?
Welding is required for Step 4, attaching the base plates to the containers. If you don’t have welding equipment or experience, this is a common point where customers bring in a contractor for just that step, then continue the rest of the installation themselves.
Can I add side walls after the shelter is already installed?
Yes. Side wall and screening options attach to the existing frame, so they can be fitted during the initial build or added later.
How do I look after the cover once it's installed?
Check tension periodically, as covers can loosen slightly after the first few weeks as the fabric settles. Clear any pooling water after heavy rain rather than letting it sit, and keep an eye on the friction tape over swaged joints, replacing it if it wears through.
What foundations are required?
All you need to do is make sure your site is level and compacted. To keep the containers in place, you can use ballast in the shipping containers, concrete footings to anchor them, or a combination of the two. It’s up to you.
Can a container shelter be relocated once it's installed?
The frame itself unbolts, so arches, purlins, and the cover can be taken down and moved. The base plates are welded to the containers, so relocating to different containers would mean re-welding rather than just unbolting. Check with ShelterPro first, since work outside the original installation instructions may affect your warranty.
What if I start the self-install and want to switch to a professional team partway through?
Our teams operating across New Zealand can pick up from wherever you’re at, whether that’s finishing the frame, fitting the cover, or handling a specific step like the base plate welding. Get in touch, and we’ll work out where you’re up to.
What warranty do I get with my container shelter?
ShelterPro offers a 10-year structural warranty, covering the container shelter frame and main shelter cover. Walls and ropes aren’t included. Shelters need to be installed as per the supplied installation instructions for the warranty to apply. See our warranty page for full details.