We Built a Shipping Container Bar With a Rooftop Deck
Shipping containers can be used for much more than storage. With the right modifications, a 20-foot container can become a fully equipped patio bar with a rooftop deck, entertainment space, ventilation, and even off-grid power.
In this build, we transformed a shipping container into a backyard-style patio bar with an upper-level deck, a roll-up door, an industrial-style interior, and a complete electrical setup.
Choosing the Right Container Flooring
The original plan was to install inexpensive wooden patio tiles that clicked together. These tiles were real wood and designed for outdoor use, but the selected container already had a polyurethane-coated bamboo floor.
Although the bamboo floor looked great and was extremely durable, the exposed edge near the doors would have needed additional protection. A one-inch flat bar would have had to be welded across the doorways to prevent the flooring from being damaged by foot traffic.
Instead, the project used the original shipping container plywood flooring. This provided a durable, practical finish without requiring additional welding or edge protection.
Framing
For this build, we decided to use our MSS 2-Way Brackets and MSS 1-Way Brackets to install our strut framing. This allows flexibility if you choose to add shelving or other bolt-on accessories in the future.
Creating the Rooftop Deck
One of the biggest challenges was building a deck above the container without relying on the container roof for structural support.
The roof corrugations are designed primarily to shed water and support a limited amount of snow. They are not intended to carry the additional weight of a deck, patio furniture, or people.
To solve this, Container Modification World's new Wood Truss Brackets were used to transfer the deck load to the container’s upper 60 mm tubing. From there, the load travels through the corner castings and down the corner posts into the ground.
This approach keeps the deck elevated above the container roof and avoids placing unnecessary stress on the roof panels. Depending on the site, the container can be supported on a permanent foundation, screw piles, or properly placed blocking.
The deck measures approximately 12 feet 6 inches wide and nearly 20 feet long, creating enough room for patio furniture, an umbrella, and an upper-level railing. A steel C-channel was also welded to the corner casting to extend the deck beyond the end wall and create space for a future staircase.
Installing the Roll-Up Door
The original plan called for a 12-foot-wide roll-up door, but a locally available 10-by-8-foot door was selected instead.
Because this was a custom, one-off project, the door opening was framed using two-by-three rectangular tubing. The frame was also designed around the strut channel running across the roof.
This required careful planning before installation. If the opening had been framed too high, the roll-up door could have collided with the overhead strut channel. The final opening was framed at approximately 7 feet 8 inches to provide the necessary clearance.
Preventing Condensation Inside the Container
A non-insulated shipping container can become extremely hot, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Appliances such as refrigerators also produce heat while operating.
When warm, humid air inside the container meets a cold exterior surface, condensation can form. This can lead to what is commonly called container rain, where moisture collects along the roof corrugations and drips onto the contents below.
To help manage this risk, a T16 exhaust fan was installed behind the refrigerator. The fan includes a controller and temperature probe with adjustable high and low settings for both temperature and humidity.
The system can monitor the interior climate and activate when conditions become favorable for condensation. This helps reduce the chance of moisture damaging the bar, furniture, and other contents.
A Fully Equipped Off-Grid Container Bar
The finished bar includes multiple refrigerators, a television, lighting, ceiling fans, and electrical outlets. The black fixtures and painted strut channel create an industrial look while providing the functionality needed for a recreational space.
The container is also connected to a 20-foot solar hybrid shipping container. This allows the lights, fans, refrigerators, and entertainment equipment to operate off-grid.
With proper structural support, ventilation, electrical planning, and weather protection, a shipping container can become a practical and unique outdoor living space. Whether used as a patio bar, lake house addition, or backyard entertainment area, this project shows what is possible with the right modifications.