How can I make a Fedex container look like a barn?

Question

My husband got a really good deal on a 8 x 24 FedEx storage container. It is not far off the back of the house. It's between a hammock on one side and tree and large swingset on the other. It's white and has the roll up door on the end and logos all around. I've heard a heat gun will remove the logos but then what? We are going to come off the back of it with a small shelter and pavers. My house is clay (dark tan) with black shingles and is new. If we paint it, what color? We had pondered barn red. I had even had the idea to cover in pallet boards (cleaned and stained) but just not sure. I don't want to put more holes in the container. I like mixing new, old and modern but not sure. Just need some ideas and fresh perspective.

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

check into using fence pickets usually at Home Depot (which are kept inside) and Lowe's (which are outside in the garden center). I use fence pickets to build all kinds of things because they are around $1.59 and 6' long and about 5 1/2' wide and they look like barnboards. if you use regular pine and treat them with a good stain and sealer you can get many years out of non treated but they will eventually rot but you have a few years. then if you look at their trusses for sheds to see how they are but if you have a compound/miter saw you can build your own trusses for the roof and space them about and look at corrugated tin roofing which is what many old farmers used in the midwest because they are cheap and last a long time. Plus you can paint them! 
To attach the wood I would attach 2x4s to the FedEx trailer along where the metal strips are securing them with screws so you have something to secure the 'siding' too. plus the attaching the roof. Hope this idea helps. good luck

Crystal Spratt · Answer

It doesn't have to look like a barn, but less like a Fedex container. I was wondering about edging or border, should I? I don't care if it looks modern, I like the mixture of new and old.

Crystal Spratt · Answer

Thanks for good ideas. I have to do some brainstorming and pricing and see what we can do.

Robin Hauser T · Answer

Looking forward to seeing the 'after' pics!!  Good luck!

Amy Furlong · Answer

I would start by painting it barn red.  use fence pickets to make the end doors like like barn doors.

Jan C · Answer

Why not just paint it barn red, and tape it off and put on the white 'X' doors with white paint and make it look like a barn. You wouldn't be able to tell it was metal and you'd save the price of the wood and changing it out when it rots.

Bre Casey · Answer

How did he get it??? Would love to have storage about that size...THANKS!!!

La Mac · Answer

Pallets is what comes to my mind. 😉

Melinda smith · Answer

I would love to know how he got it also!! I can see quite the chicken coop coming our of this structure!!

Bonnie T · Answer

I agree that painting it red with barn features is an excellent idea... look online at pix of barns until you see one you like

Michele Arnold · Answer

We did the same to an old railroad car that the doors swung outward on the end but, it was already red. We also cut a small door in the back to have an extra entry. Good luck! There are so many possibilities! Can't wait to see the after photos.

Gretchen Hintz · Answer

do some faux painting as in barn doors and windows

Donna Arsenault · Answer

http://m.hometalk.com/#!/post/555294/media?id=107546

Elaine S · Answer

You could paint it barn red and paint the door to look like double barn doors, as Amy and Jan suggested (above). You could also paint 'windows' with 'shutters' and put up window boxes below the windows. Mount them on legs painted red so you won't have to put any holes in the container. Then add flower beds all around to tie the building in and make it part of the yard. This would give you a nice looking barn for a few years for not too much money, and you could always add the wood on the outside later if you wanted to.
Alternately, you could paint it to match your house and still pait the doors 'barn style' in the colors of the trim on your house.
If you did put windows in it it would make it more useable with some natural light and ventilation, unless you intend to just use it for storage.

Sue Salley · Answer

I have been wanting one of those to use as a workshop for painting furniture. I would put a tin roof on it no matter what else you do. I can see it painted like Jan suggested but paint the doors, no pickets or I don't think the door would open right. You could paint windows with horses or cows looking out or chickens sitting in them.
 Or paint like old wood and hang vintage metal buckets,hubcaps,tools,etc. Maybe too tacky for your neighborhood but what I had in mind if I ever get one. But I live off the road so I can do what ever I want.
Please post your results. I am really interested to see what you do.

Terri Brodfuehrer · Answer

google has a LOT of storage container re-do's.. here's one that they cut openings and added windows.. http://www.homedit.com/22-most-beautiful-houses-made-from-shipping-containers/

Terri Brodfuehrer · Answer

here's where they cut out windows and made it into a hay barn. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/13435001/list/Reinvent-It--A-Shipping-Container-Goes-a-Little-Bit-Country

Heather Koepke · Answer

How about faux painting either wood planks, or red bricks or stone blocks or combo of a stone foundation with wood or brick on top (using a grout sponge) and make a roof with a cupola or weather vane?

MaryElizabeth Q · Answer

Shari · Answer

If you are going for the barn look, I think a different roof line is in order. The current flat roof doesn't say 'barn' to me. Maybe a *fake* roof is where you could use the pallet wood.

Vicki C · Answer

Check out 'container box' structure sites for hundreds of ideas. Here's just one of many: http://tinyhouseswoon.com/container-box-home/

Maria C · Answer

A year ago here in Vegas open a container park, all of it is built out of ship containers, it's awesome.

Jennifer Kyzer · Answer

add 'lean-to' sheds on either side and paint!

Christina · Answer

Where do you get these from?

Catherine Blankley · Answer

I would try covering it in half bricks I think that would look nice

P.j. C · Answer

To create the look of a barn, I'd consider adding narrow strips of wood with LocTite Power Grab to resemble reverse board & batten siding, then paint the exterior. It would probably be a good idea to install screws in at the top & bottom of each board though, to make sure they don't pop off over time, then seal the interior holes with latex caulk. Stock lumber (1' x 4') could also be applied to the door to create the look of crossbuck barn doors.

Tony Phillips · Answer

Paint it Tan with white trim, like your house and black Roof.

Deborah Owen David · Answer

Attach housing siding n paint it.

Diane Mastermaker · Answer

Try googling 'container homes' then hit 'images.'  You will not believe the imagination some people have turning these containers into homes and sheds!

Crystal Spratt · Answer

I am loving the ideas! Since we just got the house and redid one bedroom for our teenage daughter and still need to do other work with landscaping and some tearing down of a rotting lean to, repairing another barn, we have to be frugal. We are thinking of painting it, maybe barn red and coming off part of it with a tin shelter and maybe a little patio type thing. We are still debating. The one end without the door, we may be able to do a wood look with pickets or something. (a faux door) With limited budget and husband working so much, I hope it won't take too long. We are rural but have neighbors nearby. I know they think it's an eyesore and so do I, but I hope we can do a good job either way. I'll post pictures once we are done.

How can I make a Fedex container look like a barn?

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How can I make a Fedex container look like a barn?

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