Stay Cool with a Shipping Container Pool
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2025Shipping container pools have been making waves. Back in the summer of 2009, Brooklyn was abuzz about a secret pool party. On the banks of Gowanus Canal, Macro-Sea, a developer of creative events and opportunities, connected three "newish" dumpsters (cleaned, lined in plastic, and installed with a filtration system) to create an invitation-only pool. Sounds simple—and super fun. But there were "details to finesse," according to an article in the New York Times.
Table of Contents
- Are Shipping Container Pools Popular?
- Is It Hard To Install a Shipping Container Pool?
- Can Shipping Container Pools Be Moved?
- What Features Can Be Added to a Shipping Container Pool?
- How Much Does a Shipping Container Pool Cost?
- Can Shipping Container Pools Leak?
- Can You Finance A Shipping Container Pool?
- What Chemicals Are Used to Clean Pools?
- Do Shipping Container Pools Require A Permit
- DIY: In-ground and Above-ground Container Pools
- Taking the Plunge
"The coarse edges inside the containers were filed down, and underneath the liners, the bottoms were covered in sand, for soft landings," the article explained." Tightly packed sandbags double as benches along the walls, and pool toys and kid-friendliness provide an intentional counterpoint to the neighborhood grit. With brightly colored lanterns crisscrossing overhead and music piped in from an iPod connected to a boom-box, the feel is of a do-it-yourself urban oasis."
Since then, other dumpster pools have popped up in New York City. And another mode for cooling off in a recycled or repurposed container has been floating into backyards, as well: swimming pools constructed from shipping containers. The Australian company aptly named Shipping Container Pools calls them a "complete all-in-one modular Pool for any Backyard."
"We repurpose A-Grade containers that have been used to ship goods to Australia into brand new Shipping Container Pools because we believe an innovative design is a sustainable one," the website states. And they are, in fact, pretty slick.
Whether embedded in a deck, mounted on pillars beside a deck or wall, extending dramatically out into the landscape, shipping containers provide an easy-to-install and economical alternative to traditional in- or above-ground swimming pools. Some even have transparent walls for the ultimate "Mom watch me!" kid experience.
Are Shipping Container Pools Popular?
Not only are container pools a prime example of upcycling—giving an object that's already been constructed and used a new life—but many homeowners also like the industrial aesthetic of shipping containers. Modpools in Vancouver has installed more than 200 shipping container pools. They're available in 8 x 20 feet or 8 x 40 feet and are designed to take advantage of the material and structural strength, as well as the portability of shipping containers. In other words, just as shipping containers have become popular as a building shell in the world of sustainable home design, particularly when it comes to creating tiny homes, they're now starting to take off as a sustainable swimming pool alternative.
Is It Hard To Install a Shipping Container Pool?
Shipping container pools still require electricity as you'll need to power the pump, jets, filter, and other components. Many shipping container pools arrive completely hooked up, while others may require minimal setup upon arrival. Landscaping preparation is also necessary to ensure that the site can support the weight of the shipping container pool once water is added. A vapor barrier is often suggested if you intend to backfill the area around the pool.
Other questions to answer in deciding where you want to site the pool:
- Do you have a location?
- What are the dimensions of the pool?
- Consider sun and shade during the day.
- Are there privacy concerns?
- What is the distance from existing utility access?
- Is the shipping container pool attaching to a deck, or will it be freestanding?
- How will the container get into your yard?
- Do you have enough access through existing alleys, garages, gardens, and trees?
- Do you want a new shipping container or a used one?
Can Shipping Container Pools Be Moved?
Shipping container pools can easily be relocated (regular in-ground pools are constructed to stay put), and they boast a small footprint. They can also be set up in minutes.
As Modpool's general manager Sammy Diab explained to New Atlas, "What we mean when we say it can be set up in minutes is that it delivers as fully functional, so all the plumbing, heating, and electrical are all built into the pool. So once you lay it on the foundations, you make two service connections, which are just your gas connection and an electrical plug. And once you fill it with water, it is ready to go."
What Features Can Be Added to a Shipping Container Pool?
Some shipping container pools have windows (as mentioned above). A divider can be installed to create a Jacuzzi. They can also come with color-changing LEDs, or a heater for year-round use, both of which can be controlled with a smartphone app.
How Much Does a Shipping Container Pool Cost?
Shipping container pools don't have a lot of parts, unlike traditional pools. They don't require digging, molding, or curing. They can also double at hot a. Prices range from about $16,500 to $39,900, depending on the size.
Can Shipping Container Pools Leak?
Shipping containers are manufactured to be watertight from the outside, not necessarily the inside. Manufacturers often add an additional layer of steel or a waterproof type membrane, such as a pool lining, inside the walls.
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Can You Finance A Shipping Container Pool?
Some manufacturers have agreements with lenders who offer various financing options, on approved credit (AOC).
What Chemicals Are Used to Clean Pools?
You'll want to consult with the manufacturer. Still, a general rule of thumb is to use standard pool chemicals and testing kits. Salt can be used as a replacement for standard pool chemicals. However, continued exposure to salt could harm the metal.
Do Shipping Container Pools Require A Permit
Shipping container pools are treated the same as any other pool and will require a local permitting where necessary.
DIY: In-ground and Above-ground Container Pools
Container Professionals Inc., a company specializing in wholesaling new and used shipping containers across the US, offers several steps for fabricating your own portable, plug, and play swimming pool. But you need to do a little planning: find out if you need to get a permit. Container Professionals Inc. also suggests that you contact your local city permitting office to inquire about regulations regarding depth, fencing, and other swimming pool-related nuisances. On its Poolside Blog, Hayward Industries also recommends contacting a local pool builder who is familiar with soil conditions, utility and water locations, building codes, and potential problems and issues.
Next, container professionals recommend finding a structural engineer as water can be heavy. Even though shipping containers are inherently strong, it's essential to make sure that the container is strengthened to hold the extra weight and is built to last.
Camille LeFevre
Camille LeFevre is an architecture and design writer based in the Twin Cities.
