Buy Shipping Containers Perfect for Your Industry

There is no such thing as an ‘ideal’ shipping container for all applications. The most suitable choice depends on the application and the industry. 

Office Containers

Do you wish to turn a shipping container into a semi-portable field office? Then you can use either new or used containers that can be modified based on your design. Work with a company that can add doors, windows, heating, electrics, and even a kitchen and toilet to the container. They can help you create mobile offices, home extensions, garden sheds, etc.

Refrigerated Containers

If you are in the food distribution or restaurant industry, then you may need cold storage and refrigerated containers. Your choices include walk-in coolers, refrigerated containers, and refrigerated trailers.    Coolers can maintain temperatures from 0°F to about 40°F, while refrigerated versions can go below 0°F and reach up to 75°F. These food-grade containers provide effective cold storage solutions for most kinds of perishable food items.

ISO Containers

An ISO seal tells you that a container is shipping- and transport-worthy. It is resilient and designed for repeated use, and is constructed following ISO-set dimensions and criteria. These standardised intermodal containers ensure the safety and security of its contents.  They come is a range of sizes. If you are engaged in importing and exporting as well as distribution, you need to use ISO containers.

Engineering, Construction, and Manufacturing

Do you need storage solutions? You will find used shipping containers very useful. These durable and secure containers can be used as stock / tool / machinery storage, workshops, filed offices, or even mess rooms. They are also ideal for storing chemicals and paints.

Agriculture and Farming

Shipping containers can be sued used as tack rooms, semi-mobile farm offices, and even as storage for animal feeds, grain, and general equipment and machinery. They require minimal set up and can provide wind and water-tight properties that makes them ideal for storage.

40ft Container: Provides Enough Space for Large Storage Needs

Along with asking about the many benefits of using shipping containers for storage, most buyers also ask about how big a container they need for their requirements. The shirt answer is this: a 20ft container is enough for small moves, and a 40ft container is ideal for large storage needs. 

A 20ft container can easily fit two compact city cars. If you only need to store everyday items like furniture, bikes, and lawnmowers, then this type of container may be sufficient. It can hold the contents of a typical 3-bedroom home. It is 20ft in length. The width is 8ft, and the height is also 8ft (about as tall as a football goal). Being inside a 20ft container is like being in a single garage. That should give you an idea of how much you can fit in this small freight container. 

For larger storage needs, a 40ft container may be more practical. It provides double the amount of storage space that a 20ft container can provide. It is twice as long and also higher, being 8 ft 6 inches high. To imagine how much you can put into a 40ft container, visualize what you can place in a double length garage. If you need to store more items, then this is the type of container for you. Note that you will also need considerable outdoor floor space—at least 9ft x 45ft—to house your 40ft container. If you need something taller, you can go for a 40ft high-cube container, which is 9ft 6inches tall. 

Aside from being useful for larger storage needs, 40ft freight containers are also great for temporary or even permanent accommodation requirements. They are big enough to function as small offices or even residential studios, as they can comfortably fit a kitchenette, a toilet, a big bed, and a sofa, with room left to move around.

Determining the Perfect Material for Shipping Container

Shipping containers are traditionally made out of steel, but other materials are also used to produce durable storage containers that are designed to withstand cargo transport. Some common materials used in manufacturing shipping containers include aluminium, fibreglass, and even plywood, all of which can be designed for frequent handling between various transport modes, from ships to trains, trucks, and trailers.

Contemporary shipping containers are manufactured and held to very high standards. They use quality materials like Corten Steel, which are very resistant to weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and damages caused by outside elements. High-grade paint is also used to help prevent corrosion and similar types of damages.

Steel is considered the best material for shipping containers due to its durability, relative lightweight-ness, and ability to withstand outside forces. Steel is also less expensive to produce than other materials, which is why steel shipping containers are increasingly being used as building materials for modular, pre-fabricated constructions, ranging from homes to office buildings, and the like.

Whether it is intended for shipping, storage, or construction, steel cargo containers are the perfect solution for many applications, as steel is a very versatile, durable, and lasting material. If you are looking for steel shipping containers for self-storage, volumetric shipping needs, business, or construction, choose companies that can provide you with a wide range of container choices to satisfy your requirements. Go for trusted manufacturers and distributors of used and brand new shipping and cargo units that are excellent for use in different kinds of storage, cargo, or architectural applications. The best companies will even allow you to rent containers for short-term and infrequent use, so you won't have to invest big money on huge shipping containers that you will only use once or twice in its lifetime.

Are Steel Storage Containers Efficient For Storage?

Steel containers are efficient for storage because of their high-quality locks as well as their watertight and airtight properties that keep items protected from the elements. Some storage containers even have special features such as ventilation systems and ramps.

Most of the high-quality shipping containers used for transporting and storing goods must follow the ISO and CSC standards, making them versatile for a wide range of applications and usage. Steel storage containers are efficient for storage as long as you use the right size that matches the items and your storage needs. There are storage container providers that sell and lease containers of different sizes. A 10-foot shipping container is great for personal storage; the volume of items it can hold is equivalent to what you can put in a studio apartment. There are also 20 feet containers that are as big as a one-car garage for bigger storage needs. A 40-foot shipping container is as big as a two-car garage, making it perfect for storing larger equipment, construction materials, sports equipment, and machinery.

Steel storage containers that are 30 feet and 45-feet long provide more space that you might need for long-term, higher-volume storage, but they tend to take up more room in your construction site or property, making them more appropriate for larger industrial areas. Before choosing a steel storage container of a specific size, be sure to measure the space where you will be placing it. Experts recommend leaving five feet of extra space on every side. Selecting the right size allows you to save money and minimise storage hassles.

It’s easy to determine if the shipping container is suitable for storing the items you want to put in it. There are companies that indicate storage-grade containers to differentiate them from CSC-plated containers, which are commonly used for international shipping. You also need to consider how long you are planning to keep the steel container. From there, you can decide whether to rent or buy your own steel storage container.

Can Refrigerated Containers Be Used For Transport?

Refrigerated containers are intermodal or shipping containers used in international or long haul freight transport. They have their own cooling systems, making them suitable for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. Apart from storage, they can be used for transport, too. There are solutions that ensure constant cooling within the container to keep the contents fresh and prevent them from spoiling.

Also known as 'reefers', refrigerated containers usually have an integral refrigeration unit, but they need external power to run. Electrical power points are installed in the container ship, the quay, or a land-based site.  During road transport, a diesel-powered generator may also be used.  Most refrigerated containers rely on an integral refrigeration unit to control the temperature within, arranged in a manner that the container's external dimensions meet the ISO standards. However, an integral refrigeration unit may take up space, causing a loss of internal payload and volume. Keep that in mind when choosing the size of the container that has an integral refrigeration unit.

There are refrigerated containers that use a water cooling system especially when they are stored below deck, where ventilation is limited. Generated heat can be removed, but water cooling systems tend to be expensive. As a solution, new-generation vessels utilise ventilation to eliminate heat from the cargo holds.

The most common sizes of refrigerated containers are 20 feet and 40 feet long, and eight feet high. If you are looking for refrigerated containers to transport temperature-sensitive products, you need to make sure that it is CSC-plated. CSC-plated shipping containers are suitable for international shipping. They need to be certified as water and wind-tight, too. There are companies providing refrigerated shipping containers for hire and for sale, and they are available in different sizes that match your needs, budget, and the size of your cargo.

A Few Points That Affect Container Hire Prices

Renting containers is the perfect solution for shipping and storage needs, especially when buying containers is not an option. Metal containers range in size from 10 feet to 45 feet, so you can choose which one is best for your needs. Shipping containers can be sturdy storage vessels because of their wind, water, and weather-tight properties, all of which make them suitable for protecting goods. Some companies provide short and long-term storage services with these reliable metal containers.

The price of the container for hire will depend on a few important factors, the most important of which is the size. The smallest is 10 feet long, but you can also find longer ones like 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, and 45 feet. Ten and 20-foot containers are cheaper and ideal for most types of storage like office equipment, home equipment / furniture, and sporting goods.

The condition of the container is another factor. New containers tend to be pricier, while used ones are of course cheaper. If you want to minimise time spent for inspection and quality assurance, go for a new container. If budget is an issue, hire a container offered by a reputable provider.

Delivery can affect the price of the container for hire, too. A good container provider must be able to deliver the container to your location of choice and put it in place with an HIAB vehicle.

The price of containers can likewise be affected by how or where they are opened. Standard containers can be opened from one side and are usually more affordable than containers that can be opened from the top.

Finally, the type of security and padlocks used can affect the pricing of the container that you will hire. There’s usually no need to go overboard; you probably don’t need fancy security systems like CCTVs and motion detectors as long as the container is equipped with high-end padlocks like a straight shackle CISA 28550 'Lim' series five-pin padlock.

20 Foot Container: A Perfect Solution for Small Storage

A 20-foot unit is considered standard because it can still be transferred easily between various modes of transportation, from trucks to trains and ships. A 20-foot container is comparable to a one-car garage, making it suitable for small storage solutions.

When used for storage, the 20-foot container must be graded for such a purpose. It must be made of steel with water and wind-tight properties to protect the goods, even when the container is left outside or in an open space. The durability and versatility of this type of container makes it useful for various sectors and industries, making it a good-value storage solution.

A 20-foot storage container can be bought either used or new. Your choice may depend on your budget. Used containers are often cheaper, but be sure that they are in good condition with no holes or rotting metal. Buy or hire a new or used 20-foot container from reputable companies. If you have the budget, go for a new shipping container to make the selection process easier. New containers have the guarantee of being in excellent condition and will last many years.

Twenty-foot storage containers are available in a variety of colours, with grey, blue, red, and brown being the standard ones. You can choose the colour that best represents your business or your needs. Before you invest in 20-foot containers, measure the space where you will place them. Make sure that there is at least five feet of extra space on each side in your storage space.

The best source of 20-foot containers is a storage provider that can give you discounts if you are getting multiple containers. Get your 20-foot storage container from a company that can deliver in 24 hours in case you find yourself needing it ASAP.

5 Reasons To Choose Steel Storage Containers

Whether you need shipping containers for storage, workshop or delivery use, it is important to weigh your options carefully, especially if your goods have specific storage, temperature, and handling requirements. If you want a durable, environment-friendly, and long lasting storage solution for your business, then steel or metal containers are definitely your best choice. Here are 5 reasons why you should choose steel storage over plastic and other materials:

1.    Strength and durability –Metal containers are more structurally sound than plastic containers, making them stronger and more durable than other types of containers. They can hold heavier items and can be stacked comfortably, one on top of the other, which also means great space-saving capabilities for storage and shipping.

2.    Goods stay dry – Unlike wooden crates that absorb moisture and water, metal storage bins can keep your goods perfectly dry. They also create a stronger barrier against the forces of nature, especially when the containers are exposed during transit.  Goods are kept safe and dry, and protected against heavy downpours and powerful gusts of wind.

3.    Fire and weatherproof design – Built from the strongest materials, metal storage containers are built to withstand exterior forces. They are also designed to be fire-resistant and are built using strong metal panels to protect against theft.

4.    Pays for itself – A metal storage container may require a higher initial investment, but its durability and advantageous attributes make it a more practical option. They can be used for as long as needed, which means they are practically a one-time cost, except for regular maintenance for normal wear and tear.

5.    Versatile – Steel storage containers can be used practically everywhere, from deliveries to storage, transport, and even for building warehouse and even home units. These metal containers can also be used for internal or external storage—whatever your business may require.