Top Uses for Shipping Containers

In an ever expanding market for shipping containers their uses have become more and more diverse, creative and fascinating. Our own conversions department has worked on projects from to cat walks to bird hides and our moto is if you can imagine it, we can create it. However, at the core of our business are the top uses for shipping containers – tried and tested by our clients time and time again.

1. Storage
   This is the single most popular use for a shipping container! The strength and security that a shipping container offers makes them the perfect, anti-theft, vandal-proof storage unit on the market. With options to buy either new shipping containers or used shipping containers, with the right purchase you could be looking at between 15-30 years use out of your storage container. While used shipping containers are commonplace on building sites where they are used for storing tools and building materials, they are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the garden shed, and like an army are taking over new territories such as back gardens, allotments, school playing fields, and public spaces. With a few simple adaptations they can also used for the safe storage of chemicals. Chemical storage shipping containers need to be bunded to contain spillages and securely locked to conform to COSHH regulations, and due to their strength and security have become the top choice for the safe storage of chemicals.
2. Site Offices
   Probably the most common shipping container conversion. Depending upon your budget you can choose from either new shipping containers or used shipping containers as the starting point. With the addition of windows and personnel doors, lining, insulation, and electrics, shipping container offices of any size can be created in times much faster than that of traditional bricks and mortar buildings. Again, the strength and security of a steel shipping container makes them a popular choice for easy, portable working space. Containers Direct offer the ModiBox® range which incorporates flexible design in an discounted office package deal. We also take on bespoke builds for more unique requirements.
3. Catering
   As popular conversions go, not far behind office shipping containers are catering shipping containers. Even the smallest size unit can offer sufficient space for food production, and with a choice of designs for a serving hatch, including roller shutters, canopy hatches and fold out shutters windows, they can be adapted to your own design. Their popularity lies in their mobility, as they are perfect for the pop-up circuit of festivals, events and temporary residence. Larger catering units are also suitable for more permanent residence. See our shipping container conversion for our client’s small catering business residing in the picturesque Tavistock Meadows, Devon.
4. Garages
   Growing in popularity a shipping container makes an ideal store for cars. Watertight, strong and secure they can be adapted with extra width by either joining standard sized shipping containers together, or new-built to 10ft wide. Extra width means there’s room to manoeuvre once parked up inside, or even wider creates a double garage for either two cars or extra space for storage alongside the car. See our popular CarTainer®, specially built to 10ft wide and with a range of security features to lock up your pride and joy safely and securely.

Up and coming trends:

• Exhibition stands
• Pop-up stages
• Pop-up shops
• Biomass boiler houses
• Studios and workshops