Condensation in Shipping Containers
This is a guide to help users reduce and rectify the problem of condensation in shipping containers.
If you’ve done your homework you’ll know shipping containers are fantastic for storage solutions or for exporting goods around the world. They are versatile constructions that be used for a wide range of things. If you’ve not done your homework, don’t worry, our shipping container help page is a greeat place to get started.
Even when wind & watertight, if a container is sat static on your site you may find that condensation will form on the inside of the roof as it cools down overnight. This can cause problems if you’re storing paperwork, textiles, foods or any other moisture sensitive goods. Condensation in shipping containers is fast becoming a popular topic on blogs, forums and webpages and putting people off shipping containers as their perfect storage solution. We have decided to share this knowledge on moisture and condensation prevention to not only make you aware a shipping container can still be the solution to your problem but also help you make the right decision and get exactly what you want. As far as we’re concerned, if a shipping container is the best solution, a bit of moisture should never put you off. Especially when we have some fantastic condensation prevention options at our finger tips!
You may have seen the term Grafo-Therm if you’re browsing the Internet for condensation in shipping containers. It is a very popular and cost effective treatment against condensation. A thin layer of Grafo is applied to the inside of the roof of your container which traps and holds any condensation as it forms. This prevents it dripping onto any goods stored. It is applied by our yard prior to the container being delivered as a spongy substance onto a clean roof. It soaks up and holds any moisture that forms within your container and stop it dripping.
The downside to grafotherm, it wont’ ever come off, and instead of preventing moisture fro forming, it traps and hold the moisture as it forms. There is an anti bacterial agent within the grafo that will wear out in approx 7 years, and its also very nasty stuff to work with if you were looking to apply your own.
Recently we have also starting offering our Self Fit Insulation Kits. These are very handy insulation kits that can be fitted to your container at any time. This allows you to decide if condensation will be a problem for you before committing to a spend on condensation control.
The shipping container insulation kits are only a few mm thick but they perform similarly to 55mm of polystyrene insulation. They drastically slow the rate of cooling inside your container and this prevents condensation forming inside. These insulation kits can always be removed if needed at a later date. for the majority of customers using shipping containers for storage, and who need a long term condensation treatment this is our current recommendation.
Lining and Insulating is a relatively simple process but can be quite time consuming. A number of our customers simply get the shipping containers from us and carry out the boarding/lining themselves. However, if you’re not fancying the DIY option, we have a lot of experience with lined and Insulated shipping containers and can offer this option at most of our UK depots. Styles do vary from one depot to the next but essentially we build a frame inside the container from 2×4 batons, fix an internal wall to the inside of this frame (leaving the original shipping container wall on the outside), and the cavity space in the middle is stuffed Rockwool or similar insulation material.
Moisture absorbent ‘dampsticks’ are another more temporary solution to condensation in shipping containers, often used when shipping cargo. Once removed from its packaging and placed in a container a dampstick starts working immediately. Each one is slightly different in design but the orange, Bone Dry options we offer have ‘non return’ membrane pads which absorb moisture from the air. The water these sticks collect is stored in the base of the dampstick and once it’s full (around 2 litres) it is easy to empty and dispose of. These are a very popular option for sites where you’re only intending to store condensation sensitive goods for a short period of time.
Some customers simply buy containers from us and look into condensation prevention themselves. For example. using a dehumidifier can not only reduce the humidity in the air but also reduce condensation build up. Most dehumidifiers extract water from the conditioned air and store it so anything collected is also easy to dispose of (obviously subject to each type of dehumidifier and how they work).
In Conclusion this means there are certainly solutions to the famous condensation problem. However, it’s always worth asking us if you have any queries or thoughts, given the wide range of scenarios our customers can face, we cant’ guarantee that these options will suit every eventuality.
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).