Storing Furniture in a Shipping Container

Storing furniture in a shipping container is a popular use for our containers. In this guide we detail the pros and cons of storing furniture in a shipping container and we cover some of the ways to ensure your goods are kept safe, dry and secure.

Storing furniture in a shipping container at home

Shipping containers and a cheap, easy and quick way to get a large amount of secure storage space. As long as we have good access for a delivery truck into a site we can deliver this and lift it off near our truck, then we can put a shipping container at your address

This can make storing furniture in a shipping container a great idea for house renovations, but as shipping containers are so well built they can also offer a significant saving on a self-storage unit if you need a long-term option for storing furniture or other household items.

Having a shipping container storing furniture on your site is also a lot easier should you want to add or remove items during your project, or if you remember you need that one item you put into storage the other week. If the container is on your site is saves you time and costs moving your furniture to and from a self-storage yard.

Storing furniture in shipping containers in a commercial setting

If you sell furniture for a living you likely need a sizeable stock room. Our used 40ft shipping containers can offer fantastic long-term value and are always sold with our wind and watertight guarantee, meaning you are assured of a solid, weatherproof shipping container free of holes or leaks.

With one of our high security lock boxes and an insurance rated padlock you should be able to insure any contents under the policy covering the rest of your site, and we can also offer extra security features such as alarm systems for your shipping container that can notify up to 5 mobile phones the moment the alarm is set off (as well as sounding a loud siren)

Temperature fluctuations in a shipping container

It’s important to note, whilst a shipping container will keep the weather out, the temperature will fluctuate quote a lot as there is no insulation in a standard shipping container. You will have to assume that the temperature swing inside the shipping container will be similar to the temperature change outside. If your prized artwork or furniture items won’t withstand this temperature fluctuation then you will need to look at other options.

This can include an insulated, ply lined or ex refrigerated shipping container which can all ensure a more stable internal temperature inside a shipping container (which will also prevent any condensation build up overnight)

Condensation or sweat in a shipping container

Container DesiccantAs they cool down overnight a standard (not insulated) shipping container will get some condensation form on the inside of the roof of your container that may drip into the cargo space. For an average customer of ours who may be storing tools or machinery in their shipping container they may not mind, but if this is your house furniture in the shipping container you want it back in top condition.

There are a number of ways to prevent or combat condensation in a shipping container. Very briefly we’d recommend container desiccants for any short term project (like a big, non-toxic version of the silica gel pouches you might get in a new bag or pair of shoes) or for longer term condensation treatments we may recommend one of our treatments such as Grafo-Therm, ply-lining or one of our very popular shipping container insulation kits. The latter are ideal for long-term condensation prevention and are a very easy and cost-effective DIY option for 20ft and 40ft shipping containers.

For more detail on any condensation issues see our ultimate guide to shipping container condensation treatment options where we have a lot more detail and some hints and tips if you need to combat moisture problems in shipping containers.

How secure is my furniture when stored in a shipping container

The shipping container structure itself is obviously very well built and breaking into a properly secured container will require some form of heavy cutting gear, well beyond the scope of your average opportunist. However, we do recommend a high security lock box and an insurance rated padlock for any containers that are being used for storage. This will also ordinarily mean the contents of any shipping container can be added to any insurance policy already covering the address the containers is on.

Where to buy a shipping container to store furniture in

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).

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