Picking The Right Shipping Container
Our Guide to Help You Choose the Right Shipping Container
Although in principle a shipping container is a familiar object, we understand that picking out the right container to suit your needs can get a little confusing. With a wide range of options to pick from, we've decided to simplify the basics and create a guide to help you choose the right shipping container for you.Pick from once-used or used
- Once-used shipping containers have literally only been used once and are considered 'new' in the industry. These units might have the odd dent or scrape from their one trip into the country, but are otherwise as new.
- Used or second hand shipping containers can be anywhere from 10-15 years old, and are typically ex-hire from the shipping lines. This means, cosmetically, there is a significant difference, with scrapes, dents and rust evident. However, all of our used containers are repaired or refurbished before sale to ensure they are still structurally sound, and at a cost effective price. If the appearance matters, but you're working with tight budget constraints, we have a range of options to help improve the appearance.


What size?

What doors do you need?
Containers Direct offer 4 different door types on the majority of our units to ensure that your unit is perfectly suited to the job you need it to do. Our most popular options are the S1 door, an easy opening and newly fabricated door, along with the S2 door, which is the original container doors. We also offer our bespoke S3 style doors, personnel doors and even roller shutter doors.
Colour choices

Does your container need insulating or lining?
Shipping containers are unfortunately prone to condensation, especially given the fluctuating UK temperatures! This can be problematic, particularly if you're storing soft furnishings or paperwork in your container. We offer different methods to combat condensation: grafotherm, ply lining and insulation and melamine lining. Click the links below to find out more!
Electrical installations?
Cladding
Looking for something else?
Request a Quick Quote!
Contact our sales team for your no obligation quote, including delivery!Testimonials
As a long established and reputable shipping container company, we want to instil confidence in our customers that we can deliver on our promises, and provide high quality products and service.But don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what our past and present clients have to say about Containers Direct.

"Cory was very personable, knowledgeable and helpful."Redbridge Primary School
29th April 2025
order - a 3m Flat Pack Office Container

"Good Communication and Overall Good Experience. Thanks."Headway Traffic Management Ltd
28th April 2025
order - a 16ft New Build Toilet Block Container

"Great service overall, excellent communication from enquiry to delivery."James Davis, Eastlight Community Housing
23rd April 2025
order - a Used 20ft Containers

"Everything was very straightforward - Cory and Hannah were very helpful and informative, they answered any questions I had."Bodmin Hockey Club
4th April 2025
order - a 4m Flat Pack Store Container

"Thoroughly impressed at the ease by which the whole process was executed; Neil Clarke, Hannah Jones & Iwona Binczycka were all very professional and a pleasure to deal with. Thank you."True24m Ltd
31st March 2025
order - four 'Once-Used' 10ft Containers

"We found Containers Direct a very approachable and helpful company, and they are straightforward to deal with. Many thanks."Kenneth Craig
25th March 2025
order - a Used 10ft Container
Committed to Quality
We are ISOQAR Approved; certified to the ISO standard relating to Quality Management Systems, demonstrating our Company's commitment to quality. We are also members of MakeUK who champion and celebrate British manufacturing and manufacturers, and member of the Container Self Storage and Traders Association; an international organisation representing the interests of Container Self-Storage Operators, Traders and Innovators.
ISO Cert No. 13586-QNS-001
ISO 9001:2015


