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
Shipping containers come in two conditions: 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?
Standard shipping containers come in two sizes: 20ft and 40ft. They also come with two different heights: 8ft6 (DV) or 9ft6 (HC/High Cube). However, all containers are the same uniform width of 8ft. At Containers Direct, we specialise in cut down containers, allowing you to pick the exact length you need to suit you. Unfortunately, we're limited on width and heights using standard units, however if you need something taller or wider, we also offer new build containers, completely customisable to your exact measurements.
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
We offer a repaint service for all of our used, and once-used, containers. We would usually recommend repainting a used container, as the exterior appearance is considerably improved by doing so, and as such we include a free repaint for all used/second hand containers below 19ft in length. We offer a wide range of colours as standard, however certain bright or light colours e.g. red, orange, yellow, white etc. will incur an additional charge. More details on the colours we provide can be found here.
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?
If you require lighting or heating in your container, either for long term storage or as part of an office conversion, we are able to fit basic electrics to your shipping container. This can include (as standard) lighting, plug sockets, heaters, a consumer unit and external IP44 hook-up.
Cladding
One of our most popular customisations is cladding the outside of your shipping container. This is something to keep in mind if you need your container to blend into rural surroundings, or if you want the security of a shipping container without the appearance of one!
Looking for something else?
We offer an extensive range of options to customise your container to suit your specific requirements. For anything you can't see on our site, please give us a call and a member of our Sales team would be happy to assist you in finding what you're looking for. For even more inspiration, take a look at our full range of case studies, or even just our Unmissable Examples!
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.
"The container was in excellent condition and the delivery driver was really helpful. The sales team processed my sale quickly and were efficient."Getting Better Together
25th June 2025
order - two Used 20ft Containers
"All was great, from initial contact to delivery. Fantastic driver who navigated our limited access brilliantly. Very professional."Nakedesign Packaging Solutions Ltd
16th June 2025
order - a Used 10ft Container
"Always informative and look to achieve our requirements and lead times. Great communicators and they keep you updated on progress etc. Highly recommended by us!"Georgina Grace Limited
6th June 2025
order - six 3m and 4m Flat Pack Store Containers
"Excellent communication and great delivery drivers. Good product at a fair price."FM Conway Ltd
5th June 2025
order - a 'Once-Used' 10ft Container
"Excellent service from point of order. Communication was great on delivery and a thorough search of the area to make sure delivery was possible without unexpected problems. The driver was great, he rang an hour before and was pleasant and cheery on the phone."Red Kite Special Academy
29th May 2025
order - a 20ft ModiBox® Container
"Really smart container, very impressed! Excellent communication from the team throughout, able to help with any enquiries and made the process nice and smooth. Thank you!"RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
23rd May 2025
order - a Used 20ft Container Conversion
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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
