Shipping Container Blog

Top Three Uses For Shipping Containers in Schools **UPDATED
The top three uses of shipping container for schools include additional storage space, temporary or permanent classrooms and buildings for extra-curricular activities. Explore the options for each of these applications. There's a lot more to the shipping container than meets the eye!
Published Wednesday 10 March 2021, Updated Thursday 24 April 2025 in: General

How To Secure Your Shipping Container **UPDATED

October 2024 - blog post 4 by Sally Shipp

Steel shipping containers are by nature incredibly tough and provide good security compared to other forms of storage space. When locked up they will prevent opportunist break-ins, but determined thieves with the right tools will still try and find away to prise it open. Read our tips to find out ways to prevent this.
Published Tuesday 29 October 2024, Updated Wednesday 26 March 2025 in: General

Why are Shipping Containers Becoming Popular to Build Homes, Offices and Shops **UPDATED

March 2025

The shipping container conversion boom has given rise to containerised buildings being a common site in the wild nowadays. From pop-up shops and food stalls, to portable offices, and even small homes, you may be curious as to why a recycled metal box is rapidly finding its why into our landscape.
Published Wednesday 26 February 2025, Updated Friday 7 March 2025 in: General

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage? **UPDATED

March 2025

Planning permission for a home garage is not generally required, but make sure you've done your homework first to avoid a costly mistake! Find out more about the ins and outs of planning permission and why a container garage might be your best option.
Published Monday 31 July 2023, Updated Friday 7 March 2025 in: General

The Advantages of a Shipping Container Security Hut **UPDATED

February 2025

There are many advantages to using a shipping container kiosk or cabin. Portable, durable, secure, warm and dry, it can travel with you wherever you go. Find out how a shipping container portable security hut can work for your construction site, special event, festival and more.
Published Tuesday 31 January 2023, Updated Tuesday 25 February 2025 in: General

Shipping Container Storage vs Self- Storage: Which Is Best? **UPDATED

February 2025

If you're looking for the ideal storage solution for your home or business, you may be weighing up a self-storage facility against buying your own shipping container. Find out which option can work best for your needs.
Published Tuesday 28 January 2025, Updated Monday 24 February 2025 in: General

Securing Your Building Site Office Against Theft **UPDATED

January 2025

How secure is your site office? Don't become a victim of construction site crime! Find out ways to make sure your office is not an easy target for thieves and vandals and keep your business safe.
Published Monday 20 March 2023, Updated Monday 27 January 2025 in: General

Why 20 foot Shipping Containers Are So Versatile? **UPDATED

January 2025

Of all shipping containers sizes, the 20ft length container is the most common, versatile and best value for money per sq ft. Great as a cheap, secure storage unit, easily modifed with user-friendly optional extras, or perfect as the foundation for a conversion project.
Published Friday 19 July 2024, Updated Friday 24 January 2025 in: General

Can I Have Doors in the Side of a Shipping Container? **UPDATED

January 2025

The answer is - yes of course! We offer a wide range of door types to fit into your container, designed to be the best match for your usage requirements. Side doors are popular for the easiest and most convenient access to the inside of your container.
Published Wednesday 24 July 2024, Updated Thursday 23 January 2025 in: General

What size container do I need for my home office? **UPDATED

January 2025

A shipping container office can be as small or as large as you need. Depending on the space you have in your garden for your set up, anything from a bolthole for taking and making calls, to a permanent workplace with all the mod cons is possible!
Published Tuesday 10 January 2023, Updated Thursday 23 January 2025 in: General

Can You Join Shipping Containers Together? **UPDATED

December 2024

The simple answer is yes! Which then leads to the more interesting questions of why and how. In a nutshell, the reason to connect shipping containers is for extra width in conversions that require it. No need to be restricted to the standard ISO dimension of 8ft wide when you can take two, or more, and join them together.
Published Monday 16 December 2024, Updated Thursday 23 January 2025 in: General

What to Think About Before Installing a Shipping Container in Your Garden **UPDATED

November 2024

Shipping containers are a quick, easy and low-cost choice for garden storage, or as an extra space for work, play, or relaxation in your garden. Plan ahead to make sure you avoid any unforeseen issues before it's too late.
Published Friday 31 March 2023, Updated Thursday 23 January 2025 in: General

How to Prevent Condensation in Shipping Containers **UPDATED

Published Tuesday 2 May 2023, Updated Tuesday 3 December 2024 in: General

Coming Soon! Littlehampton Seafront Regeneration Project **UPDATED

November 2024 - blog post 1 by Sally Shipp

We're excited to announce our next big contract, to supply a total of four retail units, based on our MenuBox® design, as part of the marketplace area in the seven point regeneration of this seaside town in West Sussex. With an emphasis on buildings that reduce the carbon footprint of the project, our upcycled shipping container conversions are ideal for providing "pop-up" food and drink units for visitors. See our preview of the work we are starting, to be completed and delivered to Littlehampton seafront early next spring.
Published Monday 18 November 2024, Updated Monday 2 December 2024 in: General

Turning a Shipping Container into a Home Gym **UPDATED
***UPDATED*** We now offer the GymBox® - a low-cost standard package of features and sizes to get you started training in you garden!
Finding it hard to stay motivated with your exercise regime? Do your gym membership fees outweigh your usage? If you'd like to stay fit without leaving the house or paying ongoing costs then a home gym is the solution. Not many people are fortunate enough to have the space indoors for their gym equipment, but with a shipping container gym all you need is a little bit of space in your garden. See how a basic shipping container can be transformed into a home gym with the addition of few modifications.
Published Thursday 4 June 2020, Updated Monday 2 December 2024 in: General

Tips on How to Buy a Used Shipping Container **UPDATED

Updated October 2024 - Blog post 3 by Jenni Lui
Thinking of buying a used shipping container but are concerned about the pitfalls? This article walks you through the things to look out for, what to avoid, and how to know if you're getting value for money. In 6 tops tips we'll tell you everything you need to know about buying second hand containers.
Published Monday 25 November 2019, Updated Monday 25 November 2024 in: General

Shipping Containers For Construction Sites **UPDATED
Shipping containers are an essential addition to any construction site. As construction sites generally exist for a temporary period of time, any facilities and amenities required there need to be portable, quick to provide, easy to erect and take down again. For these reasons shipping containers are an essential addition to construction sites, providing fast and flexible solutions to all practical and legal site requirements.
Published Wednesday 28 July 2021, Updated Monday 25 November 2024 in: General

Why Choose a Toilet Container Over Plastic Portable Toilets? **UPDATED
With outdoor season is upon us most of us will be braving the toilets at some kind of outdoor event or tourist attraction. While plastic portable toilets are the cheapest most practical option for large festivals where a temporary toilets are required en masse, for smaller events, campsites or fixed locations, toilet containers can be a better option.
Published Tuesday 25 June 2024, Updated Monday 25 November 2024 in: General

Why A Storage Container Is Perfect For Football Clubs **UPDATED

October 2024 - blog post 2 by Sally Shipp

Shipping containers are a common sight on football club grounds. Strong, secure and versatile they can be used for general storage of club equipment, or converted to provide a clubhouse or other facillities. There's good news if you're a looking for a secure storage container for your grass roots club or organisation, as you may be eligible for a grant of up to £25,000 from The Football Foundation.
Published Thursday 22 April 2021, Updated Thursday 31 October 2024 in: General

The Bottom Line - What To Put Under Your Shipping Container **UPDATED
Where you choose to place your shipping container is very important to prevent future problems with using the doors. In particular original shipping container doors (ISO doors) can be a bit of a heave-ho to open and close, and if the container isn't sited on hard-standing, level ground this can make things worse. The simple solution is to plan and prepare for delivery in advance.
Published Tuesday 19 May 2020, Updated Tuesday 1 October 2024 in: General

How to Get Rid of Your Old Shipping Container **UPDATED
Don't dump your unwanted shipping container! Talk to us about how we can recycle your old shipping container. Whether it's a good condition container that you simply no longer have use for or something older that you just need out the way, we will buy your shipping container - any age, size or condition considered!
Published Tuesday 12 October 2021, Updated Friday 27 September 2024 in: General

Can I Put a Shipping Container on My Property **UPDATED
A question we frequently get asked is can I put a shipping container on my property. It's impossible to give a definitive answer on the point of planning permission, as local planning authorities have differing regulations depending on where you live, but in broad terms a shipping container is classed as a temporary structure, and therefore are exempt from requiring planning permission. So yes, you can put a shipping container on your property. However, we recommend you read on to be sure you don't make a costly mistake.
Published Tuesday 5 May 2020, Updated Wednesday 25 September 2024 in: General

What is the difference between a new and used shipping container? **UPDATED

Published Tuesday 3 September 2024, Updated Tuesday 3 September 2024 in: General

Can a Shipping Container be Used as a Garage? **UPDATED
You may have heard of shipping containers being used as garage to store cars in. This is in part true, but if you're thinking of using one yourself, you should dig a little deeper to find out how to avoid getting stuck in your car inside the garage!
Published Wednesday 28 August 2024, Updated Thursday 29 August 2024 in: General

What is the Best Type of Door For a Shipping Container? **UPDATED
If you picture a shipping container in your head we can guarantee you'll visualise it with standard corrugations and vertical locking bars. These are the original ISO doors that shipping containers are manufactured with, but you might be surprised to find out we offer five different door types when you buy from Containers Direct.
Published Thursday 15 August 2024, Updated Friday 16 August 2024 in: General

Can Shipping Containers be 10ft wide? **UPDATED

Published Wednesday 31 July 2024, Updated Thursday 15 August 2024 in: General

Maximising The Life Of Your Shipping Container **UPDATED
We often get asked the important question - "how long does a shipping container last?". This is a tricky one to give a definitive answer to, as there are so many variables involved, but we can give guidance on how to maximise the life of your shipping container. As with most things in life, careful use and proper maintenance prolongs the condition and life span.
Published Tuesday 6 August 2024, Updated Wednesday 7 August 2024 in: General

How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Container? **UPDATED
Container conversions cover anything from a having a lock box fitted, a new door or ply lining, to a full scale repurposing into an office, garage, pop-up food stall, and everything in between. Find out more about the most common options offered to enhance or transform a shipping container that gives you exactly what you need.
Published Tuesday 30 July 2024, Updated Wednesday 31 July 2024 in: General

Can I use shipping containers for my Self Build project? **UPDATED
Self build homes are a popular path to homeownership in the UK. There are so many plus points to self build. Not only does it give people the chance to tailor their house exactly to their needs, as well as usually enjoying a not insignificant profit if and when they come to sell, but you will also get more house for your money as well as the chance to live in a more sustainable home, providing you follow a few self build tips along the way. Of course that's not to say that building your own home doesn't have its challenges.
Published Tuesday 2 July 2024, Updated Tuesday 2 July 2024 in: General

Read Our May Newsletter - Price drop on our shipping containers! **UPDATED
Take advantage of our shipping container price cuts today! This is not a sale or a short-term special offer, we've reduced our prices on standard shipping containers for the foreseeable future. This applies to our 20fts, 40fts and many of our cut-down in between container sizes. Browse our range of shipping container sizes and save as much as £500 on previous prices.
Published Wednesday 29 May 2024, Updated Wednesday 29 May 2024 in: General

View the ARCHIVES