The Right Storage Solution for Your Facility

Storage solutions have certainly changed over the years. When people think about storage containers, they imagine industrial vessels or railroad cars with steel boxes stacked on top of each other. These containers are also known as intermodal, ocean, freight, or shipping containers. Shipping containers transport goods long distances by sea and land. Containerization originated in the late 18th century in the mining regions of England. Back then, people loaded containers for transport in box boats. Luckily, this mode of transportation and storage has come a long way in design, construction, and efficiency. From the first open-top wooden boxes to today’s stackable steel shipping containers, we’ll look at our industry’s progress.

By the mid-1900s, shipping containers were durable. Constructed to withstand exposure to extreme weather and harsh conditions. And they play a significant role in international trade and commerce. They store materials and equipment at construction sites, ports, and warehouses. Most recently, people repurpose them as offices, homes, schools, shops, and disaster relief. With an estimated 20 million shipping containers in the world, they are everywhere. And the storage industry keeps on growing.

As the demand for storage increased, storage container manufacturers were posed with an opportunity to develop containers with a new set of features and sizes. They wanted to make storage units that are lighter, more weatherproof, and more aesthetically pleasing. Storage businesses wanted containers that could be customized, simple to order, quick to install, and easy to move and relocate (even when fully loaded). So, over the years, storage container manufacturers aimed to fill the growing need for a lightweight, movable, and cost-effective version of a shipping container.

Enter portable, relocatable, mobile, moving, movable storage containers. Whatever you call them, these storage solutions work in today’s self-storage marketplace. We are still talking about a steel box with walls, floors, doors, and roofs. But today’s portable and relocatable storage solutions are different. Let’s look at their differences in size, construction, mobility, and purpose.

Ocean containers transport goods in massive quantities by sea, rail, and road. They are quite large with standard sizes of 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet and sometimes even 48 and 53 feet. Today’s portable and relocatable storage containers are often smaller and lighter duty. Their sizes range from 5 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet and 20 feet (to name a few).

These smaller size storage options offer more flexibility for placement and access. It is also possible to subdivide them into smaller units with removable partitions. Portable and relocatable containers can be moved and placed into tighter spaces. This is important for properties with land restrictions or narrow driveways and limited access. Additionally, portable and relocatable storage containers are easier to load and unload. This reduces the time and labor required for transportation and storage.

Ocean containers and portable and relocatable storage containers are all designed to be sturdy and durable. Ocean containers, however, are much heavier than portable and relocatable storage containers (about 2,000 pounds more per 20-foot container). Constructed with lighter materials, portable and relocatable storage containers are convenient and flexible. And their corrugated steel roofs protect against the elements and prevent water from pooling or leaking.

Some storage manufacturers even offer a removable pitch kit that bolts into place in minutes. This helps create a pitched roof to meet building requirements or customer preference. And some manufacturers apply an anti-condensation coating on the ceilings. This helps reduce condensation caused by humidity and temperature swings. Another key feature of portable and relocatable storage containers is their doors. You have the option for roll-up or swing doors, both of which are compatible with smart, hands-free entry and locking systems.

Ocean containers travel on ocean vessels, rail roads, and truck chassis. When placed on land, shipping containers need a flat, hard, concrete type level surface. Portable and relocatable storage containers travel on trailers, trucks, trains, ships, and cranes. With features such as wall vents, vertical e-track, and tie downs for safe transport of stored items, they are ready to move.

One of the top features of these storage solutions is that they need little-to-no foundation or major site preparation. Plus, they arrive flat-packed to your location. This reduces transportation costs. And they assemble with a few dozen nuts, bolts, and standard tools. Once assembled, these storage containers are ready for moving and on-site storing. And most of the portable and relocatable storage containers can move once assembled. They are equipped with forklift pockets to make them easy to move around and stack, even when loaded.

While they have widespread storage uses on land, shipping containers are primarily used to transport goods by sea or rail. Portable and relocatable storage containers also transport goods. They travel both long and short distances. Their durability, size, and mobility features also make them convenient for temporary onsite storage. This is a great solution for restoration or remediation, businesses, and homeowners.

Place these portable and relocatable storage solutions anywhere, whether you are building or adding to an existing self-storage facility. They are accessible with ground-level and ADA access. So, they are easier to load and unload than shipping containers. Shipping containers often need a strong person to open the double swing doors. Plus, you will need a ramp or other equipment. Another feature of the portable and relocatable storage containers is being able to customize them. You choose the colors, façade, swing or rollup doors to match existing structures at a self-storage facility. And you can brand these storage containers with your company’s logo, telephone number, and website.

There will always be a need for ocean containers. But there is also a growing need for portable and relocatable storage solutions with features and sizes that work in today’s marketplace. The storage industry has adapted and grown to meet evolving consumer demand. And storage container manufacturers have created new storage solutions. These come in a variety of sizes and are durable enough to move from location to location. They are flexible enough to fit in and around a self-storage facility. And they are customizable to match a company’s existing brand and colors. Portable and relocatable storage containers are a practical option. Here is your solution for expanding your offerings and growing your revenue.