Outdoor storage is essential for your home. The last thing you want is to have your household cupboards cluttered with gardening tools, DIY tools, not to mention the emergency chairs. To solve this storage problem, most people add a garden shed to the exterior of the property. However, it’s not always a savvy investment to make. Generally made from wood, garden sheds can quickly deteriorate – especially in British weather – to become unsafe, unsecure and eventually, unfit for purpose. These reasons combined illustrate the reason as to why shipping containers are quickly becoming the go-to traditional garden shed alternative for many homeowners across the country. We’ve put together 4 points, but we’re certain there are more grounds for why you should choose a new or used shipping container as additional outdoor storage for your home, instead of a garden shed.
Shipping containers require NO assembly
There’s nothing worse than purchasing a brand new garden shed, only to be faced with the task of having to construct it from scratch. A shipping container as an alternative to a garden shed poses no obstruction where construction is concerned. A shipping container is already built for the purpose of storage, so it’s ready to go as soon as you are. Of course, you have the option to convert your container to include electrical sockets and other fixtures and fittings, but a standard container simply requires transport and installation. In fact, you don’t even have to arrange for it be placed. At Universal Containers, we offer nationwide delivery to the UK mainland and our professional team of engineers will correctly install your container for you.
Shipping Containers are Cost-Effective
As the old saying goes – you get what you pay for. You may pay a few hundred pounds for a traditional garden shed but chances are, you’ll end up replacing the very same shed in a few short years as the rain begins to weaken the structure of the shed – causing internal and external damp issues – which in itself could result in damaging the contents of your shed. Rather than continually spending to keep your goods safe in a non-durable shed, a one-off investment in a shipping container that can be affordably maintained will prove to be much more cost-effective in the long-term.
Shipping Containers are Long-Lasting
Before a shipping container is converted or used for an alternative purpose – such as a garden shed – it’s important to consider it’s original use. Shipping containers are made to transport goods and cargo via rail, road and sea, so it’s vital that they are carefully constructed to not only be strong, but to withstand the elements that come with overseas transportation. Because of their original design, shipping containers are wholly secure and long-lasting. Their durable structure means that they require simple maintenance to keep them in top condition and unlike a garden shed, you won’t have to replace it 5 years down the line due to wear and tear.
Shipping Container provide more Security
It’s not uncommon to hear about your neighbours and relatives having their sheds broken into and thieves making off with the contents. Not only is this a horrendous thing to happen, but unfortunately, with traditional garden sheds – it’s difficult to prevent. This is why shipping containers are an ideal solution and an effective alternative to a shed. In their rawest form, shipping containers are already built with structural integrity, so their steel exterior already poses itself as a barrier to intruders. In addition to this, other secure fixtures and fittings can be added to a container at a low-cost, including but not limited to: lock boxes, steel shutters, security doors, etc. By doing so, you have the peace of mind that your container and its contents remain safe and secure.
Insightful? We certainly hope so! Shipping containers are rapidly rising in popularity due to the fact that their intended use is so diverse that it allows many people to use containers – converted or not – for a multitude of purposes. Ultimately, they solve the problems that arise when people are seeking additional space for domestic and commercial use. By using a shipping container instead of a traditional shed, you can rest assured that your items will remain damage-free and completely safe and secure.
If you would like to discuss an idea for a shipping container conversion with us, or you’d like some advise on buying or hire the right container to suit your needs, please call the Universal Containers team on 0845 050 0330 or email andy@universal-containers.com for friendly, no obligation advice.