Why Choose Container Storage
Matt Wallace
8 minutes
October 1, 2022
This is Part 1 in a two part series. If you're already bought into the idea of using container storage & you're interested in finding out how to pick the best container storage company - click the link below for Part 2:
"How to Pick the Right Container Storage Company"
1. Shipping containers are very secure.
The World Economic forum estimates 60% of goods that are transported by sea are moved inside shipping containers. Which means that over $14 trillion worth of goods are transported in shipping containers every year, including some of the world's most expensive items.
They're designed to withstand turbulent weather - and to keep their cargo safe, dry & secure.
Don't just take our word for it:
2. It is the most affordable storage option.
In general there are two types of storage available in the UK.
- Container Storage
- Indoor Storage Rooms
Both options provide what we would define as quality storage, storage that is:
- Clean
- Dry
- Secure
But indoor storage facilities tend to come with higher costs to the companies running them. They need staff for longer hours (and more staff), there are higher operational costs to running a large building than a container storage.
Those additional costs are passed onto the customers in the form of higher prices.
Whereas container storage companies are able to keep their costs low and offer lower prices.
That doesn't mean every container storage company provides quality storage - but we can help you find the best container storage companies to store with.
3. 24 hour access.
Because containers are standalone units & are outside - it's much easier to safely give customers 24 hour access.
Most container storage companies will provide a fob or a pin code for opening / closing an electronic gate - giving their customers the ability to come and go as they please.
This is particularly useful for business storage customers who need access to their possessions 24 hours, 7 days a week.
But equally anyone storing their possessions because they're moving house doesn't want to be limited to office hours if they've got busy professional lives themselves.
This is in contrast to indoor storage room providers who need members of staff on site - to be around as people come into their buildings. This need for staff often limits access hours to storage units.
4. Container storage offers "drive up" access.
Shipping container storage offers ground-floor access that you can drive your car or van up to.
Indoor storage rooms will involve entering a building, navigating a hallway with a trolley & in some instances going to a 1st or 2nd floor using the stairs or a lift.
In this way - container storage is more convenient and less of a hassle.
5. Find storage closer to your home or business.
Some people looking for storage don't look at container storage as an option.
They focus only on the large national chains.
This is a mistake. It limits your options.
Not only can container storage save you money but it also gives you more storage companies to look at and a better chance of getting something closer to your home or business.
This is important especially if you're going to need to be accessing your storage regularly. Don't needlessly waste time in traffic on the way to a large indoor facility when there could be an independent storage company much closer to you.
On our location pages we include a map of showing the location of each storage company - use it to find the closest storage option. Start here at our storage location directory.
6. Heavy duty locks.
Container storage companies provide ultra secure padlocks (often this will involve a refundable deposit when you hand your key back).
A steel lock box further protects the lock from tampering.
This make it's incredibly hard to break into. Keeping your items very secure.
Indoor storage room providers will very often ask customers to either bring their own padlock or buy one on-site. Both options usually lead to a padlock that isn't as secure as the one provided by a container storage company - see blow for an example.
7. Simple to choose which size storage unit you need.
Indoor storage rooms tend to give a myriad of room sizes. The choice is meant to be empowering but it is often just confusing.
Do I need a 50ft2 room or a 70ft2 room? Is it worth the extra £6 a month to get the extra space?
With container storage there are usually 2 sizes:
And because container storage is usually materially cheaper than indoor storage rooms - if you need a little less than the sizes provided, it doesn't matter, it'll still be cheaper than an indoor storage room.
(There is an important caveat to this - which is if you don't need much storage, e.g 5-10 boxes it may well be worth getting small indoor storage room or using a box storage provider like ).
Not sure what size you need?
Use our storage size guide.
Below is a video we made to give you an idea of how much you can fit into a 20ft storage container:
Next steps...
If you're ready to get started there are 2 further ways Local Storage can help you:
- Use of container storage company directory to find a container storage company close to you.
- If you need a little more help you can read the 2nd part of this guide - "How to Choose the Right Container Storage Company"
