How to choose a 20 ft container: use, doors and condition

The 20 ft container is about 6 metres long and in the collection has a capacity of 30 m³ in the standard version and 33.2 m³ in the high cube one. It suits storing tools and materials on site, archiving, and any case where space for the lorry and the crane is limited. If you have no special requirements, take a used standard; if you need more height or easier loading, look at high cube and versions with special doors.

The types

• Standard shipping container, new or used. This is the Corten steel box with double doors at one end. The new one has sound panels and paint; the used one costs less, but needs a good look before you decide. Example: a used 20 ft container.
• High cube (HC). Same length but taller: about 2.9 m against 2.6 m for the standard. It is for tall loads, shelving, or anyone who wants more headroom inside.
• With full side access. The long side opens almost entirely, so you can load and unload without having to go all the way in. For example the model with full side access.
• With doors at both ends. The double door lets you walk through the box and use the opposite side without moving all the material.
• With roller shutter doors. Roller shutter doors do not swing outwards and take up less space in front of the box. They are also available in the high cube version.
• Hard top. A container with a removable steel roof, for loading from above with a crane. It is in the collection in the new version.
• Flat platform. A flat bed with no walls or roof, designed for bulky loads and not for keeping materials.
• Special versions. The collection also includes models described as Hazmat or tunnel: if you need them, ask the AMES technicians to confirm what they include.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

• Length and height. Here the length is always 20 feet. The height changes: standard or high cube. Also check the profile of the vehicle that will carry it.
• Volumetric capacity. From 30 m³ to 33.2 m³ in the collection. The higher value is for those storing bulky material.
• Material. Steel, sometimes Corten, which resists corrosion better. Paint and the condition of the welds also matter.
• Doors. Double, watertight, roller shutter or at both ends. Choose according to how you load and how much space you have in front.
• Floor. Treated non-slip timber or 28 mm marine plywood. If you move heavy loads with a truck, look at the thickness and condition.
• Colour and extras. Light grey or blue versions are available. Among the extras, air conditioning is mentioned, useful if you use it as a workroom and not only as a store.

Common mistakes

• Not checking access. The lorry with a crane and the manoeuvring space must reach all the way to where you place it.
• Placing it on unprepared ground. Without beams or footings at the corners and levelling, the doors do not close properly.
• Looking only at the price of a used one. Ask for photos of the roof, floor, seals and rust before deciding.
• Confusing standard and high cube. A tall load will not pass through the door of a standard: measure first.
• Forgetting maintenance. Hinges and locking bars must be greased and the paint touched up where rust appears.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a 20 ft container?

About 6 metres. The format is the same for all models; what changes is the height and the door configuration.

Is new or used better?

For a store on site, a used one in good condition is often enough. A new one makes sense if the goods are delicate or if the box stays in the same place for a long time.

How is it unloaded and placed?

With a vehicle fitted with a crane that hooks onto the four corner blocks. The box is then levelled so that the doors open and close without effort.

Can it be locked with a padlock?

Yes. A padlock is used on the doors, and the hinges and locking bars are greased to keep everything moving freely.

You will find all the models in the 20 ft Containers collection: to choose the right one for your job or to request a quote, write to the AMES technicians.