Shipping container dry box storage is designed for general goods that do not require refrigeration, ventilation, or special handling. A dry container is the most common type of container, so it can hold a very wide range of goods.
Turning a shipping container into a dry box storage unit is a practical and cost-effective solution, but it requires some steps to ensure it is weatherproof, secure, and long-lasting.
To know how to convert a shipping container into dry storage, read this article!
Contents
The Function of Container Dry Box Storage
1. Consumer Goods
Consumer goods include household items, electronics, appliances, clothing, toys, and other retail products.
Using a shipping container as dry storage for consumer goods is a very common and effective solution because containers are strong, secure, and weather-resistant. Its heavy-duty steel walls and lockboxes will protect your goods against theft.
However, for sensitive electronics or delicate goods, consider insulation or lining to minimize extreme heat/cold effects.
2. Industrial Materials
Using a shipping container as dry storage for industrial materials is a smart solution because containers are designed to handle tough conditions, provide security, and are easy to relocate.
A container dry storage is ideal to store industrial materials like machinery, spare parts, tools, equipment, lumber, steel, cement bags, tiles, and non-hazardous chemicals.
Built from corten steel, a container is strong enough to store heavy and bulky items. Therefore, they can be placed directly at factories, warehouses, or construction sites.
3. Food & Beverages (Non-Perishable)
Keeping your food items, like canned food, dried food, bottled drinks, packaged snacks, and spices, safe from rain, dust, and rodents with a dry container storage box. As a great food inventory, it has heavy steel walls with lockable doors that protect high-value goods.
However, this dry container is not suitable for fresh produce, frozen food, or dairy, as those items require refrigerated (reefer) containers.
To prevent mold or packaging damage to your goods, use desiccant packs, dehumidifiers, or container vents to prevent mold or packaging damage. You can also keep the goods sealed and palletized off the floor for pest prevention.
4. Office & Educational Supplies
Storing non-perishable office and education supplies will be better with container dry storage because it provides secure, weatherproof, and flexible space at a lower cost than traditional storage buildings.
A container has weather protection that will keep supplies like paper, books, stationery, computers, and other IT equipment safe from rain, dust, and humidity.
It has heavy-duty steel and lockable doors to prevent theft and vandalism, making it is safe to be placed at schools, universities, offices, or remote sites.
5. Bulk Commodities (Bagged or Palletized)
Containers provide secure, weatherproof, and flexible storage while allowing efficient handling of large volumes of goods.
Using them as dry storage for bulk commodities like fertilizers, animal feed, plastic pellets, or raw materials, and bags of cement or sand, is a widely adopted practice in logistics, agriculture, and industrial sectors.
For flooring & weight management, use pallets or dunnage to keep goods off the floor and distribute weight evenly. Meanwhile, for very heavy loads, consider reinforced steel flooring.
You can also add ventilation systems, desiccants, or dehumidifiers to prevent mold and condensation, especially important for grains, cement, or other moisture-sensitive items.
6. Personal Use
A shipping container dry storage unit is an excellent choice for storing personal goods because it offers security, weather protection, and flexibility.
People often use them for both short-term moves and long-term safekeeping, as it is cheaper than renting traditional storage units or building sheds. Personal container storage can be placed at home or relocated when moving.
This is perfect for extra storage during renovations or relocations, and overflow storage for bulky furniture or seasonal gear.
For moisture protection inside the container, you can use desiccants, dehumidifiers, or vents to prevent mold and mildew. Also, place items on pallets to avoid direct floor contact.
How to Turn a Shipping Container Into a Dry Storage
1. Choose the Right Container
It is important to choose the right type and condition of shipping container when converting it into a dry storage unit.
The right container will ensure the durability, efficiency, and protection of your stored goods. Select a cargo-worthy or wind & watertight (WWT) one to ensure it has no holes, rust, or major dents.
Then, choose between 20’, 40’, or 45’ depending on how much you plan to store. You can use high-cube containers if you need more vertical space for bulky or palletized goods, as they provide 1’ of height.
2. Inspect and Repair
Even if the container looks sturdy, small issues like rust spots or seal damage can lead to leaks, condensation, or pest entry, which defeats the purpose of “dry” storage. Therefore, you need to inspect and repair a shipping container before converting it into a dry storage unit.
Check for rust, dents, or holes in the steel walls and roof. Then, seal any small openings with welding or weatherproof sealant.
3. Ensure Weatherproofing
Ensuring weatherproofing is one of the most critical steps when converting a shipping container into a dry storage unit. Without proper weatherproofing, moisture, rain, and temperature fluctuations can compromise both the container and the stored items.
To overcome the weatherproofing problem, you can install door seals and gaskets to keep out rain, dust, and pests. Also, consider weatherproof paint or coatings for extra protection.
4. Improve Ventilation
Standard shipping containers are airtight and can trap moisture inside. This leads to condensation, mold, mildew, and rust over time. Proper airflow helps regulate temperature and humidity levels, keeping stored items safe.
You can add louver vents or whirlybird vents to reduce condensation and moisture buildup to achieve that. If you store moisture-sensitive items, you can also install dehumidifiers.
5. Flooring Preparation
Shipping containers usually come with marine-grade plywood floors that may be treated with chemicals and can wear down after years of use.
Therefore, preparing the flooring ensures durability, cleanliness, and protection for stored goods. Moreover, the proper one not only extends the life of the container but also keeps stored items in dry, safe, and clean conditions.
First, deep clean and seal the floor to prevent moisture absorption and pests. Then, apply epoxy or polyurethane for added durability and resistance against spills. Add vinyl, rubber mats, or steel/aluminum plates for easy cleaning and extra load-bearing strength.
6. Install Shelving or Racks
Shelving or racks aim to maximize space; add steel shelving or pallet racking systems. They can also keep goods organized and off the floor.
7. Add Security Features
Adding security features is very important when converting a shipping container into a dry storage unit. While containers are built with strong Corten steel walls, they can still be vulnerable to forced entry, theft, or vandalism if not properly secured.
For container storage security, you need to install a lockbox to protect padlocks. You can also upgrade to heavy-duty locks or electronic access systems.
8. Optional Insulation
Insulation helps reduce condensation. If storing items sensitive to heat or cold, use spray foam, EPS panels, or PIR insulation.
9. Placement and Foundation
Place the container on a level foundation (concrete slab, railroad ties, or steel beams). This keeps the container elevated, preventing water damage and rust on the bottom rails.
Conclusion
A dry storage container is best for non-perishable, dry, and packaged goods, making it one of the most versatile transport and on-site storage solutions.
Buy or rent a dry storage container from Tradecorp, a reliable container sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp is here to meet your jobsite storage container needs.
We also provide modification and custom shipping container services by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!