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You can do so much more with a big steel box!
Shipping containers seem to have a use for everything, from storage units to offices and even pop-up shops, bars and events. The possibilities are endless.
Traditionally used for storage and cargo transport, recycling shipping containers into new and innovative ideas has become popular over recent years. They make great use of space, and are both versatile and practical. Like all good recycling methods, reusing shipping containers can also benefit the environment.
If you’re thinking about converting a shipping container, here is what you’ll need to help convert it with your end goal in mind. In this article, we will take a look at some of the wide range of the uses that you can get out of shipping container. We’ll also offer some tips on what you need to do to get a shipping container up to spec.
Larnec is in the business of making modifications to shipping container doors. If you’re thinking of putting a shipping container to use in a creative way, contact us to learn how we can help make it safe and secure.
Shipping containers for cafes and bars
Pop-up cafes and bars have become popular over recent years as the hospitality industry responds to an increased price of rent for commercial spaces. Pop-up cafes and bars are usually found during special events and festivals, in busy cities and in high foot traffic areas.
By using shipping containers for these, they can provide:
- Great recreational atmosphere
- Incredibly creative aesthetic
- Plenty of space for making food and drinks
Shipping container classrooms
With state schools known to be becoming busier and housing more children than ever before, schools, universities and other educational institutes are looking for more ways to use their space. Take a look at this amazing idea from a school in the UK to help them cut costs by building new classrooms from shipping containers.
Shipping container classrooms offer:
- Temporary and permanent classrooms
- Comfortable spaces for storage with easy air conditioning
- Multiple purposes for use, including storage
Homes made from shipping containers
Advancements in innovative design have seen architects and homeowners using shipping containers to build large, spacious, and economically friendly homes. This can give owners the option of building, designing, and fully customising their entire living space for less than the cost of buying a traditional house. It might even make you want to use one as a holiday home.
Further to this, in large cities with growing student populations, shipping container housing facilities have become an option to really make use of space to tackle this problem, while really helping to cut down on budget spend.
Some of the benefits of shipping container homes include:
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Reduced living and building cost
- Increased customisable space
Shipping container art galleries and other artistic spaces
Because shipping containers come in different shapes and sizes, their uses are wide-ranging. They can even be used as studios and be customised for the professional using it. Art galleries are an example of spaces that can really have an impact on what they’re displaying and can highlight the creativity around it. Have a look at this blog we found on 4 amazing art spaces made out of shipping containers.
Here’s why you might consider repurposing a shipping container as an art gallery:
- Easy to insulate and regulate an ambient temperature
- Encourages natural flow of light, air, and sound
- Simple to connect several spaces together in a creative way
Office space in shipping containers
If you’ve recently visited a construction site, you may have noticed that the office on-site is a shipping container. They can be easily transported, are strong, secure, and also versatile. So why not consider using it for regular office space? This low-budget office block was found near Tel Aviv and even makes use of one as a staircase.
There are many benefits to having your office space located in a shipping container:
- Easy to insulate, wire, and add air conditioning
- Moveable from site to site
- Easy to make completely safe and secure
If a shipping container is something you’re thinking about, we have a whole range of options to really help customise and modify them, while making them safe, secure and easy to use.
Shipping container doors
The first consideration available to people looking to use shipping containers outside of logistics is to improve access to the structure. Shipping container doors do just this, allowing owners to fit a sturdy, strong personal access door in the front or side of a container.
We have two options available for shipping container doors:
- The Sentry 200.CD Container Door allows easy retrofitting of a full metal clad personal access door to any container.
- The Sentry 200.BF Box Frame container door is an easy, weld-in solution for customised shipping containers.
Contact Us
Take a look at our doors for shipping containers, or get in touch with our friendly customer service team. They can advise you on the right products to help you get the most out of your shipping container project.
Frequently asked questions
Shipping containers are commonly used for site offices, storage units, workshops, accommodation, and pop-up commercial spaces.
These applications take advantage of their modular structure, durability, and ease of transport. Containers can be configured to suit a wide range of industrial and commercial uses beyond freight.
Shipping containers are suitable because they are structurally strong, portable, and quick to deploy.
They can be fitted with insulation, windows, and transportable building doors to create functional workspaces. This makes them ideal for construction sites and remote projects where fast setup is required.
Shipping containers are used as secure, weather-resistant storage units or compact workshops.
They can be configured with shelving, ventilation, and reinforced access points to support tools, equipment, and materials. Adding security doors or upgraded locksets can improve protection for high-value contents.
Yes, shipping containers can be converted into accommodation, retail spaces, or offices with the right modifications.
This may include insulation, electrical fit-outs, ventilation, and compliant access solutions. In many cases, doors and hardware are selected to support both usability and alignment with fire door or building requirements.
Pre-hung steel doors and transportable building doors are typically best for modified container applications.
These options are designed to support durability, security, and ease of installation in steel structures. Depending on the use case, doors can be configured with accessories such as seals, vision panels, and door closers to improve performance.
