There are a million and one reasons to get your hands on a shipping container. But what type of box is best for you will depend on your plans and priorities.
Not sure whether to go for a new (one trip) or used shipping container? These pros and cons should give you a good idea of which type of box best suits your needs…
Aesthetics
New: New shipping containers are much more pleasing to the eye. They have had one sea trip, so the odd dink or scratch is inevitable, but generally they are smart with better uniformity. If you have a specific colour option in mind, a new container will definitely be your best option.
Used: We won’t beat around the bush – used shipping containers are not the prettiest structures and have no cosmetic guarantees. But rest assured, what used containers may lack in the aesthetics department, they definitely make up for in practicality and cost-effectiveness.
Security
New: All new shipping containers come with factory-fitted lockboxes for the utmost security.
Used: Whilst used shipping containers don’t, as standard, come with lockboxes, we at Lion can fit them for you upon request. Still super secure, but more of an added extra.
Financials
New: At Lion Containers we offer the industry’s most competitive rate for new shipping containers. Don’t just take our word for it though – get a quick quote today to see for yourselves. Of course, when purchasing a high-end product, you’d expect the price to reflect the quality of the item you’re receiving…if the price seems too good to be true, chances are it is. Click here for more information on red flags to look out for when receiving a suspiciously cheap quote.
Used: Used shipping containers are definitely easier on your pocket! That’s not to say that they’re cheap in quality – any used container you buy from Lion Containers will still be guaranteed wind and watertight.
Modifications
New: If it’s a modified shipping container you’re after, then a new one is usually your best bet. They’ve had a shorter life – much shorter, literally just the one trip – so they have many more years left in them and have been battered significantly less by the weather. If your shipping container conversion is particularly ambitious – we’re talking multi-storey retail spaces and the like – then a new shipping container is exactly what you need.
Used: Not everyone is looking to construct a whole shipping container shopping mall…some people just simply want a few add-ons and lowkey modifications. If this sounds more like what you’re after, then chat to our conversion experts to see if a more budget-friendly used container is an option for you.
Environmental
New: If being as environmentally conscious as possible is your priority, then maybe a new shipping container should be your Plan B. They have a few more years of shipping left in them, so taking one off the shipping lines means that another one needs to be produced. That said, modified new shipping containers can be fabricated into some of the most sustainable structures currently on the market. Click here to check out one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable, completely off-grid, self-sufficient shipping container homes.
Used: Used shipping containers are a brilliant, environmentally friendly choice. By choosing a used container, you are not only stopping it from going to scrap, but also reducing carbon emissions by negating the need to manufacture a new one. A used shipping container is helpful to you and helpful to the planet!
Insulation & Cladding
It’s a tie: When it comes to insulation and cladding, both new and used shipping containers can be fitted out to meet the customer’s spec, so the choice really is yours to make.
Need even more information on which type of shipping container best suits your needs? Give us a call on 0333 600 6260 or click here to email Felicity, our sales manager.
