Question: What type of structure can offer quick and reliable storage, is able to move and relocate to any location, and can be transformed into a place of residence or business? The answer, of course, is a portable storage container. Haven't been acquainted with one yet? Below lies everything you need to know about what a portable storage container can offer you; you may be surprised at the many features and benefits they exhibit.

What is a Portable Storage Container?

Although the use of containers have been around since the late 1700s, it wasn't until the 20^th century that we began to see an international standardization of what a storage container is. Early on, these containers were used for making shipments easier on trains, boats and trucks, and were a remarkable invention at the time. In regards to portable storage containers, there are three common standard lengths, set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They are 10', 20' and 40'.

Thinking of storage containers may conjure up images of freighter boats carting large metal boxes across the sea. True, the basic shape of a portable storage container complies to this image, but they can also offer so much more. A portable storage container can be fitted with doors, windows, ventilation, air conditioning and heating (HVAC), refrigeration, electrical outlets, and even custom flooring and wall coverings. Most portable storage containers are available for purchase or lease, both short term and long term, and can be ordered and delivered with great ease.

What Can a Portable Storage Container Offer Me?

Obviously, a portable storage container's main function is to store your belongings. Although this application is no different than any other storage option, a portable storage container can offer something that no other storage option can: portability. Imagine the many advantages to having your storage items accessible anywhere you need them to be. Frustrated with the hassle of taking your belongings to and from a storage site miles away from your home? Bring the storage container to you! Tired of hauling your dirt bike to and from its playground? Store it on site! Have an overload of construction gear that's impossible to take away from the work site every day? Take advantage of a portable storage container! But portable storage containers aren't only used for dry and safe storage. Their strength and versatility makes them perfect for refrigerated storage, as well as hazardous material storage. The advantages keep coming with portable storage containers, and if you choose to utilize one, you'll wonder why you haven't sooner.

Yet portable storage containers can be used for so much more than just storage. Today, these containers are being used for all sorts of applications. Would you believe portable storage containers can be transformed into mobile offices? It's true! As mentioned above, installing custom flooring, windows, doors and HVAC systems is an easy task, transforming your metal bin into a full-out office. Not only is this a cheaper option to building a permanent structure, but because it's portable, your office can be used to serve temporary means then returned to the dealer, or used in multiple locations with great ease. Portable storage containers are also great for the use of mobile labs. This is especially useful when a fixed lab or infrastructure is not available, as they can be shipped worldwide with no problems. Portable storage containers can be configured as a single standalone lab, or combined and stacked for expanded lab space.

There's more. Because of their versatile design, portable storage containers can also be used for modern housing. Once again, this is a cheaper option to building a permanent home, even though they can be designed to look and feel like one. Because of the speed at which they can be built and delivered, and because of the ease and which they can relocate, portable storage containers are perfect for the use of temporary disaster relief housing. And, because they make use of off-site construction, portable storage containers can be classified as a green structure, as defined by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This is because, as opposed to on-site construction, off-site construction means no ground erosion or site disturbance, as well as less dust and pollutants in the air. So not only are portable storage containers saving lives by housing disaster victims, but also saving the environment as well.

Portable Storage Containers Working For You

Truly, portable storage containers have much more to offer than first meets the eye. Yes they can safely and securely store your belongings, but they can do so much more. Transform them into an office, build a portable laboratory, redesign the interiors for a more modern look, and feel the savings in your pockets. Portable storage containers are green, efficient, and because they can offer all of this and more, it's no wonder they are quickly becoming a standard alternative to all sorts of applications. Sound too good to be true? It isn't! With portable storage containers, all of this is possible.