20ft USED Containers FOR SALE OR HIRE
20ft used containers are the most popular and cost-effective shipping container available in the UK. Offering excellent value for money, it’s the ideal solution for secure storage across domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Measuring 20ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in high, a used 20ft container has a footprint similar to a single car garage but provides a surprising amount of internal storage space.
Call us today on 0330 321 3380 or complete our Quick Quote form for a 20ft used container quotation including delivery. Alternatively, get to know us first by reading our reviews or touring our head office container depot.
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20ft USED Containers FOR SALE OR HIRE
The 20ft used container is the most popular and cost-effective shipping container available in the UK. Offering excellent value for money, it’s the ideal solution for secure storage across domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
Measuring 20ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in high, a used 20ft container has a footprint similar to a single car garage but provides a surprising amount of internal storage space. Internal dimensions are approximately 19ft 4.2in long x 7ft 8.3in wide x 7ft 10.2in high, making it suitable for storing everything from household goods and business stock to tools, machinery and building materials.
What Colours Are Used 20ft Containers Available In?
Used 20ft containers vary in colour depending on the shipping line they originally belonged to. The most common colours are brown (red oxide), blue and grey. Customers often ask for green containers too, although these are much less common and are not always available.
Standard Features
Every used 20ft container is built from durable CORTEN steel and comes fitted with:
- Durable marine plywood flooring
- Heavy-duty cargo doors
- Fully operational locking gear
- 2-4 ventilation points
- Wind and watertight construction
- Forklift pockets (where applicable)
It is certainly worth remembering that used 20ft containers are around 15 years old and during that time have sailed the high seas, they have been loaded and off-loaded from vehicles, trains and vessels and moved with heavy machinery and cranes port side, all whilst being loaded with tonnes and tonnes of equipment of all shapes and sizes. The containers will always have dents as a result and will not be as easy on the eye of their new / one trip counter parts! That said, we expect them to last you another 10 – 15 years or so and provide dry and secure storage.
Rust on Used Shipping Containers
One of the questions we’re asked most often is whether we can supply a rust-free used 20ft container. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible. Shipping containers are manufactured from CORTEN steel, a specially designed weathering steel that naturally forms a protective layer of surface rust. This patina actually helps protect the steel beneath, so seeing areas of surface rust is completely normal and not something to be concerned about. Throughout a container’s working life, it may also have been professionally repaired or patched where necessary. These repairs are part of a container’s history and are perfectly acceptable on a used container.
Common Uses for Used 20ft Containers
We supply 20ft used containers for a wide range of uses and types of customer. We supply them to councils and schools, industry, private individuals and cargo carriers. We have supplied them for general storage or for conversions into a wide range of applications such as laboratories, offices and leisure spaces. We regularly modify used 20ft containers by installing the following, but the list is endless:
- Roller shutter doors
- Personnel access doors
- Windows
- Insulation and lining
- Grafo-Therm anti-condensation coating
- A wide range of other bespoke modifications
Whether you need a simple storage container or a fully converted workspace, office or leisure unit, we can modify a used 20ft container to suit your requirements.
20FT USED CONTAINER DIMENSIONS
| DESCRIPTION | DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|
| Max.Gross Weight | 30480KG |
| Tare Weight | 2155KG / 4700lbs |
| Payload | 28325KG / 62500lbs |
| Cubic Capacity | 33.2 cu.m / 1170 cu.ft |
| External Length | 6058mm / 19' 10.5" |
| External Width | 2438mm / 8' |
| External Height | 2591mm / 8' 6" |
| Internal Length | 5898mm / 19' 4.2" |
| Internal Width | 2350mm / 7' 8.3" |
| Internal Height | 2390mm / 7' 10.2" |
| Door Opening Width | 2338mm / 7' 7.7" |
| Door Opening Height | 2280mm / 7' 5.8" |
| Forklift Pocket | Yes |
Sizes provided are nominal and vary slightly between manufacturers and specifications.
A wide variety of ‘special’ containers can also be provided, these include
Available in 20ft or 40ft lengths, these containers have full concertina doors to one 20ft side and to one 8ft end, they make loading large or awkward equipment very simple. These units are usually only available as new.
20ft Dual Side Loading Containers
Available in 20ft lengths, these rare containers have concertina doors to both 20ft sides and to one 8ft end! They are ideal base units for a conversion project, or for loading awkward equipment. These units are usually only available as new.
Available in 20ft and 40ft lengths, these units have an extra 1ft in height, therefore, as oppose to the usual 8ft 6ins external height of a standard shipping container, these units are 9ft 6ins externally. Whilst 20ft high cubes only tend to be available as new units, or as modified cut downs, 40ft high cubes are usually readily available as new or used units.
20ft Double Door or 20ft Tunnel Containers
Available in 20ft and 40ft lengths, these units have double cargo doors to both 8ft ends of the container, this makes loading and unloading the container very straight-forward as a forklift can unload/load from both ends without having to remove all of the equipment to get to the front of the container. These units are usually available as new, however, used modified units can be fabricated.
20ft High Cube Double Door or 20ft Tunnel Containers
Like a standard double door / tunnel container, these units have doors at both 8ft ends, however, they also provide an extra 1ft in height providing an external height dimension of 9ft 6ins. These units only tend to be available as new, unless modified.
Open top containers are available in 20ft and 40ft lengths and can be procured as new or used units. They were designed for extra large pieces of cargo that was simply too high or awkward for a standard container, these units do not have a roof, instead they are covered by a tarpaulin.
Remember that 3J Services can tailor your container so that it suits your container needs perfectly, we recommend a high security lockbox and padlock as standard, however, just let us know if any of these items may be useful:
- Container shelving
- Container loading ramp
- Paintwork – For aesthetics, protection or branding
- Grafo-Therm anti-condensation ceiling treatment
- Ply lining and insulation
- Lighting
- Electrics Pack – Including lighting, heating and power points
- Extra cargo doors
- Anti-vandal heavy duty personnel door
- Anti-vandal heavy duty window and shutters
We have 80+ combined years experience in the container industry, with a focus on excellent customer service. We have worked with our suppliers and hauliers for many years and they too understand the quality of service we expect.
Contact us today on 0330 321 3380 or complete our quick quote form for a competitive quotation.
Call: 0330 321 3380
- 80+ Yrs Combined Experience
- 5 Star Reviews
- Great Prices
- Nationwide Delivery
- Guaranteed Service
- Trustworthy & Safe
- Family Business
20FT CONTAINER CASE STUDIES & BLOG POSTS
