10ft, 20ft or 40ft storage containers: What size is best?

Whether you need it for your business, a personal project, or a construction site, choosing the right size storage container is wise practice when hiring out space. 

That’s because the size you choose affects everything from how much it costs to how easy it is to move around, not to mention how efficient your whole project will be. If you get it wrong, you could end up paying for space you don’t use or, worse, not having enough room for all your possessions, which is a problem you definitely want to avoid.

At TEU, we are proud to help clients choose the correct size storage container needed. Let’s explore some suggestions recommended by our time:

Why Size Matters When Choosing A Storage Container

First, you have to know the rationale behind our recommendations. Clearly, the most important effect of different-sized containers is that they directly affect the amount of storage you can fit inside. You should consider your storage needs very carefully so you don’t get stuck with a container that's too small for what you have to store. Our team can always adapt your booking, but remember that availability may not be immediate in such circumstances.

This decision also matters when planning the space you have available to place the container, especially if you have a tight spot on a residential or commercial property. A small space can't handle or allow access to a huge container.

The size also has a big impact on the cost of the container, whether you’re buying it or just renting it for a short time. You can likely guess that a bigger container will cost more, but the price difference can be significant, so you want to be smart about your budget and choose a size that makes the most sense for your project. There’s no need to pay for empty room.

Finally, the size also dictates what kind of transportation and delivery you'll need. A huge container is going to require a special truck and plenty of room to manoeuvre, while a smaller one can be delivered with a regular flatbed and is much easier to place.

The 10ft Storage Container

The 10ft storage container is a good option for those who have smaller storage needs or are working with limited space. A typical 10ft container measures about 10 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet tall, which gives you about 600 cubic feet of storage space. This size is perfect for items like furniture from a one bedroom apartment, a small business with just a bit of inventory, or a work site that has very limited access.

The pros of a 10ft container are pretty clear, as they’re easy to transport and very affordable compared to the larger options. Their smaller size also makes them a great fit for tight spaces, like a residential driveway or a small construction site where a big truck can't get in. The biggest limitation of a 10ft container is its limited capacity, and it's definitely not going to work for someone who needs to store a lot of stuff or has a big project planned. It’s really best for small, temporary needs where convenience and affordability are the most important things.

The 20ft Storage Container

The 20ft storage container is one of the most popular sizes because it strikes a good balance between capacity and flexibility and should account for most situations.  A typical 20ft container measures about 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet tall, which gives you roughly 1,200 cubic feet of storage space. 

This size is very versatile and can be used for plans such as general business storage, a building site with a fair amount of equipment, or a medium-sized business that needs to store a lot of inventory year-round.

The pros of a 20ft container are that they’re widely available and are an extremely cost-effective option for the amount of space you get. They’re also a good balance of size and flexibility.. The main limitation is that they can be a bit too large for seasonal residential use outside of moving needs, and they might be too small for very large-scale operations.

Still, it’s a great option for a business that needs a lot of space but doesn’t have the budget or a location for a huge container.

The 40ft Storage Container

The 40ft storage container is the largest of the three most common sizes and is meant for those with the most intensive storage needs. A typical 40ft container measures about 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet tall, which gives you roughly 2,400 cubic feet of storage space. This size is best for businesses that need bulk storage, or for someone who needs to store much of a household’s items for some time. It’s also good option for an industrial or commercial business that boasts heavy inventory or a very large amount of equipment.

The main benefit of a 40ft container is that it gives you the most space for your money. When you look at the cost per square foot, a 40ft container is often the most cost-effective option for a large project. The main limitations are that it requires a very significant amount of site space and proper access for delivery. You can’t just put one of these in a residential driveway, and if shipping overseas the weight cost can be higher. You have to make sure you have enough room for the container to be placed and enough room for a huge truck to manage.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily find the storage truck you need. Please contact us today for any questions or concerns.