One of our most specialized and also most widely applicable container mods is our shipping container insulation options. These are ideal especially for the unpredictable and sometimes rapidly changing Canadian climate. Most commonly, we recommend some form of insulation for our customers who use shipping containers to store materials sensitive to weather changes like wooden furniture and some perishable food items.
We classify insulation options by looking at the different r factors of the materials we use. The r factor measures the resistance of a material to heat, meaning that materials with higher r values can survive higher temperatures more easily. In most cases, a resident in Vancouver will be able to use a form of insulation with a lower r value than someone in Northern Quebec, but it all depends on the purpose of the container.
Choosing what to insulate a container with depends also on what the container is being used for: is the container being used to shelter humans or is it needed to store products and materials? A basic insulation option for furniture and other materials can be styrofoam insulation with a finishing panel. This is simple, effective and affordable. The finishing surfaces we offer vary significantly and range from plywood that is affordable to custom designs and finishes that carry a larger cost.
The most popular insulation option that our customers choose is polyurethane insulation. Polyurethane has a higher r value than styrofoam but is still affordable. When we apply the polyurethane, we can adjust the thickness of the spray to make it more resistant to heat. One huge advantage of polyurethane insulation is that we can spray it under the floor of the container to insulate the container to prevent heat entering or escaping through under the floor.
The most advanced form of shipping container insulation is our reefer storage containers. These containers are food grade units that have a functioning heating and cooling system able to regulate temperatures usually between -25 and 25 Celsius. This is the most costly form of insulation, but it’s also the most effective. It doesn’t requite much modification and used reefer containers are available in 20ft and 40ft sizes.
Most used and all new shipping containers are wind and water tight, meaning that they don’t allow wind and water to damage the materials inside the container, but this also leads to stale air inside. Vents help prevent the air inside to become stale and insulation helps regulate weather changes. With these two mods, you’re sure to increase the protection of your new storage system!