Which is the best option for storing inventory, valuable equipment, or old junk? This is an age-old question that has been debated among home and business owners alike. Choosing the right storage method for you can be a challenge, and there are a number of factors you should think about.
When deciding between a storage container and a shed, you need to consider your specific situation. Storage containers can provide offsite storage, climate control, and large storage capacity, while sheds are convenient for their customizability and ability to increase property value.
This article will break down a few advantages and disadvantages of renting a storage container versus building a shed on your property. It will also address some general factors to take into account when choosing the best option for you. At the end of this discussion, you will have enough guidance to make an informed decision between the two alternatives.
Storage Container: Pros and Cons
Pros
Durability
Many storage containers are made from weathering steel, which means they can withstand rain, hail, strong winds, and even seawater. They can also be left sitting for a long time without starting to rust.
Climate Control Capabilities
Items such as wooden furniture, clothing, and photographs can deteriorate over time, especially in extremely warm or wet climates. Therefore, it is wise to place these things in an environment that allows for climate control. Many storage containers provide these features and will protect your belongings from mold and mildew that can form during long periods of storage.
Ease of Transportation
Your storage items can be picked up and deposited in the desired location, container, and all. Their shape and build also allow them to sit firmly on pretty much any foundation – trucks, ships, railway cars, grass, gravel, etc.
Cons
Expensive Over Time
Let’s say that you decide to build a shed yourself, and purchase all the materials needed to assemble one for $1,000. While that may seem like a colossal lump sum to pay, you can easily end up paying the same amount in less than a year if you rent a storage container for $100 a month. Also, while they are relatively easy to transport, the cost of delivery and pick up can be very steep.
Lastly, a lot of people don’t realize the psychological impact of being able to store items at an out-of-sight location. The “out of sight out of mind” convenience causes many people to buy a lot more stuff than they need, safe in the knowledge that they can always “put it in storage” if they run out of room.
All of this can lead to thousands of dollars wasted over time.
Difficult to Access
Many residential areas may not permit you to keep a large storage container on your property. A storage facility often has limited operational hours, which means that you may not have access to your items as frequently as you would prefer.
Shed: Pros and Cons
Pros
Relativity Simple to Build
Basic sheds are not difficult to build. Simple sheds are available in kit form, which can be purchased at your local hardware store and assembled in a matter of days.
Greater Customizability
Storage containers come in a variety of sizes, but they are generally shaped like a cube or a rectangular prism. If you build your own shed, you can make it whatever shape will best suit your needs.
Permanent Sheds Can Increase Your Property Value
Extra storage capacity is often very attractive to prospective buyers, so building a well-designed shed in your backyard can add significant value to your property.
Cons
Difficult to Transport
If you need to move or transport your shed to another place, it can be quite an undertaking to deconstruct your shed and reassemble it at the new location.
Can Be Challenging to Design Well
As mentioned earlier, you do not need to be a master carpenter to build a simple shed. However, if you’re a beginner, you may not have the skills necessary to create a strong structure that has the capacity to store your items safely and prevent them from deteriorating due to harsh climate conditions. If so, you need to hire a contractor who knows that they are doing, and this can be expensive.
General Factors to Consider
If you are still having trouble deciding which storage method has superior advantages to the other, below are the general decision factors to contemplate:
Financial Circumstances/Costs
When people think about storage, the first thing that often comes to mind is cost. If you are unable to build a shed yourself, you need to consider hiring a professional builder. However, since it is paid for upfront, it may still be less expensive than a storage container rented over a long period of time.
On the other hand, if you just want to store things for a few months, a storage container is likely more economical.
Your Living Circumstances
Are you a homeowner, or is your house rented? Your situation will determine a lot of what you are permitted to do on your property. For example, most landlords will not allow you to build permanent structures like sheds on your yard. In that case, a storage container is the most viable option.
Storage Capacity Needed
There is no specific guidance that dictates how large a shed is allowed to be. However, unless you are in the position to build a shed that is the size of a small house, a storage container will typically provide you with greater storage capacity than a regular garden shed. The most common ISO (or International Organization for Standardization) containers come in two lengths: 20 feet (6.1 meters) and 40 feet (12.2 meters).
Level of Access Needed
The fact that you are putting some items in storage would indicate that you don’t intend to touch them for some time. However, if there is a chance that you will need or want to access your stuff frequently, it’s probably best to choose a storage method that is near where you live. In that case, it would be ideal to have a shed right on your property.
Level of Security Needed
If you rent a storage container, even though you will not be around to keep a close eye on your items, they can still provide a lot more security. While most sheds are made out of wood, thin sheet metal, or other materials that can be forced open, storage containers are made out of steel. Their security is also reinforced with inner bolts, crossbar locks, and heavy-duty padlocks.
On the other hand, you can equip your shed with alarm systems, security cameras, and perimeter fences; it all depends on what puts you at ease.
Length of the Storage Period
One major benefit of renting a storage container is that you can move freely without having to worry about transporting your belongings as well. This is unlike having a shed, where even if you only move a few blocks within your neighborhood, you must either dispose of your items or move them with you.
Conclusion
If you want to be able to store a large quantity of items without having to worry about maintenance, a storage container is a good choice. However, consider that it may cost you more in the long run. A shed is a perfect option if you want to be able to customize the size and shape of your storage unit and keep a closer eye on your belongings.
One storage system is not superior to the other; it all depends on your particular circumstances and long term needs.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.