Storage containers as a whole are an industry standard, majority of the time you know what you are getting before you have even seen it. They do their job, and they do it well. The drawback to shipping containers are their size and ability to be moved, or lack there of. Once a container is placed, you may require mechanical assistance to have it moved to a new site, something which may not be feasible for many reasons.
In an effort to give our customers as varied a selection as possible we have recently taken in a range of Flat Pack Storage Containers - these units aim to fill a gap in the market for those looking for a storage solution that isn't your traditional container.
Before we start, it is worth mentioning that this review/guide is non-biased, while we are selling this product, the aim of this is not to persuade but to give a fair review as to what to expect when purchasing one of these units.
First Impressions
For clarity, the specific unit I will be talking about here is the 2m Flat Pack Galvanised Store, while these do come in other sizes/finishes etc, the construction of these units are all very similar.
When I first heard we were taking in 'Flat Packed Storage Containers' my first thoughts jumped to cheap and cheerful. To me the word 'flat pack' is synonymous with a certain Swedish furniture company and their ability to make customer friendly, easy to build kits. While none of this is bad, it doesn't instantly scream 'Safe and Secure', the qualities you would be looking for from a storage container.
However upon seeing the units built and having a chance to get in about them, I was pleasantly surprised. The doors are held on by what I would call 'industrial' grade hinges and can also be locked by a dual locking system, one on the bottom and top side of the door for extra security.
A Closer Look at the Flat Pack Container
The unit consists of six panels - four walls, one roof and the base panel.
For building, each panel is slotted together in the traditional flat pack way and bound with nuts and bolts. The walls and roof are built from heavy duty
galvanised steel, while the internal floor is made from OSB Board.
Prior to building, the unit feels heavy enough that it could be possibly be handled by a single person, ideally though, having a second body there to take some of the weight would be advised. The unit we had was built by one of our onsite joiners, it took him roughly two hours to put together without any prior knowledge. While this won't be the same for everyone it can give a decent indicator into the time you should allow if you are building these yourself.
Once the unit is together you get to see the nuances of the container, small details that could be passed off as nothing more than little characteristics turn out to be intentionally placed features. The most noticeable to me being the drainage on the corners of the roof - a section that looks to be just unintentional gaps left by the slotting of the panels, is in fact an intentional space left to allow rainwater to drain out - neat.
Another example of these intentional design choices are on the inside of the container. If you look down the sides of the wall panels you will notice tiny gaps where the panels meet the roof and base. At first glance I thought this was just sloppy design, a bit of wind and rain and the inside would be soaked, right? These gaps are in fact left to allow ventilation - the outside of the wall panel has been fitted with a plastic edging to stop water from getting in. While not a full proof idea, it certainly shows that the design was well thought out.
Other noticeable features that could be overlooked -
Lifting eyes on the roof to allow for extra maneuverability.
Slots on the inside walls to allow for shelving to be fitted.
The units can be expanded upon, combining two or more to create a much larger unit.
Without long term use and the hustle and bustle of yard works, it is hard to say just how well these units will withstand the abuse they are required to take. From an initial standpoint however, they are far more impressive than what I would have first thought which in turn gives me confidence that they could do the job they were built to do.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Easy setup, can be put together by one person.
Maneuverable, can be lifted between jobs or taken down and rebuilt where needed.
Multiple sizes available, can also be expanded.
Slots for shelving if needed.
Easily maintained.
Cheaper than a traditional shed.
Cons:
Not 100% wind & water tight - gaps left to allow air flow.
Weight limit of 1000kg spread evenly across the floor.
Lighter than a standard container.
Held together by nuts and bolts, less secure than a standard shipping container.
May need painted for added protection.
Final Thoughts
If you have the space with the ability to lift and maneuver a standard container, I would argue that is always going to be your number one option for secure storage.
That being said, the flat pack storage containers offer a very solid alternative. The positives for these units far outweigh the negatives, and while it may not be the solution for everyone, it certainly has a place in the market, whether it's as a garden shed or heavy tool store on a site.
This short review should hopefully answer some questions you may have had prior to reading. As stated previously, this wasn't written with the intention of selling you the product but more to inform you on it - if however you are interested in learning more about these units I will link to our product page here where you can find data sheets and costs.
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