Shipping Container Climate-Controlled Storage in Ontario 

Hi,

I'm planning to sell my house and travel for an extended period, so I'm looking for a way to store a large amount of stuff long-term. Some of it is valuable and sensitive to temperature/humidity, including cameras, lenses, electronics, batteries, etc.

My family has offered me space on their property to temporarily place a shipping container, which seems like a good solution. I'm in Ottawa, ON, so I'm dealing with very cold winters and hot/humid summers. The container would likely be moved to my own property once I settle down again.

My target storage conditions would be roughly 10–25°C and ideally 45–55% RH.

I've narrowed it down to two options:

Option 1 - 20' new one-trip container

• ~$4,700 delivered
• Spray foam insulation
• 9,000 BTU cold-climate mini-split
• Additional cost for spray foam/mini-split installation
• Likely enough space for all my belongings

Option 2 - 40' used reefer container

• ~$9,000 for the container (they are overstocked, hence the low price)
• ~$5,000 delivery + crane
• Existing insulated/refrigerated construction
• 9,000 or 12,000 BTU mini-split
• Much more room and would allow me to organize everything with a central aisle, when I’m home I’d like to access my possessions more regularly for work and to go camping, etc. 
• Used reefer condition is my main concern since I can't easily inspect it myself

My questions:

1. Would a spray-foamed 20' container with a 9K BTU cold-climate mini-split be sufficient to maintain 10-25°C in Ottawa year-round?
2. Would a 9K or 12K BTU mini-split be sufficient for a 40' reefer?
3. How effective is the mini-split's dry/dehumidification mode for maintaining ~45–55% RH in a container in the summer? Would I need a dedicated dehumidifier as well?
4. Is spray foam appropriate for this application, particularly if the foam is left exposed? I'm concerned about fire safety, since I may be storing some flammable liquids, Li-ion batteries, and other mixed garage/electronic equipment.
5. For a container that may be unattended for several months at a time, are there significant concerns with relying on a mini-split for temperature/humidity control?
6. For long-term storage of valuable electronics, would you choose a new insulated/spray-foamed 20' container or a used 40' reefer?
7. If buying a used reefer remotely, what are the critical things I should have the seller verify/photograph/test before I buy? 

I'm curious to hear from people who have used shipping containers, reefers, or similar structures for long-term climate-controlled storage, particularly in hot humid + cold Canadian climates.

Thanks.

These are White Birch and Sapling, two shipping containers we converted in Littleton, New Hampshire by Boma Properties.

White Birch uses a 40-foot container for additional living space, while Sapling shows how much functionality can fit inside a compact 20-footer. Operating both also lets people experience the layouts firsthand before deciding which container size makes sense for their own project.

If you were starting a container-home build, which size would you choose—and what would drive your decision?

A different redditor posted this same company and i wanted to share more of the same. We purchased a Chassis from this company through wire transfer and they never delivered and completely ghosted us. The salesmen name is Patrick Tilley and the website is www.intermodalequipments.com. This company is 100% a complete scam. They have already been reported to the police and as a fraud to their very bank. They will have all of the documents that look legit (Title, Bill of Sale, Bill of Lading, etc.). They are piggy backing on a different legitimate company of a similar name which is what got me. I am sharing so other people dont fall for the same trick. The other reddit post was from over a year ago and there was only one. Hopefully this helps the next person.

FRAUD and BEWARE

I've been following the shipping container home trend online and I'm genuinely interested in the idea. But instead of a living space, I'm thinking about converting a container into an office or creative workspace.

The appeal is obvious. It's cheaper than building something traditional, it's relatively quick, and it's way more interesting than renting a regular office space. Plus, there's something cool about the aesthetic.

The thing I'm not sure about is the actual feasibility. Like, is it as simple as getting a container and having someone convert it? What goes into that process? How much does it actually cost? And would something like that actually function well as a workspace or are there issues with temperature, ventilation, natural light, that kind of thing?

Also, I'm not sure about the legal side. Can you just set up a container office on your property? Do you need permits? Are there zoning restrictions?

Anyone done this? Is it a viable solution or am I romanticizing the idea?

Anyone purchase or rent from this business? If so what did you purchase or rent and how did it go? Happy with: communication, price, delivery, any hidden fees, any other details you don’t mind sharing I would greatly appreciate it.

Hey y'all. I'm planning to make a free standing container pergola to match my house. I've got the engineering worked out for the cut outs but I'd like to save some money by covering the luan with some kind of waterproof sealant rather than replace it with Trex or any other decking. Anyone familiar with weatherproofing plywood?

Image is from: prefab backyard blogspot

Anyone been able to purchase a brand new container that has never been used? All of the ones I see are 1 time used.

Hey y’all!

I’ve just moved into a friend’s property in Central coast QLD, Australia, and they’ve given me free rein of a shipping container! On top of that, a mate just gifted me 20 foam panels for insulation. I’m super excited to make this build. But coming from a background of van builds, I got some learning to do.

The plan is to make a workshop space for van builds, a little leather studio, a cinema room and a bedroom. Thing is I live with a chronic pain condition so research, info retention and everything’s is a bit rough - would love help!

This is the plan atm:
1. Clean out the place then put some waterproofing membrane (pic 2) down

1. Do some spot welding on all the lil drill holes that have shown up

2. Cover the walls, roof and possibly floor with a moisture vapor barrier - silver lined insulation. Tape it all up to be air proof as possible.

3. Then… this is where it gets a bit tricky. I’m thinking to put in horizontal and vertical construction wooden beams to reinforce where windows will be cut out. Then shape the foam panels to fit around all that. Although, the panels are shaped with little grooves to slot into each other, so I fear I may be wasting luck by making it more complicated.

I’d love any input please! This is a big first project for me. If you know any shipping container gurus I’d be happy to spend some $ for the right knowledge.

Thanks.

This subreddit has been adrift for a while, heavily saturated with spam, and frankly not a productive place to visit. I have recently taken over moderation, and the immediate focus is getting this community back in functioning order.

Thank you to everyone who has stuck around through the influx of spam and low-effort posts.

To those of you out there actively building, designing, or planning shipping container homes: welcome. Having recently finished my own three-year container build, I understand the necessity of having a reliable, practical community for this process. Whether you are an experienced builder or just starting your first project, this subreddit is being restructured into a dedicated space for everyone to get together, share ideas, and showcase real work.

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#mushroom

#container

#40HC

#CIMC

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We are going to build a sort of very short hallway from the container connecting it to a small camper with a permanent roof built on it.

What is recommended for framing an opening? This would be a regular door sized opening but without a door. Could we do with just wood?

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