How to Choose the Perfect Sized Shipping Container in Melbourne

How to Choose the Perfect Sized Shipping Container in Melbourne

Everyone’s needs are different. When you are moving houses, maybe you only want to store the furniture in your bedroom. Or, you want to store a whole house worth of things.

So, knowing the perfect size for your shipping container is crucial. In this article, we will explain to you what the standard size of a shipping container is in Melbourne. Then, we are going to help you determine how many things you can put inside a shipping container.

Let’s dive in!

Know The Sizes: Standard Shipping Container Sizes

There are a lot of storage companies in Melbourne. When choosing a storage company, make sure you choose a company that offers a range of sizes.

There’s no one size fits all. You will either have too much space, or too little space and you have to rent more containers. This is not efficient and you will lose money. Therefore, choose a company that offers small, medium, and large containers.

So, what are the standard sizes offered in the industry?

6ft Containers: Just Right for 2 Standard Bedrooms

6ft Containers

The smallest of shipping containers, a 6ft container is just enough to store a two-bedroom worth of furniture. With a capacity of 10 cubic metres, the dimensions of a 6ft container are;

  • Length: 2.4 metres
  • Width: 1.8 metres
  • Height: 2.6 metres

If you are moving from a two-bedroom apartment, this container size is the perfect size for all your needs.

8ft Containers: A Bit Bigger to Fit 2 Standard Bedrooms and More Furniture

If the 6ft container is too small for you, try the 8ft container! The 8ft container can hold more than just the furniture in your bedrooms. With 11.5 cubic metres of space, 8ft containers have the dimensions of;

  • Length: 2.3 metres
  • Width: 2.1 metres
  • Height: 2.4 metres

Need to put a small coffee table alongside your bedroom furniture? The 8ft containers can fit them easily.

10ft Container: Approximately 3 Bedrooms Worth of Furniture

Moving from a three-bedroom house? Then, this is your perfect solution because it has the capacity of 16-19 cubic metres. The dimensions are;

  • Length: 3 metres
  • Width: 2.4 metres
  • Height: 2.6 metres

This size is probably perfect for people with 2 bedrooms and wants to fit any other furniture as well.

20ft Container: Bigger and Better for Your Whole House

The 20ft container is far bigger than the 10ft container. That’s why, this container with the capacity of 33-38 cubic metres can fit almost all of the furniture from a 3-4 bedroom house.

Let’s see the dimensions;

  • Length: 6 metres
  • Width: 2.4 metres
  • Height: 2.6 metres

If you want all your furniture shipped at once without going back and forth, this is the right size for you.

30ft Container: Fit Your Whole House, But Access Can be Tricky

This shipping container is huge. The 30ft container can fit your whole house worth of furniture or maybe more. With the capacity of 49.8 cubic metres, you can fit almost anything. The dimensions are;

  • Length: 30 ft
  • Width: 7.99 ft
  • Height: 9.48 ft

However, this container is a bit harder to manoeuvre, especially in residential areas. So, if you decide to use the 30ft container, make sure that the company has access to deliver the container to you.

40ft Container: Largest Size on the Market

This container is the largest container on the market and it can fit more than your whole house. However, the 40ft container cost higher than the other containers and is bulky to use.

The capacity of this container is 74.8 cubic metres. It is really huge, and the dimensions are;

  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 7.99 ft
  • Height: 9.48 ft

If you don’t need a container this big, you can choose a 20ft container that works just as well and fits almost as much.

But, How Many Cubic Metres Do I Need?

Now that you know the sizes of the containers and a gist on how much they can fit, you want to know exactly how much cubic metres you need.

So, how to calculate the cubic metres you need?

The easiest way is to calculate the cubic metres of your belongings. Take your tape measure, preferably in metres, and measure the length, width, and height of your furniture.

Then, use the formula Length x Width x Height (L x W x H). Then, you get the cubic metres of the item. Moreover, remember to convert other units to metres before calculating.

For example, if you have a box with a width of 50cm. Convert the width into 0.50 metres. That way, you can calculate it correctly.

Tips: Consider These Factors Before Choosing Your Container

Source: outdoortroop.com

The last step before choosing your container is to consider these important factors, which are;

●  The Portability

Do you need the container shipped to you? Most likely the answer is yes. Well, there are many residential areas in Melbourne that are harder to access by large trucks. Therefore, keep in mind to choose a container that has a high portability.

The perfect container sizes would be 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, and 20ft.

●  Security

Ask your company about the security of the container. Is it made of wood or steel? If it is made of steel, it is usually stronger and harder to penetrate than the wooden one.

Moreover, steel containers are sturdier in general and can withstand breaking attempts better.

●  Weather, Dust, and Water Resistant

Lastly, ask your company whether their containers are weather, dust, and water resistant. After you store your belongings, you don’t want them to come back dusty and damaged, right?

Hence, make sure that they can guarantee that their containers are resistant to those. Also, don’t forget to ask them if they store it indoors or outdoors. Containers that are stored indoors are usually not weatherproof.

Conclusion

After reading this, are you more confident to choose your shipping container? Keep in mind, there are standard sizes on the market and don’t settle for a company that doesn’t offer at least these standard sizes.

Moreover, remember to calculate how many cubic metres you need. That way, you won’t waste money on renting a too big or too small container.

Lastly, consider the three important factors before you choose your container. They are there to ensure that you get your money’s worth.