Yes, they do. A shipping container is a large metal box, and metal absorbs heat quickly. When left in the sun in Australia during the summer season, the temperature inside the box will rise, usually exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
When storing your belongings in a container, it will be helpful to understand why this occurs and what steps you can take to prevent this phenomenon.
Reasons why shipping containers get so hot
Metal is a good conductor of heat. When the sun rays hit the roof and walls of a shipping container, all the heat is instantly absorbed. Furthermore, a shipping container is not equipped with windows; hence, there will be a poor ventilation system. It is similar to when a car gets extremely warm when left in the sun with all the windows closed.
The color of a shipping container plays an important role in this process.
What heat can do to your stuff
Many products cannot withstand heat. Paints, cylinders of gases, electronics, wooden furniture, and food products can all be affected. Wood gets bent and cracked. Plastic gets softer. Medicine and chemicals become unstable.
There is also another problem – in the cool night air, the warm air becomes condensation on the ceiling and the walls of the containers, causing corrosion and mold.
Simple ways to keep a container cool
This does not have to cost a lot of money. Some very simple actions will help.
- The roof and the sides of the container should be painted white or in light colors.
- Keep it in the shadow, behind the tree or a building, if possible.
- Set roof vents for the heated air to escape.
- Keep some space between the cargo and the walls to let the air flow.
- Make a shading roof over the container.
Pick the right type of container
Some containers handle heat better than others, so it pays to choose the right one from the start.
If you store things that hate heat, insulated shipping containers are a smart pick. They have insulation in the walls and roof, which slows down the heat getting in. They are also good at cutting down condensation.
Need proper cold storage? Reefer containers come with a cooling unit that holds a set temperature. They suit food, flowers and medicine, and you can set them anywhere from freezing to chilled.
If you just want more room for air to move, high cube containers are about one foot taller than a normal box. That extra space above your goods helps the heat spread out a little, and it is handy for tall items too.
Only need it for a short time?
You do not have to buy. With container hire, you can rent the type you need for a few weeks or months. That works well if you need a cool box for a summer job or an event, and you can hand it back when you are done.
Ready to buy?
If you want a container for the long term, have a look at our shipping containers for sale. Tiger has been in the container business for over 30 years. We have depots around Australia, so delivery is quick and easy.
Not sure which one suits you? Give our team a call on 1800 072 039. Tell us what you plan to store, and we will point you to the right box.
