3 Ways to Keep Your Shipping Container Cool During the Warmer Months

You can likely recall a time when you had to leave your car exposed to the hot sun in the middle of the summer, even for just an hour or two. The sensation of stepping into an oven as you returned to your vehicle is not easy to forget.

There is no denying the power of the sun’s heat during the warmer summer months when it has reached its peak. During this time of year, anything exposed to its rays is bound to heat up to extreme temperatures, especially things made of steel, like your shipping container.

While you may spend a lot less time hanging out in your shipping container during the summer than you do in your car, that does not mean you should ignore the searing heat that is bound to affect it this June, July, and August. Those extreme temperatures have some noteworthy implications.

Shipping containers in Toronto are quite versatile when it comes to storage needs, and the list of things that are possible to store in them for your convenience is seemingly endless. However, depending on what you decide to store, the temperature may be a factor that you want to keep an eye on.

Scorching hot weather has the potential to heat your shipping container so much that it actually damages your belongings. The last thing you want is to come back to your storage container to retrieve something, only to find it melted, warped, or distorted.

To avoid facing any major costs and inconveniences, it is crucial to look into the necessary measures for managing the heat inside of your shipping container throughout the summer.

Best Strategies for Heat Management Inside a Shipping Container

Although it is scary to even think of the damage the summer sun’s heat can do to your valued belongings, you will not have to worry about this issue if you take proper steps to prepare your container in advance.

Fortunately, there are various steps that you can take to ensure that your container is well-equipped to manage the heat. Doing so will both protect its contents and make it significantly more manageable to be inside when necessary during this time of the year.

1. Place the container in a shady spot with good airflow

One of the most essential factors in determining how hot your sea container in Toronto is likely to get during the summer months is its placement, as putting it away from direct sunlight as much as possible is key to keeping it cooler.

If possible, place your shipping container in an area with adequate shade to avoid dealing with any overheating. In addition, it is important to pay careful attention to the way you place the container in order to maximize air circulation.

One method for improving airflow involves placing your shipping container on top of gravel, or on a sturdy raised foundation, while leaving some space around its perimeter.

You could also make use of four pressure-treated corner blocks that are about six inches in height to help lift your container off the ground. This will result in enhanced airflow while reducing the accumulation of water under the container.

2. Maintain your container’s doors

Since you must open your shipping container’s door regularly, it is natural that various elements, such as the door’s seals and hinges, will eventually endure some wear and tear over time.

However, once such wearing starts to occur, it can compromise the integrity of the container’s protection against outside elements. During the summer months, this could mean allowing additional heat to seep in.

That is why it is especially important to regularly maintain the various elements of your container’s doors throughout the year, and to specifically check on their condition in advance of the summer months. This way, you can do whatever must be done to ensure their condition before the temperatures rise.

To best maintain your shipping container’s doors, there are a few things that you should pay particular attention to. These include cleaning rust from the door hinges, inspecting the door seals to check if they are intact, and examining the door’s rubber gasket seals, hinges, and latches, and spraying them regularly with lubricants.

3. Install vents for cross ventilation

One of the best ways to ensure a steady airflow is created within your shipping container is by installing a vent at each end to promote cross ventilation. This method of ventilation helps prevent heat buildup by drawing cool air into the container while pushing hot air out. This can be achieved with a number of different types of vents.

Louver vents tend to be one of the most expensive vent options for shipping containers. However, since they are adjustable, you can alter the amount of airflow going into and out of your container as necessary.

On the other hand, as their name suggests, fixed vents cannot be moved or adjusted. Rooftop turbines, which are placed on the roof of the unit, are another viable option as well.

How Sigma Container Can Help You Find a Hot Deal for a Shipping Container to Keep Cool This Summer

If you have storage needs, a shipping container is one of the best possible solutions to leverage. Fortunately, Sigma Container is an excellent source for a new or used shipping container in Ontario.

Regardless of your storage needs, we are confident that we have just the right containers for you, as we carry units in a wide variety of types, sizes, and conditions. All of our shipping containers and storage containers in Toronto come covered with a 1-year warranty for your reassurance, and they are guaranteed to be wind and water-tight with working doors and seals and solid floorboards.

If you are uncertain about the type or size of container that will best suit your requirements, someone from our team of shipping container experts would be happy to guide you in the right direction.

Whether you need a temporary or a long-term solution, we have you covered, as we have containers available for sale as well as flexible rental options.

For more information about how we can help you get your hands on a shipping container in Ontario, or to learn more about the differences between our new and used container options, call Sigma Container Corporation at 855-340-3342 or contact us here.