The My Storage Box Guide to Shipping Container Self Storage

Shipping Container Self Storage Solutions for Your Needs

Most of us don’t really give the composition of a storage unit much thought on a daily basis. It is a storage facility and that’s about it; it’s there for extra storage space, not for mulling over the materials and processes used in the process.

The self storage industry has exploded in recent years, and with demand comes a lot of new construction. Self storage facilities are made as fast and as cheap as possible, which isn’t altogether reassuring when you are putting your valuable stuff in self storage.

From our inception, My Storage Box has only used brand new shipping container self storage options, and we’re here to detail exactly why we do.

Benefits of Shipping Container Storage

When we set out to build a self storage business, we knew it had to be durable. After all, North-Central Oklahoma is home to some of the most volatile weather patterns in North America. Drastic weather calls for drastic measures, and we know that the typical storage unit construction isn’t the best option for harsh weather patterns.

Shipping containers are a great alternative to standard sheet metal construction storage units because their sizes are comparable but there is no comparison in terms of strength. 

A typical sheet metal structure like a storage shed or storage unit campus is made from 26- to 29-gauge sheet metal, shipping containers are made from thick, sturdy 14-gauge sheet metal.

  • They provide a secure and durable storage unit that can withstand harsh weather conditions and handling during transportation.
  • Shipping containers are easily transportable, facilitating relocation or deployment to different locations as needed.
  • They can be customized to meet specific storage needs, with add-ons such as shelves, climate control, roll-up doors, and personnel doors.
  • Shipping containers are a sustainable solution for storage, reducing waste and the need for new building materials.

Why My Storage Box is the right storage facility

What makes My Storage Box so great? Well, we are the only storage facility in town that uses super strong, sturdy shipping containers for our storage options. 

Everyone else has built the standard thin-skin setups that are built to save time and cut corners on cost. But we know the lay of the land; the weather is crazy here! When you are housing priceless heirloom furniture or better yet, a vintage classic motorcycle collection

How We Set Up Our Storage Containers

My Storage Box only buys brand new shipping containers for our storage facility. Whether it’s an 8×10, 8×20, or 8×40, each container was bought brand new. Does this matter?

Absolutely it matters. 

Shipping containers deal with the harshest environments on the planet. Salt spray, constant motion, extreme winds. You name it and it happens on the open ocean. 

If it is good enough to handle the worst that the Atlantic can throw at it, it is definitely good enough to sit on a gravel lot in Northern Oklahoma. Self storage facilities would do themselves a favor by using storage shipping containers, but we’re content to keep it our secret. 

All of our units are lined up on a level gravel pad in a secure storage facility. A traditional storage facility also has to worry about issues like drainage and flooding a lot more than we do. 

Our units are completely water tight and there aren’t many other self storage or temporary storage solutions that can make that claim. 

We we are purchasing shipping containers, we make sure we are only sourcing the very best and that the shipping container’s surface is appropriately thick and durable. Again, the sheet metal shipping containers require is roughly twice the thickness of a standard storage facility. 

How My Storage Box Implements Effective Storage Solutions

Our first concern in the storage business was making sure we had a secure place for you to keep all of your stuff. But not only secure, accessible. 

You are paying to store your stuff in our storage containers and we believe they should not only be totally secure, but you should be able to get into them whenever you want to, day or night. 

We make the renting process completely secure and easy, no need to come into the office. We only list storage units that are actually available, so if it isn’t on the website, it isn’t available. You simply select the unit you want to use and do the whole process online. 

Simple really is the name of the game. Shipping containers are a very simple way to store your household good. With double swing-out doors, it is easy to load and unload your unit, and you are the only person with keys to your padlock so you know nobody is creeping around in there without you knowing. 

The process is simple and effective. 

  1. Select the size you want and purchase access to that unit online. 
  2. We will issue you the unit and give you further instructions to access it. 
  3. Bring your stuff!

The storage units are all accessible 24/7/365 with your electronic gate access that we supply you, and you get access right away. Once you have your assigned unit, locking it is up to you. You provide the lock, you keep the keys. 

Secure Payment for Your Storage Needs

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to set up a service and finding out you have to go into the office to sign paperwork and make payments. We don’t see the point in this. Our payments are processed directly through the website. We have a portal for tenants so you can handle everything that has to do with your unit online. 

Afterall, why should you have to come into our office to set up your box if you work best after midnight? Keep bankers hours for banks. Set up storage online. 

Why Choose My Storage Box

Self storage facilities are the cheapest and fastest way to add storage space for your extra things, but not all self storage is made the same. My Storage Box uses shipping storage containers because we understand the harsh climate native to Northern Oklahoma. Our shipping containers are so much stronger than a typical rental storage space that it isn’t even in the same universe.

But it’s not just what we use; it’s how we use it. We set it all up online so you can worry about more pressing matters than getting off work early enough make it in to the office before they close. We handle the whole transaction online so you can get on with life. 

What to Expect from a 8×20 Self Storage Unit: Space and Cost Explained

How Much Can an 8×20 Storage Unit Hold? Space, Costs & More

One of the most popular sizes of storage units are our 8’x20’ shipping containers. These offer approximately 160 square feet of storage space for all kinds of household goods. Our 8×20 storage units are the perfect size to house the belongings for up to a two to three bedroom house. 

It’s the perfect size for a fridge, washer and dryer, three mattress sets, a dining room set, bookcases, couches, and boxes. We’re going to virtually walk through an 8×20 storage unit and talk about the pros and cons, and what size you would want if you need more space. 

Understanding 8×20 Storage Units

A good way to think of an 8×20 storage unit is as a rough equivalent to a one-car garage. If you’ve ever had a one-car garage, you’ll be familiar with the  It’s ideal for storing furniture, appliances, and other large items, with 8ft. of vertical space for maximum storage capacity.

A row of our clean, secure, and safe storage units in beautiful Ponca City, Oklahoma!

Now, it is important to understand a few things about our storage units. We decided to do things a little bit differently. Instead of hiring out construction and getting typical thin-walled steel storage buildings, we wanted something…stronger. 

So, we went with shipping containers instead. There is nothing thin-walled about shipping containers. They are built to withstand the worst conditions on the planet and come back for a lot more. The standard sizes for shipping containers are:

  • 8×10
  • 8×20
  • 8×40

The 8×20 is a great middle ground size that will accommodate most households’ needs.  

Choosing the Right Storage Unit

Before you sign any paperwork, you need to know what exactly you need. There’s nothing wrong with getting the wrong size, but it is frustrating to either overbuy or underbuy anything. 

Space and Capacity

Here’s a handy guide on what sizes are best suited for the quantity of materials being stored in it. 

8×10 Storage Unit

Seasonal and Household Storage
Our introductory storage unit is our 8’x10’ which has approximately 80 square feet of secure storage.  This unit is the size of a large walk in closet.  It’s perfect for a mattress and box spring and small furniture items such as nightstands, chairs, and drawers.  For small businesses it’s perfect to store records, extra supplies and small office furniture.

8×20 Storage Unit

Household and Small Business Storage
Our 8’x20′ storage unit is approximately 160 square feet of secure storage space. This space can roughly hold a two-to-three-bedroom house. For example: a fridge, washer and dryer, three mattress sets, a dining room set, bookcases, couches, and boxes.

8×40 Storage Unit

Ideal Large Family or Small Businesses
Moving and need a quick storage space, look no further than our 8’x40′ storage unit. With 320 square feet of storage this is the perfect solution for homeowners looking to store their belongings or for small business owners. This unit can fit the contents of a three-to-four-bedroom house. For example: a couple of couches, an oversized armchair, dining room set, fridge, washer and dryer, entertainment nook, bookcases, and multiple mattress sets.

Cost and Pricing

The cost of a 8×20 storage unit varies depending on the location, amenities, and features. You need to look around your area and see what the prices are in the area, because they can vary. 

A row of shipping containers used for self-storage.

Finding a Storage Unit Near You

These are the tips you should follow to find the right storage unit near you. 

  • Use online directories or search engines to find self storage facilities in your area.
  • Check the facility’s website for information on available units, pricing, and amenities.
  • Contact the facility directly to ask about their process for renting a unit and to inquire about any forbidden code or ID requirements.
  • Visit the facility in person to see the units and meet with the staff.

These tips are pretty universal (and generic). Now, here is the deal: My Storage Box is a completely unique way of doing storage. Instead of constructing out of thin steel sheet metal, we went with the beefiest option we could think of: steel shipping containers. We buy brand new units that have never been used in the three standard sizes (8×10, 8×20, & 8×40) and place them on a paved lot so you have easy access to them at all hours of the day. 

We have state-of-the-art gate access and security so you know you are secure when you put your belongings in there. And of course, you should add your own padlock for that final layer of security.  

Final Thoughts

My Storage Box doesn’t want to be like the rest; our goal is to provide you with the very best storage option in the business. We use brand new shipping containers for storage because they are strong, water tight, and about the most durable storage option you can think of. 

If you are ready to get your household goods stored in an 8×20 storage unit in Ponca City, you can do it all here