Insulated Shipping Containers for Sale
You can get an insulated shipping container three ways: climate-controlled units with an A/C that also heats, from $10,030; non-working reefers, insulated at the factory but no longer cooling, from $5,000; and spray foam added to a container in Oregon and Washington, from $1,900 plus the container. Prices are this week’s, before delivery and sales tax; each seller’s quote states the delivered price and date.
Enter your ZIP code to check that we cover your address. Up to 5 sellers serving it send you their delivered prices after you send your request.
Three ways to an insulated container
| Option | What keeps the temperature | Power | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate-controlled unit | Insulation plus an A/C with heat, set to the temperature you want | Needed | $10,030 |
| Non-working reefer | Factory insulation on all sides; slows heat and cold, no cooling | None | $5,000 |
| Spray foam added | 2 or 3 inches of closed-cell foam on the walls, ceiling and doors | None | $1,900 + container |
Climate-controlled storage containers
Also sold as temperature-controlled or air-conditioned storage containers, these are steel containers insulated inside and fitted with an A/C that also heats, to keep electronics, paperwork, artwork and furniture away from summer heat, freezing nights and damp. Comparable builds use 1 to 3 inches of foam on the walls and ceiling, roughly R-4 to R-21, and a wall-mounted A/C of about 18,000 BTU. Insulation takes some room: with 1 to 3 inches on the walls and ceiling, expect the inside to be roughly 2 to 6 inches narrower and 1 to 3 inches lower than a plain container’s. Your unit’s inside dimensions, insulation rating, A/C size and power hookup vary by seller, so ask each one for them, along with whether the container under it is new (one-trip) or used.
Illustrative image 20ft climate-controlled container
Outside 19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″
Illustrative image 40ft high cube climate-controlled container
Outside 40′ × 8′ × 9′6″
20ft climate-controlled container
Outside 19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″
40ft high cube climate-controlled container
Outside 40′ × 8′ × 9′6″
Power: the A/C runs on electricity, so plan for power where the container will sit. Depending on your state, county and city, wiring it in can need a permit: shipping container permits.
Non-working reefers: insulated, without cooling
A non-working reefer is a refrigerated container whose cooling unit no longer runs. The factory insulation stays on all sides, so the inside changes temperature more slowly than in a plain steel box, with no power needed; many sellers simply call it an insulated container. The insulation takes room: inside, a 20ft measures about 17′10″ × 7′6″ and a 40ft high cube about 38′ × 7′6″, about a foot and a half shorter and 2½ inches narrower than dry containers of the same size.
For this week, budget $5,000 for a non-working 40ft high cube or $6,750 for a 20ft, with delivery and sales tax added for your address: used 40ft high cube reefer · used 20ft reefer.
Spray foam added to a container
In Oregon and Washington, a seller’s shop sprays closed-cell foam inside the container you buy before it’s delivered: on the walls, the ceiling and the cargo doors, and under the floor if you choose. The foam gives about R-6 to R-7 per inch, so 2 inches suits a workshop or storage, and 3 inches an office or a space you’ll heat and cool all year.
| Container and foam | Walls, ceiling, doors | Plus underfloor |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft, 2 in (R-12 to R-14) | $1,900 | $2,475 |
| 20ft, 2 in (R-12 to R-14) | $2,725 | $3,525 |
| 40ft, 2 in (R-12 to R-14) | $4,750 | $6,240 |
| 10ft, 3 in (R-18 to R-21) | $2,250 | $2,750 |
| 20ft, 3 in (R-18 to R-21) | $3,500 | $4,125 |
| 40ft, 3 in (R-18 to R-21) | $6,500 | $7,950 |
Outside Oregon and Washington, insulation is quoted with your container. If you also want an A/C that heats, ask for it with the foam: it’s quoted separately. Ask for a quote.
Guarantee
For the climate-controlled units and spray foam added at a shop:
The seller’s guarantee. For a modified container, what the seller guarantees on the container and on the work done to it, what you can refuse at delivery and how you pay are its own; check that each quote puts them in writing. An A/C, where fitted, also carries its manufacturer’s warranty. Our service is free, and you don’t have to accept any quote. What to check in a quote.
For a non-working reefer, check that the seller’s quote states the guarantee on the box. Delivery is priced for your address with your quote: delivery cost and site checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can you insulate a shipping container?
Yes. The usual materials are closed-cell spray foam, about R-6 to R-7 per inch and applied by a trained crew with special equipment; rigid foam boards, about R-4 per inch, glued to the steel; and fiberglass or mineral wool batts, which need a stud frame and a vapor barrier. In Oregon and Washington, a seller’s shop adds spray foam; elsewhere, ask for quotes. To do it yourself, the office kit (from $8,301) packs R-13 insulation with an A/C, windows, a door and the wiring.
Can you climate control a shipping container?
Yes. Insulate it first, then add an A/C that also heats and the power to run it; sealing the gaps and adding a vapor barrier keep humidity in check. Our climate-controlled units arrive built that way, from $10,030 this week for a 20ft.
How much does an insulated shipping container cost?
It depends on how it’s insulated. Before delivery and sales tax, this week: a non-working reefer at $5,000 for a 40ft high cube or $6,750 for a 20ft; a climate-controlled unit at $10,030 for a 20ft or $12,570 for a 40ft high cube; spray foam from $1,900 for a 10ft to $7,950 for a 40ft with 3 inches and the underfloor, plus the container.
Is it worth getting a climate-controlled storage container?
It is for anything heat, frost or damp would ruin: electronics, paper records, artwork, wood furniture, keepsakes. If what you store doesn’t mind temperature swings, a standard container costs far less, from $1,400 this week for a used 20ft, and vents help with condensation.
What’s the difference between an insulated and a climate-controlled container?
Insulation only slows heat moving through the steel, so the inside still follows the weather, just more slowly. Climate control adds an A/C with heat that holds the temperature you set, and it needs power. To keep goods cold or frozen, you need a working reefer: refrigerated containers.
Where can I buy an insulated shipping container?
Right here. Request a climate-controlled unit or a non-working reefer, or spray foam with a container, and send your ZIP: up to 5 sellers send you availability, a delivered price and a delivery date.
Need it cold or frozen? Refrigerated containers · Need a workspace? Container offices · All shipping containers