Cladded and Painted Shipping Containers

Container Projects manages the modification and supply of containers for aesthetic and functional site needs. For businesses looking to buy containers or rent containers with custom finishes, we maintain a national logistics network. You can request a container quote for cladded units via our enquiry portal. These modifications are suitable for pop-up retail containers, modular offices, and residential storage where visual impact is a priority. Every unit intended for international logistics includes a CSC plate. A CSC plate is a safety approval plate required for international shipping to certify structural safety. Most modified projects utilise one-trip stock. A one-trip unit is a new container that has made a single journey from the manufacturer to the UK.

Customisation through cladding and paint

Container Projects offers professional finishing to help steel units blend into sensitive environments or stand out for branding. We provide high-durability coatings and natural timber exteriors.

Timber Cladding Options

Timber cladding transforms the container's industrial appearance. We typically use Larch, Cedar, or pressure-treated softwood. The timber is fixed to a secondary frame attached to the container walls. This process creates a thermal air gap that assists with temperature regulation. Cladding is frequently used in parks, schools, and housing developments to meet local planning requirements.

RAL Painting and Branding

We provide professional repainting services using marine-grade C5 paints. Clients can choose any colour from the RAL or BS colour charts. Painting protects the steel against corrosion and allows for seamless branding. We often combine painting with cladding to highlight specific architectural features of a unit.

Standard sizes and aesthetic modifications

Modified containers are available in standard ISO lengths. Container Projects assists in selecting the size based on your specific site footprint.

• 10ft Units: Compact units for ticket booths or small kiosks.
• 20ft Units: The industry standard for cladded and painted retail spaces.
• 40ft Units: Large-scale modular buildings or multi-unit cafes.

We also provide high cube variants to offer 9ft 6in of external height. This provides additional internal headroom after insulation and cladding have been installed. For a full list of measurements, see our container dimensions page.

Hire or buy

Container Projects provides commercial flexibility for modified containers. Buying is recommended for permanent installations requiring bespoke cladding and internal fit-outs. Hire is a cost-effective solution for seasonal events or temporary marketing suites where standard painting is sufficient. We provide aftercare support for both sale and rental units across the United Kingdom.

Condition grades for modification

The base unit condition affects the final finish. We supply units that meet the IICL standard for high-end conversions. IICL refers to a high standard of container repair and condition set by the Institute of International Container Lessors. For standard storage where cladding will hide the exterior, we use units graded as wind and watertight. A wind and watertight unit is a condition grade ensuring the unit is sealed against weather and light. We confirm the tare and payload of every unit before modification. A tare is the weight of the empty container. A payload is the maximum weight of cargo the container can carry.

Delivery access, siting, and placement

Container Projects utilises container haulage vehicles with hiab cranes. Siting a cladded container requires careful preparation:

• Ground Conditions: The surface must be firm and level. Soft ground can cause the unit to sink, leading to door misalignment.
• Vehicle Clearance: Delivery trucks require a minimum width of 10ft and a minimum vertical clearance of 15 ft.
• Space: Ensure there is enough room for the truck to extend its outriggers for a safe lift.
• Orientation: Inform us of the door and cladding orientation before the vehicle arrives.

Security, condensation, and aftercare

All container types modified by Container Projects retain their core security features. We install lock boxes to protect padlocks from tampering. To prevent condensation behind cladding, we ensure proper ventilation between the steel and the timber. Aftercare includes periodic treatment of the timber and inspection of the paint for any scratches to prevent surface rust.

Export use and compliance

If a cladded unit is shipped internationally, it must retain its CSC plate status. Heavy cladding increases the tare weight, which reduces the available payload. Container Projects provides the necessary documentation to ensure your modified unit remains compliant with maritime shipping standards. Learn more about us and our compliance record.

How Container Projects handles supply and delivery

1. Consultation: We discuss your aesthetic goals and site requirements.
2. Design: Our team confirms the RAL colour and cladding material.
3. Conversion: Modifications are completed at our container conversions facility.
4. Haulage: We coordinate a hiab delivery to your UK site.
5. Installation: The unit is placed and levelled for immediate use.