Unheated storage
Discuss the goods stored, moisture brought inside, ventilation and roof condition. A roof-only treatment is a different scope from insulating the complete shell.
Commercial spray foam experts · Duratite Group
Shipping Container Insulation with Spray Foam
Closed-cell spray foam insulation for steel shipping containers used for commercial storage, workshops and conversions. UK-wide surveys and specifications for your container and its intended use.
Anti-sweatCondensation control
SpecifiedProduct warranty
EnvergeApproved system
Overview
Why use spray foam insulation in a shipping container?
A steel container can lose heat quickly and develop condensation when moist air meets a cold surface. The resulting drips, often called container rain, can affect stored stock, equipment and interior finishes. Insulation is one part of the solution; moisture sources, ventilation and the condition of the shell also matter.
Enverge Nexseal LE is a closed-cell polyurethane spray foam that self-bonds to a suitable prepared surface. Applied inside the container, it follows the corrugated profile and reduces heat transfer through the treated surfaces. The design needs to consider doors, junctions and untreated areas as well as the roof and walls.
We assess the container and proposed use before specifying the build-up. A store for tools, an occupied workshop and a temperature-controlled unit can have very different requirements. Tell us what you need to protect and how the container will be used.
From the Duratite project library
Storage coat or full conversion? See the difference
Application examples from Duratite’s container-insulation gallery; these are different build-ups, not one before-and-after sequence.
See the source project and photographs on Duratite → · Select a photo for the full view.
Specify the use
Storage container or occupied conversion?
Workshop or office
Coordinate insulation with heating, ventilation, windows, doors, electrics and the required internal lining. Allow for the finished dimensions before fixing the fit-out.
Temperature-sensitive goods
Provide the required temperature range and operating conditions. Insulation slows heat transfer; active heating, cooling or dehumidification may also be needed.
Technical data
Enverge Nexseal LE — verified performance
Thermal conductivity λ0.027 W/m·K at 125 mm
Reaction to fireClass 1 uncoated · BS 476 Part 7
Compressive strength78 kPa · BS EN 14315-1
Water vapour resistanceμ 62 · BS EN 12086
Typical published product values. They do not establish the U-value or fire performance of the complete building assembly. Full technical specification →
Specification
Insulating 20ft and 40ft shipping containers
For a 20ft, 40ft or high-cube container, tell us the dimensions, number of units and whether you want the roof, walls, doors or floor included. Overall container length alone does not give the area to be treated: openings, internal partitions and the chosen coverage all affect the work.
A storage container needs a specification suited to its contents and moisture conditions. An office or workshop conversion also needs the proposed heating, ventilation, internal finishes and fire requirements considered. Insulation alone does not provide cooling or guarantee a controlled storage temperature.
There is no single foam thickness that suits every container. We assess the thermal target and condensation risk before recommending the thickness and build-up. Where required, the design includes additional vapour control and a suitable protective lining or coating.
How much does shipping container insulation cost?
The quote depends on the area to be sprayed, specified thickness, preparation, access, number of containers and any protective finish. A roof-only treatment and a fully lined conversion are different scopes, so comparing headline prices per container can be misleading.
Send your postcode, container size, photographs, intended use and required coverage through the survey form. Include any leaks, visible corrosion or existing coatings so these can be considered before the work is priced. Our commercial spray foam cost guide explains the main quotation factors.
Before installation
Confirm what needs moving or protecting, the access available and the planned fit-out. Surface preparation, application conditions, ventilation and re-entry arrangements are agreed for the specified product and site. Completion and reoccupation times are confirmed for the project rather than assumed from the container size.
UK-wide
Shipping container insulation across the UK
Send your site postcode to discuss coverage, survey arrangements and access for your project.
Compare quotations
Ask what is included in your container quote
Coverage and thickness
Roof only, roof and walls, or a wider conversion scope? Confirm the treated surfaces, specified depth and allowance at doors and structural ribs.
Preparation and finish
Identify shell repairs, treatment of existing coatings, protection of fittings and any required internal lining or protective coating.
Access and handover
Confirm where the container will be treated, contents to remove, power/access needs, re-entry arrangements and the documentation supplied.
Application evidence
See the container build-ups above
The container application photographs show a storage ceiling, conversion lining and batten detail from Duratite’s library. They are different examples, so the specification should follow your intended use rather than copy a photograph.
For a portable building with a different construction, see modular and portable building insulation.
Free survey
Get a quote for your project
Send us your building details and our technical team will specify the right system and a clear budget. No obligation.
01208 832 602Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm
info@thermofoam.co.ukWe reply within one working day
Product warranty termsDocumented, surveyor-ready installs
FAQs
Shipping container insulation questions
Will spray foam stop condensation inside my shipping container?
Correctly specified insulation can help control surface condensation. Container rain also depends on moisture sources, ventilation, temperatures and untreated areas. The survey considers these together; foam alone is not a guarantee against every condensation problem.
How much does it cost to insulate a shipping container?
The price depends on the treated area, specified thickness, surface condition, access, number of units and finish. Send the container dimensions, postcode, intended use and photographs for a project-specific quotation.
Can you quote for 20ft and 40ft containers?
Yes. Tell us the size, whether it is standard-height or high-cube, and which surfaces need treating. The specification and quote are based on the actual coverage and use, rather than container length alone.
How much internal space will I lose?
Allow for the specified insulation thickness plus any internal lining or service space. The foam follows the corrugations, but it still reduces the finished internal dimensions. Check the proposed build-up before planning the fit-out.
Can you insulate a container being converted to an office or workshop?
Yes, subject to assessment of the conversion. The design needs to consider thermal performance, ventilation, fire requirements and the internal finish as well as the foam itself.
Does the foam repair rusty or leaking steel?
Existing corrosion, leaks and unsuitable coatings need assessment and appropriate treatment before insulation. Spray foam is not a substitute for repairing the container shell.
Is this suitable for refrigerated or temperature-sensitive storage?
Insulation can reduce heat transfer, but a defined storage temperature also depends on cooling or heating, door openings, air leakage and the complete design. Tell us the temperature and operational requirements so the proposed use can be assessed.
What thickness of spray foam does a container need?
Thickness depends on the thermal target, intended use and condensation assessment. Vapour control, junctions and the protective finish are considered as part of the complete build-up; there is no universal thickness for every container.
Do you need to frame the container out first?
The foam self-bonds to a suitable prepared surface, so framing is not required just to hold the foam in place. An internal lining, service zone or conversion fit-out may still need its own support.
How long does a container take?
Timing depends on preparation, coverage, thickness, access and site conditions. We confirm the application programme, ventilation and re-entry arrangements for the specified product and your project.
Insulate your shipping containers the right way
Specialist commercial spray foam, installed UK-wide by the Duratite Group's spray foam specialists.
Book a Free Survey →or call 01208 832 602