6 Different Ways To Use an Open Top Shipping Container

Written by Susan Nalevac | November 14, 2022

While open top containers are very useful for transporting cargo, they can be used in various additional ways. Our guide explains the basics of open top shipping containers and some of the many ways people can use them, from swimming pools to restaurant seating!

In This Article:

• What is an Open Top Container?
• Benefits of an Open Top Container
• Dimensions of an Open Top Container
• Do Open Top Containers Cost More?
• 6 Ways You Can Use an Open Top Container

What is an Open Top Container?

 Before we get into the many ways an open top container can be used, let’s explore what it is and how it is different from other shipping containers. An open top container is quite similar to a standard dry storage container in its dimensions and shape—it just features a different roof construction.

Most open top containers come with a tarpaulin roof, which can be removed to better load and unload goods or bulky cargo. Some open top containers have a steel roof that acts like a lid for more secure transport. Examples of cargo shipped in open top containers include:

• Pipes
• Construction debris
• Heavy Machinery
• Heavy-duty tires
• Engines
• Rocks and minerals

Open top containers also have double doors on one end. Other than their roof, open top containers are like any other container in terms of their construction and dimensions.

Benefits of an Open Top Container

As anyone can see, having an open top on a container provides many benefits. For one, it allows the owner to remove the roof so that oversized and awkward-shaped cargo can fit better.

It also makes loading and unloading certain goods much easier, as they can be loaded through the roof by crane or forklift instead of through the doors. That is why open top containers are preferred when transporting loose materials like scrap, rocks, or minerals.

Dimensions of an Open Top Container

The dimensions of an open top container are practically identical to standard dry storage containers. Open top units typically come in 20-foot or 40-foot lengths.

A standard 20-foot open top container is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.6 feet tall on the outside. The payload capacity of an open top container depends on multiple factors, but it’s typically around 60,000 lbs.

Do Open Top Containers Cost More?

The price of an open top container is contingent on many factors—its age and condition being the primary considerations.

Pro tip: If the cargo you’re transporting extends beyond the roof cover of the open top container, the container and transportation fees will cost more.

In general, an open top container is more expensive than a typical dry rack container because it is more expensive to build because of its additional construction requirements.

At Container Management, we have all kinds of containers available at our locations across the country, including open top containers. Browse our site or contact our staff to learn more about our used shipping containers for sale in Detroit and other locations.

6 Ways You Can Use an Open Top Shipping Container

Open top containers have many benefits for shipping cargo, but how else can they be used? With the durable construction and utility of open top containers, there’s practically no limit to their functionality.

We’ve put together a short list of different ways people can use an open top shipping container besides transporting goods.

1. Pop-Up Space
2. Restaurant Space
3. Greenhouse
4. Classroom
5. Art Exhibit
6. Swimming Pool

Pop-Up Space

The shipping container has become a popular choice for those looking for a physical space for a pop-up business or event. Whether you’re hosting a pop-up bar or retail space, an open top container can make for the ideal physical location.

For one, open top containers are quite affordable compared to renting out a physical event space, and since they’re so unique, they instantly stand out to passersby. Plus, if the weather’s nice enough, the roof can be opened, creating an indoor/outdoor space for people to enjoy.

Restaurant Space

Another way businesses have been using open top containers is by creating restaurant spaces. During the pandemic, many restaurants looked for opportunities to expand their outdoor eating spaces to make dining safer for their patrons.

Shipping containers quickly became a favored option for restaurants, as they don’t take up much space and can be easily customized to house chairs and tables for customers to dine outside. An open top container is even better than a standard container since the roof can be removed, making for a more encompassing outdoor eating experience.

Greenhouse

Have you always wanted a backyard greenhouse but struggled with the cost and construction of one? With an open top container, building a greenhouse is affordable and easy!

Instead of spending resources and time constructing a brand-new greenhouse, green thumbs can get an open top container at an affordable price and quickly outfit it with a greenhouse roof. The process is affordable and quick, and most open top containers can easily fit in backyards.

Classroom

The shipping container classroom has become a much more common sight at schools in the US and worldwide. Shipping containers are the ideal expansion for schools that are light on space because they don’t require weeks of construction and don’t take up much space.

And shipping containers make for the ideal temporary classroom solution for schools in rural areas of the world with fewer resources. Plus, with an open top container, the roof can always be opened for a pleasant day of classes outside.

Art Exhibit

One of the unique applications for shipping containers in recent years has been temporary housing for art exhibits and galleries. For those who want their next art exhibit to stand out and be different, an open top container makes for a fascinating physical location for art.

An art gallery in an open top container will pique people’s interest and draw a crowd—which is everything an artist wants in a location.

Swimming Pool

One of the most fun possibilities for an open top container is transforming it into a pool! Open top containers are watertight, making them the perfect structures for makeshift pools, thanks to their open ceilings.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars digging up a backyard or constructing an above-ground pool, you can get an open top container, fill it with water, and presto—a swimming pool!

We hope our guide has helped you learn more about open top containers, their benefits, and their many uses outside of shipping goods. If you’d like to learn more, contact our knowledgeable staff with questions about open top containers and other shipping containers.