Will stuff in a metal shipping container Freeze in freezing weather?

[54isanopendoor]

just that really -
I need to store some stuff. Very few options locally.
One is a metal shipping container. Stuff would also be in large plastic tubs.
But - I live in Scotland & temps due to drop to minus 10 over the winter.
Will all stuff freeze & be ruined anyway ? (mix of clothes, books, bric a brac)
Container owner says: 'no, it will be fine' but I have my doubts...

I think it might yes. I had been storing some very sentimental stuff at my mothers house (my wedding photos, baby photos, and a few documents) as she had offered todo my photo albums for me. Instead my dsis and her decided they wanted to ‘declutter’ so put my stuff on the shed and it all went mouldy and frozen and ruined over that winter (I only found out when it hadn’t been done so I thought I’d pick it up myself and do it and was told it had been in the shed nearly a year over winter)

@Theblacksheeptellsthetruth oh that's really sad for you, so sorry x

I was really upset and hurt. That was in a shed though but I imagine a metal container would get even colder and even one hint of moisture would then turn to mould . Do you have a storage unit near you they sometimes a have deals like the first month free might be worth looking as they are temperature controlled

Yes it will and the ones nearest us flooded in most recent storm. We have a big yellow one in the top floor, it's kept at an ambient temp.

Yes it will freeze, and then you will get condensation inside too. The only way around it is to pack your items in insulated packaging materials as though you planned to leave them outside in snow. Use the container as an anti theft measure only.

@Theblacksheeptellsthetruth no, my nearest 'big yellow' type storage is 35miles away. The container is across the road & only £80p/m but I think I need to wait until summer time to use it, if at all. I'm so sorry you lost such items x

@AutumnFroglets ah. thank you.

we use one of these. It is sprayed with some kind of insulation on the inside which does guard against the worst of the cold but they are not completely sealed so there is some damp in there. We have nothing of great value or easily damaged in ours, but a couple of bits I do need to chuck as I know the smell will never come out.
I wouldn't risk it personally.

Yes, items in a metal shipping container can freeze in freezing weather because metal conducts cold temperatures and the container typically lacks insulation. To prevent this, consider adding insulation and a heat source. You can find more detailed information on insulation options

I stored a lot of stuff for about six months from October one year, in a shipping container. It included a lot of books in boxes, and it was all fine. It was up a flight of (outdoor) stairs though, not sure whether that helped.

Shipping containers are designed to transport goods by sea, so I presume they make them pretty watertight.