Panama City, FL property owners looking for storage solutions often turn to one of two popular options: portable buildings and shipping containers. Each has its advantages depending on your specific needs, budget and space requirements.

Portable Buildings

Portable buildings are structures designed for easy relocation and flexibility. They can be placed on different foundation types, including concrete pylons, gravel pads, skids or blocks, making installation simple and adaptable to various terrains.

Benefits of Portable Buildings

• Customizable Design: Portable buildings come in a variety of sizes, styles and configurations, allowing you to choose a layout that meets your specific storage needs. You can also add insulation, shelving, electrical wiring and ventilation.
  
  
• Ease of Relocation: Portable buildings are designed for transportability. They can be relocated without extensive dismantling, making them an excellent choice for residential and commercial property owners who may have evolving storage needs.
  
  
• Cost-Effective Option: Compared to permanent structures, portable buildings are typically more affordable, requiring less labor and fewer materials while still providing a sturdy storage solution. They also represent a one-time expense, unlike trailers or shipping containers that are leased. There’s no risk of having to pay more than you initially budgeted on a prolonged lease due to changing circumstances or extended storage needs.
  
  
• Suitable for Various Uses: Beyond storage, portable buildings can also function as workshops, offices or even temporary living spaces, adding to their versatility.
  
  
• You Own It: You may have to pay for trailer or storage container damage that occurs when you’re leasing it, which can significantly increase the total cost of a temporary rental. That’s not a concern when you own a portable building. 

Shipping Containers

Shipping containers, originally designed for transporting goods overseas, have become a popular storage solution due to their strength and durability. These steel containers provide a weather-resistant, relatively securable environment for items.

Benefits of Shipping Containers

1. Extreme Durability: Made from heavy-duty steel, shipping containers are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy wind and rain. They offer long-term durability with minimal maintenance.
   
   
2. Highly Secure: With thick metal walls and doors, shipping containers can provide some security against theft and vandalism. That being said, a determined thief with bolt cutters or other tools can often bypass the basic locking mechanisms that are often used to secure containers.
   
   
3. Weather-Resistant Construction: Shipping containers are designed to keep out moisture, pests and external elements, ensuring that stored items remain safe and dry. They are less effective at protecting stored items from extreme temperatures, unless you want to spend a lot more to lease a reefer container. 
   
   
4. Stackable and Modular: If you need to expand your storage capacity, shipping containers can be stacked on top of each other or placed side by side to create a larger storage area. Stacking can limit accessibility of the items being stored. Buildings like pole barns often provide more storage without sacrificing accessibility.

Key Considerations: Which One Is Right for You?

Choosing between a portable building and a shipping container depends on factors such as intended use, budget, mobility needs and customization requirements.

When to Choose a Portable Building

• You need a customizable and adaptable storage solution.
• You want an aesthetically pleasing structure that blends with existing buildings.
• You may need to relocate the storage unit in the future.
• You need additional features such as insulation, windows or electrical wiring.
• You’d prefer to pay a one-time affordable cost to meet your storage needs rather than spend money on a lease for an indeterminate amount of time.

When to Choose a Shipping Container

• You need to store items for a predictable length of time.
• You want a solution that’s durable and will reliably protect the items from wind and rain.
• You need a modular or stackable storage solution.

Weather Considerations in Panama City

Panama City's subtropical climate presents unique challenges for storage solutions. Frequent heavy rains, high humidity and hurricane threats mean that all types of storage solutions need to be properly maintained. Portable buildings, when properly sealed and ventilated, can effectively resist moisture damage, while shipping containers may require additional insulation to prevent condensation buildup.

Making the Right Choice for Your Storage Needs in Panama City

If you need a flexible, customizable and cost-effective solution for long-term storage, a portable building is a great choice.

Contact us at Bestway Portable Buildings Inc. by calling (850) 747-8974 and find a dependable and affordable long-term storage solution that can be customized to your unique needs.