One 20ft or Two 10ft Containers? Choosing the Right Setup

Two 10ft containers have roughly the same floor area as one 20ft. So which is better: one big box or two small ones? It depends on your site, how you'll use the space and how much you value flexibility.

Here's how the two setups compare, so you can decide whether to buy 20 foot shipping container storage or split it in two. If one big box is the answer, you can buy 20 foot shipping container units in every type, new or used.

The basics

Space

They're close. Two 10ft units have slightly less space in total, because each has its own walls and doors. One 20ft gives you a single, uninterrupted room, which matters for long items or a single workshop layout.

Cost

One 20ft usually costs less than two 10ft containers. Small containers cost more per square foot, you pay for two sets of walls, doors and floors, and there may be two delivery charges. Used 20ft containers are also widely available. If you’re weighing one 20ft against two 10ft units, ask for both options in the same quote so you can compare the delivered totals side by side.

Verdict: if cost is the priority, one 20ft usually wins.

Delivery and site space

This is where two 10ft units can win. Each 10ft needs a much shorter straight approach than a 20ft, so they can go where a 20ft can't:

• Narrow side yards
• Short driveways
• Tight urban job sites
• Two separate spots on the same property

If your site can't take a 20ft delivery, two 10ft units may be the answer.

Access

• One 20ft: one set of doors. Items at the back mean walking past everything else.
• Two 10ft: two sets of doors, so you reach more items without unloading.

If you'll be in and out every day, two smaller containers can save time.

Flexibility

Two containers give you options:

• Separate uses: tools in one, materials in the other
• Separate users: a business and a homeowner, or two trades on a site
• Separate places: one by the house, one by the barn
• Moving later: a 10ft is easier to relocate than a 20ft
• Selling one later if you need less space

Security

Both are secure with a good padlock and lock box. Two containers means two locks to manage, but also that a break-in only exposes half your storage.

When one 20ft wins

• You want the lowest cost
• You need a single long space for a workshop or long items
• Your site has room for a 20ft delivery
• You want a used container

When two 10ft units win

• Your site can't take a 20ft delivery
• You need storage in two places
• You want separate storage for different uses or people
• You'll be in and out daily and want two sets of doors

Example setups

A small contractor. Two 10ft containers at opposite ends of a long site: one for tools near the work area, one for materials by the entrance. Less walking, and each trade has its own lock.

A homeowner with a narrow side yard. A 20ft won't fit past the house, but a 10ft will. A second 10ft goes on the driveway for renovation storage, then leaves when the work is done.

A farm. One 20ft by the barn holds feed, tools and equipment in a single, lower-cost unit with one delivery.

A small shop. One 20ft behind the building, modified with a personnel door on the side, gives everyday access without opening the main doors.

A third option: one 20ft with an extra door

If access is the main concern, a 20ft can be modified with a personnel door or roll-up door on the side, or partitioned inside. You get one delivery and lower cost, with better access.

FAQ

Do two 10ft containers equal one 20ft?

In floor area, nearly. In practice, one 20ft has slightly more usable space and usually costs less.

Is it cheaper to buy one 20ft or two 10ft containers?

One 20ft is usually cheaper, including delivery.

Can two 10ft containers be joined together?

They can be placed end to end or side by side. Joining them into one space is a custom modification that usually needs engineering.

Which is easier to deliver?

A 10ft needs much less approach room, so two 10ft units can often go where a single 20ft can't.

Can I start with one 10ft and add another later?

Yes. That's one advantage of smaller units: you can add storage as you need it. Plan the spot for the second container now so the truck can still reach it later.