Cladded Shipping Containers

Give your project a modern, finished look with a cladded shipping container that’s built to stand out. Combining strength with style, our cladded containers serve as functional and attractive spaces for any purpose.

With a range of modern and traditional cladding styles available, we help you create a container that not only performs well but looks the part too.

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Types of shipping container cladding

Shipping containers can be cladded in a wide range of materials to suit your preferences and project requirements. Whether you’re looking for a rustic finish with natural wood, a sleek and modern look with composite panels, or a durable metal exterior for industrial applications, we can provide cladding that matches your vision. Selecting the right type depends on factors like climate, location, planning requirements, and the intended use of the container.

Cladding types can vary in style, structure, and function. Some are chosen primarily for their visual impact—such as timber slats for a warm, natural feel—while others are more performance-driven, offering extra protection in demanding environments. There are even cladding solutions designed to replicate the appearance of traditional building materials like brick or render.

The type of cladding you choose can dramatically transform the appearance of your container while also enhancing its insulation, weather resistance, and long-term durability.

Cladding options

Our team works with a range of materials to ensure the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality, giving your container a polished appearance that aligns with its surroundings. With so many options available, your container can be customised to complement both urban and rural settings seamlessly.

Wood cladding

Wood cladding adds a natural, warm look to shipping containers. With various timber options and finishes available, it provides a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution, making them blend beautifully into residential or rural settings.

Steel cladding

Steel cladding offers a sleek, durable finish for shipping containers, ideal for industrial or modern projects. Its strength and weather resistance make it perfect for protecting shipping containers in any environment.

Brick slip cladding

Brick slip cladding offers a stylish, durable exterior that mimics traditional brickwork while providing enhanced insulation and weather resistance. It’s perfect for blending into urban or residential environments.

Composition cladding

Made from composite materials, it provides excellent weather resistance, low maintenance, and a variety of design options to suit any project. Composition cladding combines durability with versatility for a sleek and modern look.

Explore our range of shipping containers

New Shipping Containers

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Used Shipping Containers

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Specialised Containers

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Shipping container cladding process

Our cladding process ensures your container not only looks great but is also built to last. From initial consultation to final delivery, we work closely with you to create a custom solution that fits your needs and exceeds expectations.

Consultation & Design

We begin by discussing your specific needs and the type of cladding that best suits your project. Whether it’s wood, steel, or brick slip, we help you choose the perfect finish.

Container Selection

Once the design is confirmed, we select the right container based on your size and functionality requirements, ensuring a perfect foundation for cladding.

Preparation & Cleaning

The container is thoroughly cleaned and prepped to ensure smooth application and maximum adhesion of the cladding material.

Cladding Application

Our skilled team installs the chosen cladding, whether it’s wood, steel, or composite, using precise techniques to ensure a seamless and durable finish.

Quality Inspection

After the container is cladded, we conduct a detailed inspection to ensure the cladding is securely applied and meets our high-quality standards.

Client Review & Approval

Before delivery, we share final photos or arrange an in-person review, giving you the chance to inspect the finished container and approve it for delivery.

Delivery & Final Setup

Once complete, your cladded shipping container is delivered to your location, ready to be used for your project. We also offer installation services if needed.

Why buy a cladded shipping container from Universal Containers?

When you choose a cladded shipping container from Universal Containers, you can trust that every unit is designed for durability and security. Each container, whether new or used, includes a secure lock box to protect your belongings and features high-quality cladding in the style of your choice to suit your project’s needs.

Quality assurance

We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality cladding services for shipping containers that you can count on. Whether you buy a new or used container for cladding, or you decide to buy a finished cladded container, you can trust that you’re investing in durable, high-performance products.

Competitive pricing

We offer the best value for your money with our competitively priced cladded shipping containers. Our prices ensure you get top-quality products without compromising on durability or performance, giving you exceptional value for every investment.

Fast delivery & installation

We know your time is valuable, which is why we make fast delivery and seamless installation a priority. Our team is committed to getting your container to you on time and setting it up exactly where you need it, all with minimal disruption to your day. You can count on us to make the process smooth and hassle-free!

Unmatched customer support

We’re committed to delivering exceptional customer service at every stage. From assisting you in choosing the right container and cladding, to offering expert advice throughout the entire process, our team is always ready to support you. We strive to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish!

We’ve been building bespoke containers for 40 years. We can design and fabricate any bespoke specification for your new or used container. Contact our team with your needs and requirements and we’ll make it a reality.

Don’t just take our word for it

Find out why our customers love us and our products

Our containers in action

See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.

Case Studies

Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop

In the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.

Case Studies

Case Study: Garden Center

Universal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.

Case Studies

Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit

A restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.

Case Studies

Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office

The local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.

Case Studies

Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion

The client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.

Shipping

Dropside Shipping Container Conversion

Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.

32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins

These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”

Offices

32×10 Green Office

This particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.

20×10 Gas Bottle Store

Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”

Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room

Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”

20ft Multi-Bay Unit

Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”

10ft Generator Housing Container

10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”

Site Accommodation

40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit

This 40ft x 12ft custom built flat panel cabin was a container conversion project completed for Eddie Stobart’s site.

Site Accommodation

Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness?

Within today’s economic climate, many of us face struggles surrounding our finances.

Cladded Container Bar

A simple 20ft container converted for a customer who needed a unit for 2 uses, sometimes required as just a basic store and other times as an office space. We fitted 2 windows with steel security shutters and fitted an anti-vandal steel personnel door for easier access, especially when being used as an office, butContinue reading “Cladded Container Bar”

20ft Cladded Store

Storage container for Sliver cross baby in Skipton, our client wanted a cladded container to be used to store stock in their Skipton depot. As the unit was cladded externally in high graded larch cladding, we used a used 20ft container to help keep the cost down (as the container condition wouldn’t be seen) toContinue reading “20ft Cladded Store”

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