For a wide range of needs, a 20-foot storage container offers the ideal solution on many different properties and job sites. Great Lakes Kwik Space sells new and used 20ft containers to homeowners, contractors, retailers, and organizations across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and we deliver on 24 hours’ notice.
We are Chicagoland’s largest independently owned cargo storage container company, and we have been at it for more than 30 years. Learn more about what a 20ft container offers, how the different conditions compare, which door setups you can order, and what to sort out before a unit arrives at your site. If you already know what you need, call 866-524-6603 or request a quote online.
10-foot containers are the most compact option, but for some jobs, they simply run out of room too quickly. 40-foot units hold a great deal, yet they need long, straight access and a lot of open ground. The 20ft sits in the middle, meeting the needs of various businesses. Inside, you get about 19 feet of length and nearly 8 feet of width. It’s short enough to fit in many places a longer container would not, such as a side yard, a corner of a parking lot, or a narrow stretch of a construction site.
Every container we sell is manufactured to ISO specifications, which makes it easy to match with accessories, shelving, and locks. With the container’s ground-level access, you can roll in a cart, a dolly, or a pallet jack without a ramp in most cases. The door handles are easy to open, the body is secure and watertight, and the box stays portable if your needs change.
In practical terms, a 20ft container commonly holds the contents of a one- to two-bedroom home, a contractor’s tools and materials, or a small retailer’s seasonal inventory.
“My company was installing a large industrial machine in the Aurora, IL area. We needed additional short-term storage space while we were working. Bob and his team were incredibly helpful and got us the containers we needed right away.” — Steve A.
| Size: | 20-Foot Storage Container |
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| Construction: | Steel |
| External Dimensions: |
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| Internal Dimensions: |
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| Door Openings: |
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| Cubic Capacity: | 1,161 cf |
| Weight: | 5,160 lbs |
“Their customer service sets Great Lakes Kwik Storage apart. They took the time to understand our needs and offered options to meet those needs. I will use them again.” — Sterling M.
How you get to your items matters as much as how much room you have. We offer three door setups on 20ft containers.
This is the default. A 20ft container arrives with a pair of lockable cargo doors on one short end. It is the simplest layout, and it works well when you can place the container with the doors facing open space. Items you need most often go near the front, and long-term items go toward the back.
A double door container has cargo doors on both ends. You can open either side, or both, and see the whole interior at once. That makes loading faster and removes the need to dig past other items to reach something at the far end. Double door units work well for crews who share a container, for pass-through loading, and for any site where the container sits between two work areas.
We can install side doors on a 20ft container for direct access along the long wall. Side access is a good choice when the container is parked parallel to a building or a fence line without the ability to swing the end doors open. It also suits workshops and mobile offices, where a person-sized entry on the side is more useful than a cargo opening.
We sell 20ft containers in four conditions. Price, appearance, and expected lifespan shift from one to the next, so the right pick depends on what the container will do for you.
A one-trip container, sometimes called one-way or one-use, is built overseas, loaded with cargo once, and shipped to the United States. These units arrive in the best shape we offer, with clean paint, straight panels, and minimal wear. If appearance matters, such as a container that will sit in view of customers or neighbors, or if you want the longest life out of your purchase, one-trip is where to look.
![20' One Trip 'New' Storage Container [Tan]](https://storagecontainers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/100_1170-1.webp "100_1170")
A refurbished container is a used unit that has been inspected, repaired, and restored. The work can include rust removal, sealing, and repainting, and it gives you a container that looks and performs far better than one sold as it came off a ship. Refurbished units cost less than new, which makes them a sensible middle ground for businesses that want a clean, dependable box without paying the one-trip premium.
A wind and watertight container, often abbreviated WWT, has been checked to confirm the roof, walls, and doors keep out wind and water. It may show cosmetic wear such as dents, surface rust, or faded paint, but it does its main job: keeping your belongings dry. WWT units are popular on construction sites and industrial yards, where function matters more than looks.
An as-is container is sold in its current condition, without the repair work a refurbished unit gets. It is the lowest-cost route into container ownership. Buyers who have a use for a rougher unit, who plan to modify it heavily, or who intend to repaint and repair it themselves often choose this option.
Used containers generally come out of international shipping service after 10 to 12 years, and a well-maintained unit still has plenty of working life left. We can help match a condition to your budget and your timeline.
| Condition | Best For | Typical Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| One-trip |
Long-term ownership, visible locations
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Like new
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| Refurbished |
Business and residential use on a budget
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Repaired & repainted
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| Wind & Watertight |
Job sites, industrial yards
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Visible cosmetic wear possible
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| As-Is |
Lowest cost, heavy modification
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Varies by unit
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“Repeat customer, great service and quality product. Have used for years and will for years to come.” — Tim M.
Storage containers offer incredibly versatile solutions for a wide range of needs. Learn about how our customers utilize their 20-foot containers for high-quality solutions.
Contractors treat a 20ft container as a lockable tool crib that follows the job. It keeps tools, power equipment, and materials secure overnight and through weekends, and it can be moved when the work wraps up. A double-door model lets two crews load from
opposite ends, and a refurbished or WWT unit is usually the practical choice for a site that will beat up the exterior anyway.
Retailers use 20ft containers for seasonal stock, overflow inventory, display fixtures, and records. The unit sits on your own lot, so there is no trip across town to get what you need. For a location customers will see, a one-trip or refurbished container looks better.
Homeowners buy 20ft containers to clear out a garage, store furniture during a remodel, or hold lawn equipment and seasonal gear. It gives you dry, secure space on your own property for as long as you need it. Check local rules and any homeowners association requirements before you order.
Schools and community organizations use containers to store sports equipment, event supplies, tables and chairs, and maintenance gear. A 20ft unit stays out of the way, locks securely, and can sit close to the field or the loading area where the equipment gets used.
With added doors, windows, insulation, and partitions, a 20ft container can become a workshop, a classroom, a site office, or an event space. It starts with a standard container and a clear idea of what the finished space needs to do.
A plain steel box works for plenty of buyers, but it’s not your only option from Great Lakes Kwik Space. We can modify a 20ft container with additional doors, windows, insulation, shelving, lighting, ventilation, and partitions. If you plan to heat or cool the space, tell us early so we can plan the right layout and openings.
Accessories round out the setup. Loading ramps make it easier to move heavy items in and out. Security locks protect the doors. Shelving and racks turn the interior into organized storage, and they raise the amount of usable space by getting items off the floor. Our team can help you choose accessories that suit what you plan to store.
We deliver on 24 hours’ notice and position the container on your site with care. Timing depends on availability, so call early if your schedule is tight. Our team will also guide you through site preparation so delivery day goes smoothly.
The best delivery sites share a few traits. The ground is firm and reasonably level. The entryway is clear of low wires, tight turns, and parked vehicles. There’s enough open space for the truck to maneuver and set the container down. If you’re not sure whether your site works, talk to our team today, and we can help you prepare accordingly.
Great Lakes Kwik Space has been selling and delivering storage containers across Chicagoland for more than 30 years. Why do customers choose us time and time again? Learn what sets us apart from our competitors.
We have worked with contractors, homeowners, retailers, schools, and large corporations throughout Chicagoland. Tight job sites, odd delivery access, and projects that need a custom layout are familiar territory for our team. We can handle your needs expertly, no matter the circumstances.
At GLKS, you work with a team that handles container sales and leasing every day. You can describe your project, ask about door setups or conditions, and get a direct answer about what will and will not work. If a different size or door layout suits your project better, our team has the expertise to tell you.
Every container is inspected for quality and durability before it goes out. We sell one-trip, refurbished, wind and watertight, and as-is units, and we are straightforward about what each condition means, so the container that arrives matches what you expect.
Not every buyer needs a brand-new container, and not every project calls for a basic one. We offer new and used units so you can choose based on how the container will be used, how it needs to look, and how long you plan to keep it. When your project needs more than a standard box, we can add side doors, windows, insulation, shelving, and other modifications, and we carry accessories such as loading ramps, security locks, shelving, and racks.
We deliver on 24 hours’ notice and position the container on your site with care. Our team can walk you through site preparation before the truck arrives, so the ground, the access path, and the placement are sorted out ahead of time.
Great Lakes Kwik Space is a veteran-owned business, and we are proud to be affiliated with the Marine Corps League. That background shows up in how we work and speaks to our commitment to high-quality solutions.
“I would 100% recommend them for anyone looking at purchasing a shipping container. Even the drivers they use are friendly and very skilled with delivery.” — K W
Tell us what you plan to store, where the container will sit, and when you need it. We will recommend a condition and a door setup, quote the container and delivery, and set a date. Call 866-524-6603 or fill out our quote form today.
A standard 20ft container measures 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet 6 inches tall on the outside. Inside, you get about 19 feet 3 inches of length, 7 feet 8 inches of width, and just under 8 feet of height, for roughly 1,165 cubic feet of storage. The door opening is 7 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet 5 inches tall.
Price depends on the condition you choose, the door configuration, any modifications, and delivery distance. One-trip containers typically cost the most, wind and watertight and as-is units the least, and refurbished units fall in between. Because inventory changes, we quote each order individually. Call 866-524-6603 or use the online form for current pricing.
A one-trip container was shipped overseas once and is in near-new condition. A refurbished container is a used unit that has been repaired and repainted. A wind and watertight container keeps out the weather but may show cosmetic wear. An as-is container is sold in its current state at the lowest price. The right one depends on how the container will look, how long you will keep it, and your budget.
Yes. A 20ft container comes standard with cargo doors on one end, and we also offer double door containers with doors on both ends. We can install side doors as well. Tell us how you plan to load and access the container, and we will recommend a layout.
We deliver on 24 hours’ notice. The exact timing depends on inventory and your location, so call us as early as you can when your schedule is tight. Once the truck arrives, we position the container where you want it.
You need a firm, fairly level spot for the container itself, plus a clear approach for the delivery truck. Overhead wires, tight turns, and parked vehicles can all get in the way. Call us before delivery and we can talk through your site, and sending photos helps us spot any problems ahead of time.
Yes. We can add doors, windows, insulation, shelving, lighting, ventilation, and partitions. Many buyers start with a standard container and turn it into a workshop, an office, or a classroom.
Our containers are made of Corten steel, built to resist weather and tampering, and every one comes with lockable cargo doors. Wind and watertight, refurbished, and one-trip units all keep out rain and snow. For added security, you can add a lock designed for containers. To limit condensation, place the container on level, well-drained ground and keep items off the floor.
With basic care, a steel container can serve for many years. Used containers typically leave international shipping after 10 to 12 years and often have plenty of life left. Keeping the unit on level ground, touching up paint when it chips, and keeping the roof and door seals in good shape will extend its life.
A foundation is not usually required, but the container does need level, stable ground such as gravel, pavement, or compacted soil. Permit rules vary by municipality, and homeowners associations may add their own restrictions, so check with your local office before you order.
Great Lakes KWIK SPACE’s 20 ft storage containers can be delivered to you standard with cargo doors on one end or as a double door container with cargo doors on both ends. We can also install side doors for your convenience.
Call us at 1.866.524.6603 to speak with a sale representative or get a KWIK quote today
All of our containers feature:
Rob was always very honest and upfront about everything and took the time to explain everything I needed.
“highly recommended. They provided us with a great storage container with ontime services.”
“Bought a used container, its perfect, no leaks and in good condition.”
“Good service and prompt delivery. A great option for temporary storage at a decent price.”
