Why Using Brand New Containers is a No-Brainer for Your Next Home

Did you know that a lot of companies will use old, worn-out shipping containers that have spent over a decade braving ocean salt, chemicals, and corrosion? 

To avoid deterioration, older containers were typically coated with toxic coatings (including lead- based paint).  It’s not uncommon for their floors to have been treated with pesticides (think arsenic or formaldehyde). When you buy a used container- do you know what was shipped inside it?  If it was filled with beanie babies or baseball bats for 15 years, you may be okay.  If it was used to ship chemicals, you’d probably prefer a different container. Unfortunately, you don’t know.  They don’t tell you because they don’t know either. Exposure to toxic chemicals is just one of the many reasons to avoid used containers.  At Astro Containers, we only use new shipping containers to build our homes, container offices, kitchens and container hunting cabins.

Hidden Risks of Buying a Shipping Container Home with a Used Container

Most shipping containers are used for 10–15 years before being retired. By then, these used containers have been:

• Out to sea where they’ve been exposed to harsh marine environments (think saltwater)- which causes rust & corrosion
• Carrying unknown cargo including but not limited to potentially hazardous materials that could still be leaching onto the surface
• They’ve been moved by cranes hundreds of times (often with tens of thousands of pounds of cargo still inside them). 
• They’ve been loaded & unloaded by reach stackers, straddle carriers & forklifts, loaded into trucks or onto trains to bring them inland.  They’ve been dragged across container yards where they’re stacked on top of each other.  What does this result in?  Significant structural wear and tear! 

Since they’ve been constantly  stacked and moved around and treated with harsh chemicals, they’re eventually “put out to pasture.”  They’re typically sold for one of the following reasons:

1. Age based retirement

• Containers are built to last about 15 years in active marine service
• Corrosion and wear and tear eventually sets in, making them less viable
• Container can be pulled out of service earlier if enough damage is sustained

   2. Damage or Failure in Inspection

• To maintain CSC certification for international shipping, regular inspections are done
• If the container fails inspection, the container is immediately decommissioned
• Things that will cause the container to fail include:

              i.      Twisted frame

              ii.     Corner casting damage

              iii.    Corrosion or holes

              iv.    Degraded flooring

   3. Unprofitability or Operational Downtime

• When the repair costs exceed the value of the container (just like when a car is totaled)
• Space is better used on newer models that are more efficient

These containers weren’t designed to be lived in—they were built to survive shipping lanes. Turning them into homes without costly remediation is risky for both health and structural integrity.

Why Astro Containers Only Uses Brand New Containers

Our homes are built using pristine, brand new containers that have never experienced the joys of swinging around shipyard or getting beaten to hell across the oceans of the world. 

Why is that important to you?

• Clean & Safe: No exposure to toxic chemicals like lead paint or pesticides in the flooring
• Superior Quality: No rust, corrosion or dents.  No sea-voyage stories= no surprises
• Long-Lasting: Avoids the maintenance older containers require

Simply put, buying a tiny home with a new container is a better investment.  It’s a a safer home (or whatever you want to use it for) and an overall smarter decision.

The Astro Difference

When you buy a home from Astro Containers, you’re not just getting a container home. You’re getting reliability:

• Built by experts who don’t take shortcuts
• Crafted using only the best materials available
• Designed for long-term comfort, safety, and durability

Whether you're planning a cozy studio, vacation rental, office space for your construction site or a modern family home—starting with new containers is a non-negotiable.

Ready to Get Started?

Reach out to talk with an expert today or get started by submitting our form on our contact page.  We’d love to answer your questions and build you a better-quality home!