A Guide to Shipping Container Lighting

Whether you have purchased a shipping container for storage or as a mobile office, you will need adequate levels of lighting on the inside and outside. How much and what kind of lighting you choose will depend on the intended purpose of the container.

While your first thoughts for modification may be of shelving, climate control systems or doors, the truth is, the right shipping container lighting is vital in ensuring comfort and convenience for any application.

Most shipping containers do not automatically come with lights when you buy or rent them, which means you have to add your own. Not only does this promote safety, it ensures you can work properly without squinting. Without the proper lighting, containers would be dangerously dark when closed up and especially for units that don’t have windows.

You can specify if you want modifications such as lighting when you ask for a free quote from your shipping container provider.

Let’s take a look at the different kinds of lighting you may need in your shipping container, whether in Washington, Oregon or beyond.

Interior Lighting

This is an important addition to any shipping container space, even if you’re only using it for storage. It takes even more precedence when using the unit as a workspace, living space, or other enclosure that you will be accessing frequently. How much lighting you want is up to you. You can choose multiple four-foot LED light fixtures, recessed lighting, task lighting, ambient lighting, general lighting, mood lighting and more.

And if your container needs to achieve a unique purpose, such as promote plant growth, you can always add specialty lighting applications for these needs.

Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting helps people safely navigate to and around the container, as well as access it, without tripping or getting lost. Exterior lighting is especially important for living spaces and job sites where night work is required. It also acts as a critical security measure, as intruders will be less likely to break into a well-lit container than a completely dark one.

Good exterior lights include security lights, motion sensor lights, and path lighting.

Importance of Hiring an Electrician

If you have made the decision to install interior or exterior lights in your shipping container, you should always hire an electrician for this job. They bring the right equipment and have the proper knowledge of working with electricity and lighting. If you attempt it yourself, you risk electric shock, to be sure. But you also risk not doing a proper job, which can come back to haunt you later.

Some shipping container providers that offer modifications to their units have a team of electricians, welders, plumbers and carpenters to perform those modifications safely and professionally.

Request Your Quote Now

If you are looking to purchase your own shipping container with modifications such as lighting, please contact us for a free quote at 866-549-9823 anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.