Winter Storage 101: Using Sea Cans to Protect Seasonal Equipment

If you live in Ontario, you know that winter doesn’t just make things cold; it actively tries to destroy them.

We have a unique climate here. It’s not just the snow load; it’s the freeze-thaw cycles. It’s the freezing rain that encases your expensive landscaping equipment in ice. It’s the rodents seeking shelter in the wiring of your classic car. And, of course, it’s the salt.

Every year, homeowners and business owners try to cheat the system. They throw a blue tarp over the boat, shove the lawn tractor into a drafty wooden shed, or leave the excavator out in the yard. And every spring, they pay the price in rust, seized engines, and chewed upholstery.

There is a reason why the construction, mining, and shipping industries rely on one thing for winter storage: the Shipping Container (or “Sea Can”).

At Secure Container Solutions, we see sea cans as more than just steel boxes. They are impenetrable vaults designed to survive the worst conditions on Earth—specifically, salt water and hurricanes. If they can survive the North Atlantic, they can handle a February in Muskoka.

Here is the definitive guide to using sea can storage to bulletproof your assets this winter.

Why a Sea Can Beats a Shed (The Science of Corten Steel)

You might be wondering, “Why not just build a wooden shed?”

Wood rots. Vinyl cracks. Tents rip.

Sea cans are built differently. They are constructed from Corten steel (weathering steel). This is a specific alloy designed to develop a stable, rust-like appearance if exposed to weather, which actually protects the steel underneath from deeper corrosion.

The “Wind-and-Watertight” Standard

When you look for sea cans for sale in Ontario, you’ll often hear the term “WWT” (Wind and Watertight). This isn’t marketing fluff; it’s an industry standard.

• The Doors: They don’t just close; they seal. Heavy-duty rubber gaskets (J-seals) run the full perimeter, creating an airtight lock that keeps out moisture and, crucially, mice.
• The Floor: It’s 1.1-inch marine-grade plywood treated to withstand moisture and massive weight loads (often 30,000+ lbs). You can park a skid steer inside without the floor bowing.
• The Roof: It’s continuously welded steel. Unlike a shingled roof that can lose tabs in a windstorm, a container roof is monolithic.

The Enemy is Inside: Managing Condensation

If there is one technical nuance you need to understand about container storage, it is “Container Rain.”

Because sea cans are airtight steel boxes, they react to temperature swings. If the air inside is warm and humid during the day, and the steel cools down rapidly at night, that moisture condenses on the ceiling and drips down onto your gear.

How to Winterize Your Can:

1. 1. Vents are Vital: Ensure your container has functioning side vents. This allows for passive airflow to equalize the temperature.
2. 2. Desiccants: For high-value items (like classic cars or electronics), hang industrial desiccant bags (like giant silica gel packets) inside. They absorb the ambient moisture.
3. 3. Dry Before You Store: Never drive a snow-covered ATV or a wet tractor into the container and close the doors. You are trapping that moisture inside. Let equipment dry off outside, or towel it down before locking it up.

Comparison: Sea Can vs. The Alternatives

Still on the fence? Let’s look at the ROI of protection.