Data center containers — why customization is the only way to get the right fit

Twenty years ago Google built a data center from 45 containers, reaching a power density of 780 W per square foot. Today’s data center containers are no longer just a collection of off-the-shelf parts: precise, purpose-built customization of the container determines operational stability, energy efficiency and scalability.

Load adaptation: Data center containers shell customization

Matching the container’s structural strength to the client’s IT load is our top priority. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all shell, we design the structure around the actual load:

For outdoor projects in northeastern regions that must support heavy equipment and withstand cold, wind and snow, we increase the thickness of the bottom beam/channel steel and reduce the spacing between load-bearing steel beams. This raises the per-container load capacity to over 10 tonnes and we reinforce corner column welds to guarantee stability.

For a European project with a 150 kW IT load, we upgraded a 40-foot container by adding denser top square steel purlins and a thickened cold-rolled steel roof plate so that high-density equipment is supported evenly. We also position louvers (angled toward the cold aisle) and double-leaf doors (widened and fitted with load-bearing thresholds) according to cabinet layout and cooling requirements, ensuring the shell fully matches the equipment and operational needs.

Energy efficiency: Data center containers ceilings, raised floors and the hot aisle

Custom ceilings and floors are key to controlling energy use and improving efficiency. For clients who want low PUE and easy maintenance, we offer differentiated solutions:

Ceiling: We use full-aluminum, powder-coated micro-perforated ceiling panels with precisely controlled pore size and a matte off-white finish. This reduces glare for maintenance staff, provides sound absorption, and meets first-class data-center standards for fire and moisture resistance.

Hot-aisle grilles: The hot-aisle uses matching aluminum alloy vent grilles whose slat angle is adjusted to the air-conditioning supply pressure (typically about 15°). This helps hot air exhaust quickly, keeps cold-aisle temperature fluctuation within limits, and improves energy efficiency by roughly 20% compared with conventional solutions.

Raised floor (load + cooling balance): In the core area we install 330 mm-high, full-steel anti-static raised floors with a 1.2 mm galvanized steel base and an anti-static PVC surface layer for stable electrical resistance. Floor tiles with airflow openings are matched to cabinet power (7 kW–18 kW). For 18 kW high-density cabinets, vented tiles under the cabinet account for about 40% of the floor area, and under-floor load-distributing supports spaced at 1.2 m ensure both load safety and that cold air reaches the racks efficiently, reducing energy use.

Environmental adaptation: wall customization

We use national first-class fire-rated color steel panels with a rock-wool core (density 120 kg/m³, Class A fire performance) and tailor a “color-steel + functional layer” wall structure to environmental conditions:

In hot, humid southern climates, we add an aluminum-foil moisture barrier and sealed gasket strips to the wall, improving moisture resistance by about 30%.

For extreme cold (down to −30°C) in northern regions, the rock-wool core is increased from 50 mm to 100 mm, and some projects add a PU insulation layer to keep interior temperatures stable.

For finance, defense or other clients with shielding requirements, we add a 0.3 mm galvanized wire-mesh inner layer with proper grounding to achieve greater than 40 dB of electromagnetic shielding.

We also reserve 50–100 mm diameter waterproof cable entry holes according to the number of power and low-voltage lines, and apply anti-corrosion coatings for outdoor projects to extend service life beyond 15 years — all measures that guarantee stable operation in a wide range of environments.

MEOX’s customization philosophy is always customer-driven and focused on precise implementation. We don’t just manufacture boxes — we deliver fully considered, ready-to-use solutions. Whether the requirement is for standard racks or high-density systems, our custom containers serve as the first line of assurance for stable data center operation and are tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.