How Can You Modify Your New Shipping Container?

Shipping containers are versatile products that can be used in a variety of industries and for a multitude of purposes. According to Container Home Hub, the global cargo shipping industry reached 1.85 billion metric tons in 2020. This booming industry can provide you with modified containers that can suit just about any purpose.

First Things First

Before we look at possible modification options, you’ll need to identify your purpose. Having a clear idea of how you plan to use it will inform your decisions regarding modifications. When you talk with new shipping container experts and share your intentions, they’ll also be able to advise you on possible modifications you might want to consider.

Let’s look at some of the most popular modification options.

Electricity

Once electricity has been constructed, the space can be used for many purposes beyond simple storage. Depending on the building codes in your area, you might be able to use the container as a home office, a guest room, or even a hobby room for painting, reading, or even gaming.

HVAC

Adding heating and air can also make your container more like a building. Once HVAC has been professionally installed, you’ll have the option of carrying on activities in the space any time of year. If you plan to use the container as part of a business venture, HVAC is necessary to ensure that your customers or clients are comfortable while visiting your space.

Windows

If you’ve decided that you’ll be spending time in your new shipping container for purposes outside of storage, you will want to consider adding windows. These bring in the necessary ventilation and light for various activities! You can turn this space into a useful greenhouse, a gardening space, or a reading room.

Refrigeration

If your container is going to be used for storage but needs refrigeration, that’s no problem. Refrigeration is a common type of modification to expand the types of items that can be stored. This can be especially useful for various types of businesses that need extra refrigeration space.

If you’re looking for a new shipping container for any purpose, please contact Integrated Equipment Sales today. We can assist with all these modifications and more! We look forward to hearing from you.

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Utilizing Steel Shipping Containers

As you grow and expand your business, you may need extra storage space to house your bulging inventory. Used steel shipping containers for sale provide a great and affordable solution for your need for extra storage space. You can find used steel containers for sale in good shape from the top container suppliers in your area. Before moving forward with this excellent investment, here’s what you should know about the benefits of buying, maintaining, and using steel shipping containers for sale.

1. More Storage Space 

Typically, used steel shipping containers for sale are mostly 20-foot shipping containers or 40-foot shipping containers. Depending on the volume of goods that you wish to store, you will choose the shipping container size that best suits your needs. Given the design of shipping containers, most of your business merchandise will fit comfortably inside without compacting. As such, you can store multiple items in one storage container without any of them sustaining damages. Additionally, storage containers do not occupy much ground space. You can easily create space within your business premise without extensive rearrangements to find space for a steel shipping container to sit on. Even better, you can stack up two or three storage containers on the same space as your storage needs increase. 

2. Portable Storage Space 

If you are planning on relocating your business, buying used steel shipping containers for sale in advance is a good idea for the following reasons. First, it is easier and safer to pack and move your business inventory and equipment in a shipping container. All you need is a truck fitted with a forklift to load and unload the container. Secondly, the storage container will hold your merchandise safely, for as long as you need, as you finalize preparations for your new premises. Lastly, if you have no more need for storage space, you can modify the container to an office, bathroom, or locker room for your employees. 

3. Long-lasting

When you buy used steel shipping containers for sale, you are sure to enjoy long and quality service. steel shipping containers have a long life-span. After being used in shipping service for about a decade, steel shipping containers remain useable for another 10 to 15 years. Shipping companies own about 50% of all shipping containers. When you find a used steel container in nearly pristine condition, you can use it for your storage needs for more than two decades. That is a good bargain that you would want to cash in on. Additionally, the sturdy nature of steel containers guarantees security for your stored goods. It is almost impossible for a burglar to break in easily.

4. Cost-effective 

Given the many benefits you get from a storage container — space utility, enhanced security, durability, and portability — buying used steel shipping containers for sale will give you more bang for your buck. The initial purchasing cost for a used steel container is more affordable compared to buying new storage containers for sale. When a steel storage container reaches the end of its service life, it can be recycled, and the steel used for other purposes. Therefore, once you buy a steel storage container, you can utilize it maximally and probably get a few bucks when you finally decide to unload it to a recycling company.

5. Great for Both Outdoor and Indoor Storage

Used steel shipping containers can survive adverse weather conditions. This increases the versatility of a steel container, as you can use it for outdoor storage without risking damage to your goods. This is a massive advantage, as you can utilize the outdoor space of your business premises to place your storage container. Therefore, you will have more space to place your storage containers — indoors or outdoors — without additional risks and expenses.

Buying used steel shipping containers for sale will solve the storage needs for your business. Not only will you be assured of the safety of the stored goods, but also you will have enough storage space for your merchandise. You should buy a quality steel storage container from the top container suppliers.

Before You Buy

If you’re thinking about buying a steel cargo container to repurpose for a pop up shop or another business project, it’s important to make sure you’re getting a used shipping container that’s going to stand the test of time. Here are a few important things that you’ll need to check for before you buy a steel cargo container.

The Overall Cargo Container Shape

Shape matters more than you might think when it comes to looking at used shipping containers for sale. With over 17 million shipping containers in use every year around the world, it makes sense that they would get a few dents and dings. Some damage is more substantial and more subtle, though. If one side of the container is slanted and creating an imperfect rectangle, then you need to reassess your decision to purchase that particular container. Structural stability is an absolute must when you need to purchase a steel cargo container. Look for straight sides and a perfectly rectangular shape before you make your purchase.

How the Doors Function

The cargo doors on your container will be your primary means of access. Whether you’re storing items inside or you’re walking in and out as part of your cargo container business, doors that function properly are critical. So when you’re looking at your cargo container, make sure you test the doors. Do they open without issue? If you notice that the doors are sticking or loud when they open, it could be a sign of hinge degeneration or rusting. There may also be structural damage affecting them.

Ask About Insulation

Whether you live in a climate that sees all four seasons or you live somewhere that’s warm year-round, insulation is going to be a key factor to consider as you look at steel cargo containers for sale. If you’re planning on using your container as an office space, temperature regulation is going to help keep you comfortable. For perishable goods like milk or other foods, insulation will ensure that nothing spoils after a minute out on the counter. It can also ensure that anything you’re storing in your container remains damage-free.

How to Maintain Your Container Unit

Shipping containers are steel-tough and designed and built to last forever even in the harshest conditions. But anything that works that hard and is so constantly exposed to the elements will necessarily degrade. There are some steps you can take to keep even your used shipping containers in the condition in which you received it.

Load, Unload, and Store Your Shipping Container on Level Surface

Unlevel storage or use of used shipping containers can cause pooling of water around the containers which promotes rust. It can also distribute weight and pressure to joints that are intended to share that weight long term with the container’s other joints. Of course, loads may not always be distributed evenly, but using your shipping containers on level surfaces helps the steel maintain weight in the way that it was intended.

Keep Moving Parts Clean and Lubricated

It may be hard to regard monolithic shipping containers as having anything like an Achilles Heel, but if they do, it’s their moving parts. Doors, handles, and post-manufacture modifications can function as weak points. With proper maintenance, however, there is little cause for concern. Keep handles, hinges, doors, and other modifications clean and well lubricated. In addition, monitor these parts for functionality and faults. It’s unlikely that any part of your used shipping containers will fail, but if there is a place for trouble to start, it’s in the doors and handles.

Maintain and Monitor Modifications

This restates and emphasizes what is directed above: be vigilant with maintaining, monitoring, cleaning, and, as necessary, lubricating post-manufacture modifications. It’s also important to use the highest quality materials available, materials that resist harmful corrosion. There are countless unique uses for storage containers, and nothing is off limits or places your containers at risk so long as the container and modifications are well maintained.

Don’t Disregard Corrosion or Minor Damage

Many used shipping containers are manufactured with corrosion-resistant steel. But even these can be subject to damage from rust and corrosion. As ships are the most frequent transit method for cargo stored in shipping containers, with 95% of the world’s cargo shipped by sea, it is likely that a used shipping container has been exposed to a great deal of salt, salt air, and water, making corrosion more likely. Small areas of corrosion caught early enough easily treated and cleaned away. Catching and repairing dings, dents, and scratches, even before they show signs of rust, is key to keeping your shipping container in the best condition possible for years and years to come.

Shipping containers are every bit as tough as they look. And we are learning more every day about how versatile they are. Used shipping containers are an environmentally friendly way of saving valuable resources. With some simple maintenance and proper vigilance, they can remain in great shape interminably no matter how they are used or repurposed.

Don’t forget to look for these things as you consider purchasing steel shipping containers. For all of your shipping container needs, contact our team today.

Your Ultimate Guide to Turning a 40-Foot Shipping Container Into a Portable Office

Are you looking for portable office space? Depending on your budget and preference, converting a 40-foot container into an office can be a great idea. According to Net Pages, a standard TEU container can carry approximately 3,500 shoe boxes. On the other hand, a 40ft high cube container can hold more than 8,000 shoe boxes. This is enough space to arrange your office furniture nicely. If you want to convert shipping containers into portable offices, here’s how you can go about it.

Permissions

There are some cases where you may need permission to turn a shipping container into an office. Especially if the shipping container office is part of an existing structure. It’s wise to check if planning permissions are required before you hire a team to customize it, which will help you avoid costly mistakes. Once you get permission, or if you figure out that you don’t need any, you can kickstart your project.

Doors and Windows

One of the first steps of converting your shipping container into an office is to hire a team to install doors and windows. We offer this service and can bring your vision to life. We will cut apertures for your windows and doors into the container and our team will then secure new windows and doors on your portable office.

Repainting

If you’re using a used container, chances are you’ll need to paint it before you can use it to improve its appearance. Apart from appearance, painting also improves the life of the container by giving it a weatherproof coating. One of the best paints to use for shipping container painting is rubberized marine paint. Before painting, the surfaces of the container need to be prepped. This involves washing and repairing all the rust spots.

Lining and Flooring

If you’re planning on using your portable office all year long, you should make sure it’s insulated. Insulating your office will increase the levels of comfort and stop the formation of condensation on the walls. Melamine boards and rock wall insulation are usually used for this process without drilling into the walls. It’s advisable to leave the original marine ply flooring on the shipping container since it’s highly durable. By adding a thin layer of vinyl flooring on top, it can create more aesthetically pleasing portable offices.

These are some steps you need to take to convert your shipping container into an office. It’s important to work with professionals for this process. Let’s take a look at the benefits of transforming a shipping container into a portable office with help from our team!

 

Benefits of Turning a Shipping Container Into a Portable Office

Currently, there are roughly 17 million shipping containers across the globe. Only 6 million of those shopping containers are actually being used by anyone or any organization. That means that approximately 11 million of these large, convenient, and durable containers are serving absolutely no purpose.

That should change once you decide to work inside your very own mobile office. Storage containers are obviously great for storing and shipping things, but they work just as great for impromptu mobile offices. Here are some excellent reasons to consider finding mobile office containers.

Better Collaboration

If your job involves constant communication, a mobile office can make collaboration much more effective and efficient. In today’s workplace, collaboration is an effective way of improving productivity and problem-solving. Communicating via email is one thing, but the best ideas are typically hatched when people are face-to-face and able to bounce ideas off of each other. Clearly you can’t have too many people meet inside these mobile offices, because that will be a little cramped, but encourage a coworker or two to stop by and brainstorm with you. With this type of workspace, teams can more easily come together to discuss projects, share ideas, and find solutions.

Improved Work-Life Balance

If you are working from home constantly, that might be great for your work life but it probably is severely hindering your personal life. When you have a physical office to visit, however, it’s much easier to distinguish when you’re at work and when you’re not. It sounds simple enough but it’s tough to do when you work and relax in the same place.

More Cost Effective

Permanent office spaces don’t make that much sense for individuals who are trying to save money while still working diligently. These workers are always either on the move or working at random hours of the day. Rather than buying a permanent office space, utilizing a mobile office is a much better idea because they are affordable and free up plenty of cash flow.

Increase Focus

One of the keys to being productive is focusing on the task at hand. Studies have found that employees are easily distracted, and according to UC Irvine, workers switch their focus every 10.5 minutes. This fact shows that people find it difficult to stay focused and complete tasks promptly. A portable office provides a dedicated workspace, which will allow employees to avoid distractions and stay focused on their job.

Increased Mobility

Portable offices are highly mobile, which makes it easy for employees to move around and find their ideal working environment. It’s helpful if they need to collaborate with colleagues or take part in meetings.

Adaptable Space

The purpose of a portable office is to provide a working space that’s adaptable to the needs of employees. These offices come with all the necessary tools and equipment, meaning that employees can work wherever and whenever they need to. As such, they have been shown to improve productivity as workers are able to customize their workspace according to their individual needs.

Better Comfort

Lastly, the comfort of a portable office can have a significant impact on productivity. Being comfortable helps workers to focus and be more productive. With such an office, employees can sit in an ergonomically adjusted chair and adjust their environment in a more flexible way than in a traditional office.

If you want to check out a quality office container for sale, contact Integrated Equipment Sales today. A portable office can be an excellent tool for improving employee productivity. They’re highly mobile and provide a comfortable space for employees to work. Contact our team if you are interested in acquiring a shipping container to create a portable office today.



What to Know Before You Buy: Portable Storage Containers

Storage containers are widely used for shipping goods internationally. According to Marine Insight, more than 17 million storage containers of different sizes are used worldwide because they promote fast and efficient shipping. Purchasing containers for your business is well worth considering. They are among the most widely available options, and they have proven to be quite useful and versatile. Find out if those portable containers can suit your needs by continuing with the rest of this article.

They Are Available in Different Sizes

Since the word “portable” is in their name, you may reasonably assume that these containers are limited in terms of size. However, that’s not the case. Portable containers include dimensions of 20 and 40 feet.

Due to the availability of various options for portable shipping containers, you can find one that suits your exact needs. You’re not locked into paying for a unit that offers space you won’t use. When you give us a call, you can ask us about the size that makes sense for your shipping needs and complete your purchase based on that.

They Offer Similar Durability

Now that you’ve decided to invest in a shipping container, you understandably want to maximize your purchase. So, does durability vary for the different sizes of portable storage containers? It’s worth noting that durability does not change regardless of container size.

All types of portable containers are durable because they feature the same material composition. They are also designed and built the same way. You can expect to receive a durable shipping container no matter what you choose.

Shopping for portable shipping containers doesn’t have to be complicated. You can take note of the details in the article and end up with the right unit. We can also provide the containers you’re looking for, so don’t hesitate to reach out at Integrated Equipment Sales! When you give us a call, a member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services and products. We want to ensure you get the right container for your needs, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today! We look forward to hearing from you and helping you place your order any time of the year.

What Storage Container Modifications Can You Make?

Shipping containers allow companies to store and transport valuable goods across long distances. Those containers are widely used, as there are 16 million of them in circulation worldwide, according to 360Connect. When they’re no longer used for shipping, the aforementioned containers can be repurposed into homes and commercial establishments. Still, an ordinary storage container may not work well for housing or business purposes. You should consider applying the following modifications to get the most out of your shipping container.

Doors and Windows

These two elements are must-have fixtures for any container that will accommodate people. New doors and windows can make your shipping container more comfortable and secure. The custom door can grant easy access to the interior. Meanwhile, the windows can allow natural light to enter the structure.

Electrical Fixtures

Your storage container won’t be fit for long-term occupation unless it has the necessary electrical features. Think of what appliances you intend to use inside the container so you can request the appropriate receptacles. Installing more receptacles than you might need is also a good idea to ensure you have enough.

Climate Control Features

Even with doors and windows, the interior of a shipping container may still not offer enough comfort. That’s why you should ask service providers to add vents or HVAC equipment. Add those climate control features to your container and instantly turn it into a more accommodating unit.

Shelves

Finally, you should also consider adding shelves to your storage container. Your belongings may be scattered all over the interior of the container because there are no storage units available. Installing shelves can quickly resolve that problem. Adjustable shelves pair well with larger containers, while units on the smaller side can be outfitted with removable shelves.

With so many modification options available for shipping containers, you should have no trouble transforming your unit. As long as you work with the right service provider, your container can become the housing unit or commercial establishment you’ve always wanted. Contact us today at Integrated Equipment Sales, and we’ll apply the modifications you want to your container! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services, so you can feel peace of mind when you hire our team.

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