Why Might You Buy a Shipping Container?

Shipping containers continue to increase in popularity as more people learn how surprisingly versatile they are. More homeowners and regular people are choosing to purchase shipping containers. We’re also seeing an increase in businesses buying used and new ones. There are several reasons you might buy a shipping container.

Dry Storage

The most commonly used shipping containers are ones designed for dry storage, according to Marine Insight. Small businesses usually don’t have the space needed to store extra inventory. A shipping container provides ample space for storage, ensuring all business owners must do is walk outside to their excess inventory.

Home Storage

Storage units often charge a monthly fee. While this is ideal for individuals who need short-term storage, it isn’t cost-effective for people who need long-term storage solutions. You may want to consider how cost-effective it is to buy a shipping container instead. You’ll save money in the long run because you won’t have to pay a storage company for the rest of your life.

Container Homes

The tiny house movement shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, it’s gaining momentum. Shipping containers are often purchased and customized to create an affordable tiny house. They can be fitted for windows, and kits are available to help you build everything from a roof to a front porch.

Shipping

The most obvious use for a shipping container, these containers still make for a great shipping solution. If you need something shipped across the ocean, you can’t go wrong when you buy a shipping container. They will continue to provide value in this department.

Emergency Shelter

Emergencies like hurricanes often call for disaster relief via pop-up homes. However, government organizations can only offer so many shelters. Many people purchase their shipping containers in this situation to provide temporary housing. Then, the container can be moved to their house for additional space.

Pop-Up Culture

Pop-up culture continues to thrive. People invest in shipping containers to create shops, restaurants, and art displays. Containers can be transformed into an aesthetically appealing space that can easily be moved when the business owner is ready to open a shop in a new location.

Shipping containers are so versatile that almost anyone can find a use for one. It doesn’t matter whether you need additional storage space or are ready to embrace a minimalistic lifestyle; we’ve got the right container for you. Contact us today to learn more about our new and used containers.

Maintenance Tips to Ensure Your Shipping Containers Last a Long Time

You invested in shipping containers to store your stuff, transport goods, or even use as a modular building. Like any investment, you want it to last. When buying from a container sales company, you expect a long lifespan. However, you play a role by ensuring proper maintenance. Follow these tips to keep your shipping container in good shape for years.

Do Regular Inspections

After your container purchase, don’t neglect it. Make a habit of periodic inspections inside and out. Catching small problems early prevents big headaches later. Check the exterior for signs of rust and cracks in the paint that expose the metal underneath. Containers sit outside and are exposed to the weather. Over time, water can seep in and corrode the siding. Touch up chips and scratches in the paint to prevent this rust creep. Examine the inside surfaces too. Water damage shows up here as corrosion and stains. Deal with any roof leaks right away before mold grows. Ventilation is essential too for controlling condensation.

Maintenance Is Needed Both Inside and Out

Your container’s long life requires care inside and out. Make sure you keep it clean by sweeping out dirt, dust, leaves, or other debris that finds its way inside. Wash the interior periodically with appropriate cleaners. Faded paint, bird droppings, and grime also build up outside over the years. Give the exterior a periodic pressure wash or scrub. Make it a habit to check for leaks by inspecting the inside after storms for signs of water intrusion from the door seals or any penetrations made. Be diligent about checking for rust spots or scratches/chips exposing bare metal to ensure the container looks good and continues to keep your belongings protected.

Maintenance Saves Money Over Time

You expect shipping containers bought new or used from container sales companies to last for years. However, it takes proper care and maintenance to ensure you achieve the maximum lifespan. A bit of effort sequentially over time is far cheaper than replacing the entire container prematurely. According to Discover Containers, 70% of the world’s goods are carried by sea. Of that, 52% of the sea trade is transported in shipping containers. As important as these containers are, you want to help yours last to ensure you can continue using it for your shipping or storage needs.

Protect your investment with regular inspections and prompt repairs when needed inside and out. A well-cared-for shipping container will serve you well for decades. Maintain that new condition despite weathering and wear by staying on top of maintenance. Doing so can ensure your shipping container will last as long as you need it. If you’re looking for a company that offers container sales, then reach out to us.

3 Reasons Why Shipping Containers Are Perfect For Military Storage

As you scan the grounds of any military base, a common sight will be rows upon rows of drab, metallic shipping containers clustered together in storage yards. The steel boxes seem like an afterthought as they are plain, mundane vessels used to stash excess supplies and inventory. However, don’t underestimate these workhorse containers. Here are some of the reasons why shipping containers are perfect for military storage.

1. They Are Affordable and Durable

The very nature of shipping container construction makes them ideal for deployment. Built to withstand long ocean journeys and rough passages, they are inherently tough and sturdy. The rigid steel build stands up to years of heavy use with minimal maintenance required. Unlike flimsier alternatives like tents or tin sheds, used shipping containers for sale will not corrode, warp, or degrade when subjected to extreme weather shifts, dirt, debris, and continuous activity. They are impervious to rain, snow, sand, and salt erosion, making them perfect temporary structures for remote field sites and operations.

2. They Are Secure and Mobile to Relocate Your Storage With Ease

Mobility and security are also key advantages over fixed brick-and-mortar facilities. As missions evolve, operational strategy must shift in tandem. Yesterday’s priority region becomes tomorrow’s backwater. Large permanent complexes cannot be relocated once rooted in place, resulting in over-investment of resources. Used shipping containers for sale offer flexible mobility to align your storage footprint with changing demands. Standard container sizes stack together in mix-and-match configurations and can be efficiently transported intact to new locales when needed. Their steel construction also provides innate security with lockable doors and the ability to anchor units firmly to foundations against theft.

3. They Are Fully Customizable to Meet Specialized Military Storage Needs

Beyond their sturdy construction, used shipping containers for sale serve as a blank canvas. They are readily modified and combined to meet specific storage challenges. Where traditional construction requires major trade work to reconfigure, containers adapt quickly through simple modifications like shelving, workstations, and racking tailored to cargo shape and weight. Their boxy geometry also interlocks modularly for straightforward expansion. Multiple doors can be added within the steel framework to connect adjoining units into larger seamlessly integrated complexes. Used shipping containers for sale readily support the installation of climate control systems to meet temperature-sensitive storage needs and safety regulations affordably.

According to Port Technology International, there are around 17 million shipping containers worldwide, with only 6 million of these in use. The next time you see a used shipping container for sale on base, consider it a sturdy, reliable workhorse supporting critical operations. If you’re looking to purchase used shipping containers, then reach out to us today.

Can I Build a Home With a Shipping Container?

Have you seen those tiny homes made out of shipping containers? They’ve become one of the most affordable and adorable trends for homeowners today. Shipping containers are the perfect base for so many different projects; they’re practically taking over the globe! There are endless possibilities when using a shipping container to start your next project. Here’s how to let your imagination run wild.

Creating a small home seems to be the most popular option right now with the amount of housing that isn’t available. Cities are filling up so fast they can’t keep up with demand, and buying a home has never been more expensive. With these obstacles, it just makes sense to cut back on the amount of space you need and build a small home from steel shipping containers. Buying used steel storage containers for sale is cheaper than constructing a two-story home or even a one-story rancher. A large family may not be the ideal occupants for these small homes, but if you’re on your own or only living with one or two other people, you have got it made.

So next time you have a business idea or start thinking of homeownership, think about the options that come with using steel shipping containers. Shipping containers can last for over 20 years if they are well taken care of, that’s a long haul for a minimal investment.

Why Shipping Containers Are Becoming So Popular as Houses

There are many reasons why people are choosing to live outside of the traditional cultural norms these days. Shipping container houses are just one expression of a larger cultural movement toward lifestyles that value the unorthodox. However, just what has made these fun new approaches to the housing sector so popular in recent years? Here are just a few reasons why shipping container houses are becoming all the rage:

Shipping Container Houses Promote Reuse

As you may have guessed from the general application of shipping container houses, they use materials that were already used for another purpose. Because the vast majority of shipping container houses use shipping containers that were made for other purposes, such as transporting cargo, they do not need to be created using new materials. This means that shipping container houses are a great option if you are concerned with reusing materials, rather than using more materials from the ground up. When you work alongside a company that specializes in making custom modifications to used shipping containers, you will be dazzled by the possibilities of modern shipping container houses. By the end of the process you’ll probably be wondering why people choose to live anywhere else!

More Remote Workers and Reduced Workspaces

The widespread adoption of things like shipping container houses is owed, in large part, to the increase in jobs that allow employees to work from remote locations. Without having to travel to an office every single day, people have more freedom to arrange their home workspace as they like. This, in turn, has led to a similar reduction in workspace size. The average individual workstation has shrunk from 80 square feet in 1992 to 39 square feet this year. According to the major design and workspace construction firm Jacobs, that’s the average for projects that were taken on by them. If you’re wondering why shipping container houses are an excellent choice for so many people, then you need only to look at the trends in the global workforce.

Shipping Container Houses Allow You to Express Yourself

Sure you can express your unique interior design tastes with a traditional home, but you’ll never reach the level of self-expression that is possible with a customized shipping container house. Whether you’re into making a durable, rustic ambiance, or something more sleek and modern, used storage and shipping containers allow you to integrate your ideas into one of a kind designs that are special, charming and memorable. The only real limit is your imagination when it comes to shipping container homes!

5 Tips to Consider When Building Shipping Container Houses

Homes made from used shipping containers have seen an increase in popularity recently because of their strength, affordability, and friendliness to the environment. Each recycled shipping container equates to about 3,500kg of steel. It also minimizes the use of other traditional materials that aren’t necessary like wood, bricks, and mortar. If this is an option you are considering, here are five tips to consider when building shipping container houses.

1. Research Local Building Regulations

Each city has different legal regulations for shipping container home construction. Make sure to ask about any legal constraints before you desire to build. How you plan to use the home and who will occupy it will affect what regulations may apply. These regulations concern local property zoning laws, building permits, building codes, and deed restrictions.

2. Select The Right Contractor

Shipping container houses are relatively new to the marketplace. Therefore, some contractors may not have experience constructing these shipping container homes. To make things simple, you should consider one main contractor for all the work rather than delegating various sub-tasks to several contractors. Be sure to ask the contractor for proof of experience and references.

3. Choosing The Right Insulation

Spray foam insulation is generally the best choice for container homes. This will create a vapor barrier to lock out moisture. However, it typically costs more than insulation panels. If your budget is tight, you’ll want to choose the panels but plan on losing an inch of interior space per wall.

4. Considering Flooring Options

Flooring options need to be carefully considered since there are so many to choose from. Do you want tiled or carpeted floors? Do you want to update your home’s look now and then or would you prefer to install the flooring once and forget it? Consider how much your budget can afford as well.

4. New or Used Shipping Containers

One factor determining the overall cost of your home is whether you buy used shipping containers or new. Older containers are typically cheaper but can raise a number of challenges during construction. Make sure you carefully inspect any shipping containers for sale for flaws before use.

5. Proper Stacking Techniques

Shipping containers should be stacked in the same way they are placed on ships. This means they are lined up corner-post to corner-post. The corner-post sits both a little lower from the bottom and a little higher from the top of the container. This allows it to bear the weight of the container itself and any containers above it. To make sure that these containers can withstand strong weather conditions, you should lock them together securely using twist-locks.

If you are interested in shipping container houses, make sure to do your research and weigh your options carefully. Understand all the costs and regulations involved before you start building. This will help you create a sustainable home of your dreams that you can enjoy for years to come.

At Integrated Equipment Sales, we have a large variety of different used shipping containers for sale. Whether you’re looking to make a shipping container house, portable concession stands, or to take advantage of any other unique uses of storage containers, reach and out get in touch with a member of our team today. We would be happy to help you take the first step toward completing your specialty projects with storage containers.

A Brief History of the Use of Storage Containers

Do you use storage containers? Whether you use them for shipping and storing needs or for a pop-up shop, you may want to learn more about their history. Here’s a brief history of these useful containers.

They Were Created in 1956

According to TheRoundUp.org, Malcolm McLean found a way to transport goods over the ocean in 1956 when he invented shipping containers. One of the reasons he went about his invention was that he realized that having a standard-size container in global trade made it much easier to load and unload ships. He knew it could become partially mechanized and make transport easier and faster. When taking a container from a train to a ship, having such standardization would make the process seamless and easier for any company.

The Size Hasn’t Changed Much

The first shipping container from McLean was 33 feet long and 8 feet wide and tall. This properly sized container helped to reduce the cost of loading and unloading a ship. Today, the size of the containers can range from 10 feet to 20 feet to 40 feet long, and they’ll usually be 8 feet wide.

The Military Uses Them

Shipping containers don’t just ship consumer goods. The military began exploring the use of smaller containers to help move around their ammunition. During World War II, these containers helped house and ship bombs, guns, and other equipment to the front lines. Nowadays, they continue to store military items in these containers.

They Still Protect Shipped Items

The planet that is mostly made of water needs reliable ways to get goods over its seas and oceans. 90% of the goods people enjoy have to go over the planet’s seas, and 60% of them are in large steel containers. Whether you’re getting appliances, computers, fruit, or clothing, it likely came from a steel shipping container.

While storage containers as we know them go back to the 1950s, clearly human ancestors have found ingenious ways to transport goods over long distances. Thanks to steel containers, transporting goods between cities, countries, and the oceans has never been easier. For quality storage containers you can rely on, contact us today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about our storage containers.

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