Maintenance Tips to Ensure Your Shipping Containers Last a Long Time

Shipping containers are widely known for their durability and versatility. Beyond just shipping, they can also be used for things like storage or even building structures. If you want to maximize their lifespans and keep them in good condition, regular maintenance is crucial. Whether you’re looking for a new or used shipping container for sale, these tips can have you ready to keep your containers ready for long-term use.

Regular Cleaning

Over time, things like dirt, debris, and other residues can accumulate on and in your container. Without proper action, this can lead to corrosion. It’s crucial to regularly clean the interior and exterior of your container, with water and a mild detergent. If it’s a tougher stain or even rust spots, some special cleaning agents may be necessary.

Rust Prevention

Rust is the biggest enemy when it comes to extending your container’s lifespan. Be sure to regularly check for rust spots, especially in places where water often accumulates. Immediately treat these spots with a special rust remover and apply a preventative rust coating to prevent buildup in the future.

Roof Maintenance

The roof of a shipping container typically faces the majority of the environmental elements. While it’s typically out of view, the roof can pool a lot of water and debris. Be sure to regularly check for this and remove it. Also, be sure to check for dents.

Doors and Seals

Some of the most important aspects of your shipping container are the doors, hinges, and seals. To function properly, your container’s doors must be operational and secure. Be sure to regularly lubricate the door hinges and ensure the seal is strong to prevent moisture and pests from being able to get inside.

Pest Control

Shipping containers, if not cared for properly, can become a haven for all kinds of pests. It’s important to keep the surrounding area clean and regularly inspect for signs of pests. This can include rodents, insects, snails, and more.

According to Discover Containers, 52% of the world’s sea trade is transported with shipping containers. That is a substantial number, and routine maintenance is important to keep them safe and operational. By following these tips, your investment can be protected and serve its various purposes for years to come. If you’re looking for a new or used shipping container for sale, contact our team at Integrated Equipment Sales today.

How Storage Containers Will Bolster Your Business

Shipping lines own about 50% of all containers, which they use to transport goods by ocean worldwide. However, once a container has been used in the shipping industry for about 10 years, it is offloaded and sold in the aftermarket, where it finds more uses. You may then buy a used shipping container and modify it to suit your commercial or domestic purposes. Luckily, you can utilize storage container modifications services to customize your shipping container for different uses.

 

1. Workstations

Mobile office containers have become popular because of their versatility, simplicity, and affordability. A 20 or 40-foot shipping container can be modified into a viable workstation. You can use office containers as permanent or temporary offices for your employees or as your home office. Today, big and small businesses turn to office containers for sale to provide turnkey solutions to their increasing demand for office space.

 

Another benefit of container offices is their portability. This comes in handy when you’re working on a project in remote places. Engineering companies and the military commonly use portable office containers. Since transporting an office container is easy, you can use it for multiple projects in different places. Regardless of your industry, you can modify a shipping container into a workstation to solve your space needs.

 

2. Commercial Storage Space in Your Warehouse or Business

If you need more secure space to store your business merchandise and other valuable items, steel shipping containers are ideal. Shipping containers are made using Corten steel, which is strong and durable and can also withstand adverse weather conditions. Depending on the type of goods you’re storing, you may conduct extensive storage container modifications, such as installing air conditioning or refrigeration.

 

Shipping containers have factory installed marine grade plywood flooring. This will keep your stored goods in mint condition because a steel cargo container is wind-tight and water-proof. Additionally, the sturdiness of a steel shipping container makes it nearly impossible for burglars to break-in. Therefore, your stored goods will be safe at all times.

 

3. Portable Concession Stands

By using storage container modifications services, you can customize a shipping container into a concession stand to boost your marketing efforts. A portable concession stand will give your business more utility in terms of marketing your goods. With a portable concession stand, you can participate in many tradeshows and business exhibitions without having to do the modifications all over again. Even better, you can brand your container stand with your company’s colors and logos to make it more memorable for the customers. Since you can use one concession stand container for multiple shows, you will get a better ROI as well.

 

4. Container Pop Up Shops and Bars

Retail space is getting pricier by the day, especially in high-end locations where competition for commercial space is high. That’s why many businesses are seeking storage container modification services to design pop-up shops and bars. A pop-up container shop provides much-needed flexibility to a business because it can fit in a smaller space.

 

You can negotiate with your local authorities so you can be allowed to fit your pop-up container shop in a strategic part of your city. Since a pop-up bar or shop can be moved anytime, your city administration may be more willing to grant you a permit. Conversely, it may be impossible to convince your local authorities to allow you to put up a brick-and-mortar shop in the idle parts of your city that are not earmarked for development.

 

Whatever use you want your shipping container to serve, you can utilize storage container modifications services to get it done. You can use a modified shipping container for many commercial uses. Mobile offices, commercial storage, portable concession stands, and pop-up shops and bars are common uses of modified shipping containers. For top-quality container modifications, trust a reputable container supplier. Contact all Integrated Equipment Sales Today.

 

Why Should You Use Shipping Containers as Storage for Your Business?

As a business owner, storing your goods in a secure area is mandatory. However, constructing a store for your business is not a simple undertaking as you will have to withdraw cash reserves from your business. How about using a new storage container for sale as your business store? Shipping containers have a considerable number of benefits. Let’s cover a few.

 

Large Storage Capacity

One of the benefits of a new storage container for sale is that it creates a large storage area. Steel containers are made to transport huge cargo from one country to another, and as such, they have very large storage spaces. You can easily come across 40-foot containers, which are large enough to accommodate all your business operations. You’ll only need a few cargo container modifications to make the storage container conducive.

 

Reliable Security

When you use a new storage container for sale as storage, you can be sure that your goods are safe. These containers are made of high-quality steel which cannot be destroyed easily. You can have your new storage container for sale installed with some of the most effective locking mechanisms. In fact, the majority of legitimate container manufacturers install locking mechanisms before selling the units.

 

Long-Lasting

Durability is an important aspect you will gain when you use a shipping container as storage for your business. The steel box has been made such that it can withstand extreme weather conditions and tides in the deep seas. You can be sure that your storage container cannot be destroyed by a level five hurricane, which is quite an achievement. If you take care of your new storage container for sale, it will offer you services for more than twenty years.

 

Efficient Land Use

Land is a limited resource in major cities right now. Having a piece of land to construct your storage facility is a huge asking to any business owner. However, with a small piece of land, you can have a sufficient storage facility because shipping containers don’t take up much space. Due to the design of new storage containers for sale, you can stack them on top of one another, which is a very efficient land use strategy.

 

Storage Customization

Customization is important to business owners. You have the option of customizing your storage container so that it can easily accommodate all the goods while at the same time leaving sufficient space to move around. You can also inspect your container to remove any weaknesses that may prevent it from delivering the expected storage needs.

 

Are you looking for a storage container for your business? Work with a supplier offering cost-effective and innovative storage solutions for your business needs. It is better if the company sells both used and new storage containers, which allows you to choose what works for you. Also, they should offer container modifications and customization to meet your specific business needs.

How to Reap the Benefits of Mobile Office Containers

When your company requires temporary mobile offices, your options are a bit limited. In fact, there are really only two viable options: telecommuting and custom storage containers. It may seem like these options offer more limitations than opportunities, the opposite is actually true. Below, we’ll explore a few of the benefits that each of these options offers.

Telecommuting

When your office is uninhabitable, one of the first options that might come to mind is telecommuting. For many business owners, this option might seem a little bit scary. It certainly requires an inherent trust between you and your employees! But if you decide that telecommuting is the right option for your temporary office situation, here are some of the benefits it offers:

  • Flexibility – Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to telecommuting. Not only does it mean flexibility in location, it may also mean flexibility in scheduling. For example, if someone needs to attend a medical appointment, they can do so without fear of having to take time off.
  • Cost Effective – If cost is one of your primary constraints, then say hello to telecommuting. Not only does this mean you don’t have to look for a suitable office space, it means there are no rent payments to make, either.

Custom Storage Containers

If telecommuting is out of the question for you, it’s time to consider option number two: custom mobile office containers. It might seem a little bit unconventional, but this option certainly has its own set of unique benefits. Let’s look at a few:

  • Environmentally Friendly – If the environment is a big factor in your mobile office decision, steel shipping containers are the way to go. Almost 675 shipping containers are lost at sea every year, and many more sit unused. Why not make use of one?
  • Easy Transport – Need to pack up shop and move to a different location? Used shipping containers make that an easy job. Designed for mobility, these containers are easily moved from point A to point B.
  • Extra Space – A 20-foot long storage container offers plenty of space for a single office. If you’re thinking a larger container would better fit the bill, no worries! There are also 40-foot options for you to choose from.

How Mobile Office Containers Can Improve Your Construction Site

Your construction site might be temporary, but that shouldn’t mean that your office space has to fit inside the bed of a pickup truck. Renting out mobile office containers refurbished from used shipping containers can be a godsend for any construction job.

Why use shipping or storage containers instead of trailers? Simply put, they’re readily available. Of the 17 million shipping containers in the world, only about 6 million are actually in use. That leaves 11 million vacant steel shipping containers that could be converted to offices, homes, pop-up shops, or portable offices.

In addition, your mobile office containers can improve work site productivity, morale, and professionalism. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll discover from working out of portable office containers:

  • Secure storage space. Keep all of your documents in a neat and safe space where they’ll be well protected from the elements. An organized file system can also make finding those documents much easier when you need them.
  • Better meetings. When you need to talk with clients or oversight managers about the progress of your work, you’ll want to put your most professional foot forward. Mobile office containers give you a “real office” feel that you simply won’t get from talking inside a vehicle or trying to find a quiet spot on site.
  • Work efficiency. Rather than having to commute from a permanent office location to the work site — perhaps multiple times a day — you can keep your mobile office containers directly in the vicinity. This can be crucial when you need to switch back and forth between management and execution on any given day.
  • Boost morale. There’s nothing like a quick moment of respite from a hard work day. Employees will appreciate a place to store belongings, or the ability to charge a phone throughout the day. This can add to your workplace environment, making the site a more pleasant place to spend your waking hours.No matter the job, a mobile office is a must. Get what you need with some clever and custom-fitted storage container modifications to make the most of your work site.

Why More & More Businesses Are Using Mobile Offices Made From Shipping Containers

Shipping containers as mobile offices is one of the brightest ideas in today’s business landscape. The advantages are numerous, including the fact that these mobile offices are highly customizable. Let’s take a closer look at this brilliant idea.

Save Money

Compared to a traditional office space, these mobile office shipping containers are cheap. The cost will be even further reduced if you get a mobile office container instead of spending money on construction.

Convenient Workspace

A totally private and enclosed private office container creates a more favorable working environment. Office containers are said to be a peaceful and pleasant place to work. This is made feasible due to their unique design.

As a company owner, you may alter the interior and even the entire construction of the container depending on what your company requires to make it a perfect workplace for your everyday activities.

Customization

Customization is one of the best advantages of a mobile office. As the client, you can decide what you want to be added to the office, like doors, windows, skylights, climate control, interior modifications, locking mechanisms, shelving, container painting, and more. Other options include choosing the size of the office.

The options are legion. These modifications would have taken much longer and cost you much more with a conventional office.

Sustainability

If you’re seeking a more eco-friendly choice for your business, office containers may be able to provide you with sustainable materials that promote reduced carbon emissions and energy waste.

Office containers may be created with vents and walk-in or sliding doors to let natural light and air in, lowering energy use. If you are shopping for climate-controlled containers but also wish to have multiple vents, this is also feasible via modification.

The durability of these mobile office containers means that you can use them for many years, producing less stuff to go to landfills. Not to mention that durability means you can rely on these structures for a long time.

When you consider all the advantages, you realize why more and more businesses are using this option. Mobile office containers provide you with a truly unique and dynamic option.

More Than Just A Mobile Office: The Power of Modifying a Shipping Container for Personal Use

Remember when you were a kid and you turned a regular cardboard box into a car or a rocket ship? Your imagination took you all over the universe, and that box could be anything you dreamed of. What if you had an even bigger box and it was made of steel?

There are so many possibilities when it comes to an empty shipping container. You are more of a practical thinker now, so you may not be making plans to build a spaceship but imagine all of the real uses one could have for a big steel cargo container.

4 Unique Uses for Shipping Containers

  1. Shipping Container Deck
    One brilliant individual cleared out a steel cargo container, installed glass windows and sliding doors, added a rooftop garden, and set up a patio to create a gorgeous steel paradise in his backyard.
  2. Shipping Container Art
    Believe it or not, artists have used shipping containers as art supplies before. Some have cut the containers down and used the parts to sculpt, while others have actually built monolithic works with multiple storage containers.
  3. Shipping Container Playhouse
    Who needs a treehouse when you could have a shipping container house? Kids will love having their own little space. Just add some doors and windows, put in a safe floor, and let the kids furnish and care for their area.
  4. Stationary or Mobile office container
    No room in your house for a home office? Build yourself some private office space in the yard! If you are always on the move, why not turn a shipping container into your own custom mobile home?

As adults, we just need to channel our inner child, release our imaginations, and run wild with the possibilities. Just a few storage container modifications can turn an empty box into a playroom, or an office, or even a swimming pool! What about portable concession stands?

The shipping industry is huge. In fact, it constitutes around 90% of the world’s trade. Right now, there are roughly 20 million containers crossing the world. The container market alone is projected to grow by 5.3% between 2014 and 2017. But a lot of containers are abandoned when they are no longer needed. It is not hard to find used steel storage containers for sale, and by putting an older container to good use, you are reducing waste and creating a sustainable piece.

Take Advantage of the Space Provided by Shipping Containers

It’s an age-old problem: running out of room. In a home or a business, it’s a given that nearly everyone could use more storage space…or perhaps they would like to set up another location for their business without the hassle of purchasing real estate. What is the answer, then? One solution is to buy new or used shipping containers and have them available for the extra space you need. There are many uses for storage containers, and here are five innovative examples of how they can be put to great use.

1: Hospitals and Health Clinics
Hospitals are not traditionally made of new or used shipping containers. Yet, using storage containers to set up a hospital is an innovative concept. Climate controlled containers provide a great site for health care. In addition, the containers can easily be set up in rural areas where a full-blown construction project might be highly complicated or even prohibitive to undertake, and may also require a long time to complete.

2: College Campuses and Schools
College campuses are ideal sites to utilize shipping containers. They can be used for on-site demolition projects. They can also be used as portable concession stands, set up as a mobile office for interviews or ticket sales, and customized for specialty projects. It is expensive to build schools, but used shipping containers can create classrooms quickly.

3: A Small Private Company
A steel cargo container is a great idea for a small private company such as a landscaping business. It would be perfect storage for all the equipment that a landscaping company, or a small private construction company, would have on hand. In addition, it could also serve as a temporary mobile office for a larger project that is off-site.

4: A Large Industrial Company
There are numerous uses for storage containers by large industrial companies. When a power company or an insurance company has to set up a temporary mobile office, for instance, storage containers are ideal. Even if visiting from out-of-state, the project manager can set up their equipment and use the storage container as their on-site command center.

5: Residential Usage
Did you just purchase something very bulky that takes up a lot of room? Or, are you in the process of remodeling, or moving? If so, you may be in need of some extra room. Climate controlled containers are great for residential projects like clearing out clutter. How many of us use the garage for storage…of stuff, that is, instead of for the car? Does this sound familiar?

Shipping containers can solve this problem for you.

If you’re looking to buy storage containers for a business or a residential situation, you will easily find them. They are a great solution to a space need, such as a mobile office or way to get rid of clutter. Also, they are a great investment, because they are durable. According to Container Auction, containers can last for around 20 years, provided they get good, regular maintenance and upkeep. The bottom line is that storage containers are a great solution to space problems!

How to Stay Productive With a Hobby or Side Hustle

Now that you’ve converted a storage container into a mobile office or workspace, it’s time to get started on some projects. While being productive is a wonderful goal to have, it’s one of the most difficult things to do on a consistent basis. Even if you’re working in a field that you love, it can be hard to flip the switch and get things done when you have to. It’s time to make some changes and get more productive.

From taking breaks to listening to certain kinds of music, there are some great ways to boost your creativity while you’re focusing on your new hobby, career, or side hustle. 

  • Find an office container for sale — Approximately 50% of all containers are owned by shipping lines. But there are plenty of containers out there for sale that you can purchase and start focusing on your new career and improving your productivity. If you find an office container for sale, you can make all kind of storage container modifications to accommodate your personal and professional needs.
  • Listen to music that boosts productivity — Distractions can be brutal. A single distraction can even ruin your productivity for the entire day. However, listening to some nice music isn’t exactly distracting — it’s actually beneficial. You probably shouldn’t listen to hardcore rock and roll as loud as possible, but listening to some nice tunes will help you stay relaxed and focus more on your work.
  • Take multiple breaks — When you need a break you should take a break. It’s simple. Far too many people feel bad whenever they take a break but you need to find time to step away so you don’t burn out too fast. For every hour you work, take a five or 10-minute break and do something enjoyable like read a magazine, play a game, or go for a walk.
  • Write out a to-do-list — Writing out a daily to-do-list will help you plan out your day and stay on track. Each night before you go to sleep, try writing a few things down on your to-do list. You might want to start with some of the most important tasks so you can get to them right away, but tossing in a few simple tasks to get the ball rolling is a good idea, as well.

If you want to find a quality office container for sale and start getting some work done, contact us right away. The team at Integrated Equipment Sales is happy to help you find a storage unit with the exact dimensions you need for your projects. Give us a call today to learn more about our pricing and products available!

Make the Most of Steel Shipping Containers With These Alternative Uses

Once modified, a steel cargo container can have almost unlimited uses beyond its traditional use as a place to store or transports supplies. They also come in a variety of sizes, from 40 foot containers, which are fairly standard, to sizes as great as 180 feet wide and 1,3000 feet long. Furthermore, because shipping containers are meant to be moved around, they can be placed wherever you need them, like as a pop-up business or an addition to a work site. This means that there are endless options for a modified shipping container, limited only by what you want out of a steel cargo container.

The Endless Possibilities of Steel Shipping Containers

Steel shipping containers are sort of like the Swiss Army knife of industrial assets. There are so many ways to modify and use them that it would take an entire search engine just to fit them all into one place. Whether you want doors or windows, or are using them for work purposes or leisure, the possibilities are endless.

For starters, here’s the basics of shipping containers. They’re typically used for the transportation of cargo, and they play a huge role in world imports and exports. In fact, shipping constitutes about 90% of the world’s trade, and most of that is done through the magic of roughly 20 million weather-resistant, water-tight steel shipping containers.

Now, for the fun stuff. Custom containers can be created for just about anything you can think of. They are absolutely ideal for remote projects that you need housing for, and there’s a ton of other great ways to repurpose them at an extremely low cost. Here are some fantastic uses for steel shipping containers:

  • Pop-up shop

Shipping containers can be outfitted with climate control, windows, doors with locks, and everything else you need to work out of what is essentially a small, inexpensive store. Whether it’s a boutique clothing store or your own little café, a shipping container can provide the tools you need to succeed. You can have them outfitted with shelves, lighting, awnings, and tons of other add-ons to accommodate your business.

  • Playroom for kids

One of the most popular trends in the steel shipping container industry is placing them in the backyard as a clubhouse for children. Every kid wants their own place to bring friends and play, and shipping containers make the perfect private space for your children to make their own. They allow kids to get creative and offer protection from rain and snow to let them play for as long as they’d like.

  • Portable office containers

Many businesses are looking towards modified shipping containers as a new way of constructing their offices. This is because of the flexibility that they offer, as they can be moved where they are needed. This is great for a construction company, which won’t always work in the same location, or other work that happens at off-site locations like an archeological dig. This environmentally friendly option is also customizable to fit the needs of the portable office. It’s not a one size fits all, generic office that you’d be getting. On top of all that, they’re also a great economic decision for a business. It’s both cheaper than building an office from scratch, but can also be sold later for a profit, or if not a profit then at least a portion of the initial cost.

  • Concessions stands

Almost every sporting event, from youth sports for children through professional sports, have concessions stands at them. Of course, sports aren’t the only place that you’ll find a concession stand. Fireworks, parades, air shows, fun runs, and any event that draws a notable crowd will need a concession stand to help keep everyone full and happy.

Steel cargo containers are easily converted into concession stands, and much like food trucks the mobility that is offered by a shipping container allows the shipping container to become a portable concession stand, going to events throughout the region. Furthermore, due to their size, shipping containers can offer some shelter to sit and eat at if there is bad weather for the event they’re serving, making them a great option to replace the traditional concession stand that typically amounts to some folding tables and a tent.

  • Seasonal shops

In shopping malls, strip malls, empty lots, and parking lots across the country there are seasonal pop-up shops that appear over the course of the year. Around October they’ll sell costumes and Halloween decorations, and come the winter those spaces tend to be filled with Christmas trees, ornaments, and other winter holiday supplies. They’ll even pop-up to sell fireworks at the start of summer in states where they’re legal.

Because these modified shipping containers are customizable, they can fit almost any need you can think of for them. These are just three options in a world full of possibilities beyond these. That’s the true strength of using a modified shipping container, their versatility in purpose.

How to Modify Containers to Make Home Additions

By now, you’ve probably heard or read about the many creative ways that people around the world are turning new and used steel cargo containers into tiny houses and cabins, mobile offices, container pop up shops, and more. And maybe you have an idea of what you could do with one yourself — but you’re not sure if it would work.

The truth is that there are almost endless ways to customize any single 40 foot shipping containers to match your vision. Below are some of the most common and popular cargo container modifications used to turn ideas like yours into a living reality.

Custom Doors

The standard door on a storage container was made with shipping in mind. In fact, 95% of the world’s cargo still travels by ship, with high-volume ships being the most cost-efficient way to transport goods. But that’s probably not what you have in mind. Instead, you might opt for a roll-up door or personnel door for easy access in and out of the container.

Windows and Skylights

An affordable and easy way to add more natural light to the interior of your container space is with a few windows, usually measuring around 2×3 or 3×3, or skylights overhead, which can be made round or square. It’s your space; light it up!

Climate Control

With a mounted AC unit or roof turbine vent, you can have a climate controlled container for storing sensitive goods or regulating temperature just like you would inside of any structure.

Paint

A little bit of fresh paint can add a lot of personality and color to your container. A high-quality, industrial-grade enamel coating will also help the metal exterior withstand the elements of nature, no matter where you’re planted.

Interiors

Wall paneling, flooring and electrical wiring are also popular and important cargo container modifications, especially if you intend to use it for living or working. It won’t “feel” like a real home — it is one!

If you can dream it, it can be done. For the smallest change or the most elaborate project, contact us with your modification ideas for steel shipping containers today. We will do all we can to meet your needs and make your dreams come true. A great distributor like Integrated Equipment Sales can customize your container to fit your needs, and with our help, you can truly personalize your shipping container experience. 

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