A house is a reflection of the homeowner. So why not make a huge statement by building a house out of a material that people wouldn’t expect? A used shipping container has the potential to be the alternative, energy-efficient, and cost-effective housing solution you’re looking for. Here are major benefits to building a house from steel shipping containers, the idea you never knew you needed. We’ll also go over important considerations to keep in mind when tackling this project, as well as wonderful real-world examples of these tiny home marvels.
Affordability
The biggest incentive for a shipping container house is that they are quite inexpensive. You are able to buy used storage containers and the process of turning them into a home is far less expensive than real estate in the cheapest part of your city. If you don’t want to go refurbished, don’t worry. You can also pick from new storage containers for sale.
Ease of Use
Though it may seem daunting, having a home constructed of shipping containers is not as complicated as one would think. There are also a lot of storage container modifications available, so if you want to add windows or a staircase, contact a reliable company to do so. Whether it’s as an addition to a three-story home, to a sunroom, or to a poolside bungalow, the opportunities are endless!
Location Flexibility
Due to their ease of transport, shipping containers can come to you wherever you want them. All you need to do is clear out a minimum of 100 feet of moving space for the delivering truck to maneuver. The potential of portable homes entails placing them or moving them to a suitable location that works with your geographic conditions.
Environmentally Friendly
Besides the fact that you will have a completely unique home, you will be doing some good for the environment when you use shipping containers to build your home. Since you can buy new or used steel shipping containers, energy efficiency is a major result of the steel being recycled.
Important Considerations to Make Before Building Shipping Container Homes
There are about 17 million shipping containers in the world, with only 6 million of them actually in use. That means approximately 11 million storage containers are currently unused and could be converted into livable homes for people all around the globe.
When it comes to actually constructing homes made entirely of shipping containers, there are several things that you need to consider in order to ensure your home is structurally sound, sustainable, and visually appealing.
Here are some important things to keep in mind before deciding to build a shipping container home:
- Research building codes and restrictions — Certain areas around the country have various restrictions against building a home out of containers. Before you begin the process and start spending money on materials and containers, make sure you check your local and state building codes.
- Hire a complete contractor — Unless you’re extremely well-versed in modular housing and know how to perform various container modifications, you should work with a team of professional contractors. These workers can oversee the entire process and will help with everything from insulation and maintenance to design and functionality.
- Don’t forget about electricity and plumbing — When you’re designing your container home, make sure you are aware of where the plumbing and electrical lines will need to be placed. Ask your contractor to cut holes for electrical lines and plumbing before finishing the interior so you can avoid serious issues down the line.
If you’d rather just place an offer on already existing homes made out of shipping containers, check out some of the nicest units on the market.
Front Porch Living by Custom Container Living — Features: Covered front porch with glazed door, six windows, hard-wired smoke detector, 12,000 BTU air conditioner with 10,600 BTU heating combo unit, painted pine tongue-and-groove interiors. Starting at $56,400.
The HO4 by HONOMOBO — Features: Three-bedroom (or two-bedroom) with an ensuite including living room, dining room, and full kitchen; highly efficient air source heat pump for heating and cooling; option to add solar panels.
Grannis Road House by Ty Kelly — Features: One-bedroom, one-bath with handmade finishings, wooden stove, contemporary conveniences including dishwasher and dryer, natural wood cladding, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Starting at $125,000.
Real-World Examples of Shipping Container Houses
The world is filling up with unused shipping containers. As new and used shipping containers become more popular (they match perfectly with the industrial aesthetic that’s popular right now), builders are getting more creative with container homes. Because in addition to their sleek design, steel containers actually offer some advantages to builders.
These container houses are actually much more durable and long-lasting than some might think. In fact, if shipping containers are taken care of with regular maintenance, just like every home should be, they can last for at least 20 years. They can easily be stacked, welded together, and combined in a variety of creative ways.
So how are tiny home builders putting these after-market containers to use? Here are some of the coolest shipping container houses on the planet:
- Containers of Hope Residence — This container home consists of two 40-foot-long shipping containers and has about 1,000 square feet of beautiful open space. It’s in San Jose, Costa Rica, and only costs around $40,000.
- Six-unit home — This collection of six shipping containers can be found in Flagstaff, Arizona. The home has concrete floors, large glass windows, industrial finishes, red brick stairs, and even a rooftop terrace. The entire construction project took about two years to finish.
- Colorful Sao Paulo shipping container — Rather than building the house from containers, Marcio Kogan, the home’s architect, decided to integrate large, vibrantly colored containers by stacking them all throughout the living area.
- Mojave Desert container home — This is the first-ever shipping container home to be constructed in the Mojave Desert. The 2,300-square-foot house is right by Joshua Tree and is known as the Tim Palen Studio at Shadow Mountain. The home looks amazing, and though it’s large, it only contains one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms.
- Colorado shipping container home — Studio H:T designed this shipping container home with a very creative approach. Rather than construct the home from storage containers, they decided to add two containers to the outside of a pre-existing structure. This hybrid home could be the inspiration for a new class of eco-friendly homes.
Shipping is such a large global business, constituting about 90% of the world’s trade, accounting for more GDP than restaurants, takeaway food, and civil engineering combined in the United Kingdom, and is projected to grow by five percent between 2014 and 2017. The plausibility of re-purposing steel shipping containers into a family-friendly home only grows as more people pursue this kind of project. If you want to learn more about how to construct your own shipping container houses or want to find some high-quality shipping containers for sale, contact Integrated Equipment Sales today. We’d be happy to walk you through how we can make modifications to a container of your choice so that it can be transformed into a housing solution.
In many major cities, it is difficult to secure an office workspace if resources are tight. If you’re in the market for temporary office space or mobile offices, finding a shipping container sales service could present the solution you need. The largest container ship might have cost almost $200 million to construct, but a shipping container office is much more manageable. Let’s review a few reasons you should consider repurposing a shipping container into a mobile office.
An Eco-Friendly Option
The traditional purpose of shipping containers is to house goods while they’re shipped around the world, typically by air or sea. By reusing old storage containers for sale and turning them into spaces that can be used for many more years to come, you’re making the ultimate eco-friendly choice. Building out a new office space might seem like a more business-minded approach, but shipping containers can offer just as much space and security as a brick-and-mortar building. Repurposing used shipping containers makes efficient use of secure space, but it also saves valuable resources.
A Mobile Workspace
Shipping containers are designed to be moved across long distances. So if you have a shipping container office and you need to move, it’s really no problem at all. A shipping container office can be easily transported on the back of a truck or towed on a trailer bed. This means you can take your office just about anywhere it needs to go. Whether there’s construction on your property or it’s time to relocate your family, a mobile shipping container office can follow with ease.
A Customizable Experience
In addition to being sturdy and mobile, shipping containers are also completely customizable. If you need windows or different doors installed, you can do just that. Your shipping container begins as a blank slate that you can customize to fit your office needs however you see fit. Not only does this mean you have complete creative control, but it also means that you won’t have to spend a fortune on brick-and-mortar building renovations or on new building construction.
When you think about it, shipping container offices are a great solution for a number of business location issues. There are several benefits to having a modified office container, as they are versatile in function and customizability. Cargo container modifications entail the additions of windows, lights, air conditioning, and other features necessary to have a decent-sized semi-portable office. So what are the benefits of having one? Below are some of the top reasons for using a storage container for your office:
- Environmentally Friendly: Modified office containers are very Eco friendly because they up-cycle shipping containers, reusing approximately 3,500kg of steel. Additionally, cargo container modifications don’t require very many traditional building materials such as wood, brick, and mortar.
- Very Affordable: It doesn’t matter if you are looking to purchase new or used, these office containers are very affordable. A big reason for that ties into the first benefit we mentioned (eco-friendly). Because there isn’t a need to use tons of extra building materials, shipping containers can be turned into a very affordable office option.
- Quiet and Spacious: Depending on where this office needs to be, having a quiet place to work can be important. Being in the middle of a construction site or other loud areas can make it difficult to concentrate on important tasks. As part of the cargo container modifications, the box can be turned into a soundproof office. Additionally, there are options for shipping container offices from 10 ft and up to 40 ft, giving you plenty of space should you want it.
- Ready to Use: Shipping containers can be modified and ready to use at a moment’s notice. Having a trusted supplier who can help you get what you need out of these storage container office spaces can ensure that you have ready-to-use offices pop up where ever you need them. This eliminates the stress and hassle of having to take a lot of time to set up a traditional office space.
- Massive Customization: Although we can’t promise you anything quite like Bruce Wayne’s Bat Cave, these cargo container modifications make each office hugely adaptable to customize. We already mentioned that you can modify the size and soundproof the office, however, there are many other modifications available too. These modifications can help you create the perfect office environment for your business. Common modifications include dual offices, conference room settings, extra windows, and more.
Best Uses of Cargo Containers
We wanted to give you a little more taste of just how cool some of these cargo container modifications can be. Here is a list of some of our favorite uses of cargo containers:
- Iron Gym: Just to give you an idea of how spacious these can be, consider that there are a lot of people using these for an old-school gym feel. Get the blood pumping while you pump some iron, these gyms are no joke!
- Extra Garage Space: Yup. That’s right. Some people are using these to set up an extra garage or parking space. Maybe you want that garage space for your woodworking and tool shop, or perhaps it is to park your retro car collection. Either way, these containers have plenty of space.
- There’s No Place Like Home: That’s right, cargo containers are even being used as a way to create an eco-friendly, minimalist home. We think this is an incredibly innovative way to get a home up and going, especially for those who need affordable and cost-effective options.
How Else Can Steel Shipping Containers Be Repurposed?
Steel shipping containers are standard all over the world, and the shipping industry uses cargo containers on a large scale. Since they are fireproof, eco-friendly, and watertight, they are no-brainer projects for those looking for temporary structures.
Recycling not only saves money but also helps in repurposing trash and saving the planet in the process. Used shipping containers are useful even if they are empty. One can modify a container into a house or a shed. They could even be broken down to sell the scrap metal. After all, there is an increase in demand for aluminum and steel. Here are additional innovative ways of using steel shipping containers.
Schools
There are parts of the globe where the construction of schools is a problem due to the costs involved. Using shipping containers solves this problem. Schools constructed using shipping containers can make use of renewable sources of energy. Authorities in such areas can have an arrangement with local solar installers to install solar panels to provide power. Such a school can offer educational services just like any other school.
Shipping Container Homes
Cargo container modifications can transform the container into a spacious home. It is an excellent alternative way of increasing the living space in homes. It is a trend that has been gaining attention in the last ten years. If you want to downsize, shipping steel containers is your answer. Nowadays, people are living in smaller houses compared to 20 years ago. Another advantage of using a container to build a home is that it is incredibly affordable.
Greenhouses
Aluminum and steel boxes are good at holding temperatures. At face value, a container can destroy a plant within days, but through some modifications, it can make a perfect greenhouse. You can install glass windows and ceilings. It will create a greenhouse that can be used for many years.
Workshop
If you have access to a steel shipping container, there is no need to hog the space in your garage for your workshop activities. A cargo container’s shape is excellent for creating a workshop. Whatever kind of workshop you need, the container is perfect. You will only require some modifications such as lighting, ventilation, and shelves to transform the container into an excellent workplace.
Container Pop-Up Shop, Cafe or Bar
Containers are sturdy, and their shape and size make them ideal for making pop-up shops, cafes, and bars. With some innovation, you can create an impressive container shop. You can even stack the containers in such a way that they form a multiple-story structure.
Emergency Hospitals
You can create an emergency hospital from shipping containers. It is like an ambulance, but it has more amenities because it is spacious. Not only is it a high-class engineering solution to provide emergency services, but also an excellent way to make use of used cargo containers.
Portable Lavatories
It is common in many countries to repurpose storage containers to portable toilets. It is an innovative way to tackle toilet problems, especially in slums. The portable toilets can be moved from one location to another, depending on hygiene and sanitary needs.
Disaster Accommodations
Large-scale weather disasters displace people from their homes. Steel shipping containers can be used to provide shelter for those who find themselves in between housing situations as a result.
Source of Raw Materials
One shipping container can weigh about 2 tons. When broken down, a lot of raw materials are reusable. The raw materials can create refurbished furniture. The materials can also be sold to steel manufacturers.
If you’re interested in creating a shipping container office of your own, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. The team at Integrated Equipment Sales is more than happy to provide you with a broad selection of different shipping container options. Give us a call today to learn more about the modifications we can make to your container product!
Shipping containers can serve a lot of different purposes. Used shipping container sales could be used for anything from cargo storage to home conversion. It may be necessary, however, to modify your container in certain ways so that it can suit your particular needs. If you need a climate-controlled environment, you might want to consider insulation. Let’s look at why and how to add fiberglass insulation to your container.
Why Fiberglass?
According to Forbes, fiberglass is the least expensive type of insulation material, while still providing excellent insulation from the elements and temperatures, helping to create a climate-controlled environment to suit your needs. Fiberglass is also more environmentally friendly as it is almost 30% made from recycled materials.
Why Insulate?
Insulating will create a distinct separation between the outside and inside conditions of the container. When you insulate you can keep cooled air in and warm air out. It also works in the reverse by keeping warm air in and cold air out. If you will be using the inside of the shipping container for needs that require climate control, insulating the container will be your first order of business. You will not be able to establish a climate-controlled space without insulation. If you attempt to control the climate without insulating, you will wind up using a lot of energy and never truly achieving climate control. A rep at used shipping container sales locations can offer advice on this topic.
You may need to create a climate-controlled environment because you wish to use the space to store cargo that cannot be exposed to extreme temperatures. You might also wish to create a climate-controlled space if the container is going to be used for housing, or if people or animals will be spending any amount of time in the container. In these instances, it is necessary that the space be climate controlled for safety reasons.
Does Regional Climate Matter?
Yes, the regional climate in which the container will be placed matters a lot. Certain areas will have milder climates and thus controlling the climate within the container will be less complicated. The more intense the local climate, the greater your efforts will need to be to control the shipping container climate as well.
If you are looking for used shipping container sales, please contact us today. Our experts will be happy to guide you through the process.
Shipping containers are a great solution to your cargo needs. However, when your cargo requires a climate-controlled environment, it can get a bit trickier. According to Fortune Business Insights, in 2020 alone, the global cargo shipping market size was 10.85 billion tons. Of this cargo, much of it requires climate control. Let’s look at some of the options available when you are looking for climate-controlled shipping containers for sale.
Climate Control Needs
Climate-controlled shipping containers are often used for the storage and transportation of humidity-sensitive or temperature-sensitive products, materials, or equipment. These types of containers are made of the same high-quality materials as other shipping containers but with the added modifications for climate control systems. A quality shipping container manufacturer or provider will have shipping containers for sale that are durable and meet all of your climate control needs.
Refrigerated Containers
One of the most common types of climate-controlled containers is refrigerated containers. These are commonly 40 feet in length and would come equipped with an electric carrier refrigeration machine. This should be capable of maintaining temps below 0 degrees and up to 75 degrees. Most of these models have lockable double doors. Floors should be rated for forklift and pallet jack traffic. This can help to make it easier to move your cargo on and off of the container. This also helps you stay on track with transporting and storing sensitive cargo regardless of the temperatures or elements outside.
HVAC
Another option is containers that have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning available. This option would include the same types of systems you might see in a regular structure, but instead, it is installed on the container. This gives you a lot of choices when it comes to long-term use. This is often used for containers that will stay stationary on a property and be used for the foreseeable future to store climate-sensitive materials, products, or other types of cargo.
Benefits of Climate-Controlled Containers
Shipping containers that don’t have climate control systems can experience extreme fluctuations in temperature. This is okay for some types of cargo, but it could be devastating for other materials. Climate control options allow you greater flexibility when it comes to the transportation and storage of your cargo.
If you need shipping containers for sale that use climate control systems, please contact us today. We will work with you to meet your needs. We understand the importance of keeping your belongings safe from harsh temperatures.
Shipping containers continue to be used for everything imaginable, from container homes to shipping containers, and their popularity continues to grow. In fact, the shipping container market is projected to reach $15.88 billion in 2027! When it comes to a government storage container, multiple regulations must be followed. Let’s review these more closely below.
Security Measures
Government storage containers are used for various purposes, from storing documents to hazardous materials to equipment for the Department of Defense. Containers are regularly inspected to ensure they are secure and do not allow individuals to access the contents without consent.
Little Corrosion
The government consistently reuses containers. While a Department of Defense container might have a small amount of corrosion, this is often the most rust it will tolerate. Shipping containers may transport goods overseas for outdoor storage and in other conditions that worsen deterioration. Because of this, they always opt for the best of the best.
Leak Proof
Government containers containing hazardous materials must meet stringent standards to ensure everyone’s safety. These containers must be made of material or lined with material that will not rust when exposed to hazardous waste. This same safety standard also applies when containers are used for any liquids.
Clean Containers
When the government repurposes containers or purchases used ones, they must be thoroughly cleaned. No liquid or waste can cling to the walls, as it can interact with other things or wind up on assets during shipping. It’s imperative to remember that, due to security reasons, the government often does state what they will be used for, making it all more important to clean them before leasing or selling them.
Environmental Protection
The government, and the shipping containers it uses, must also adhere to regulations that help protect the environment and people around the container. For example, proper ventilation must be installed when sensitive materials are stored to maintain humidity levels. This ensures that the materials remain stable, minimizing the possible explosion risk.
A government storage container is used for various purposes, from temporarily storing confidential materials to shipping assets from the Department of Defense overseas. Because of this, strict regulations for every container must be consistently followed. Contact our team at Integrated Equipment Sales to learn more about our products today.
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