Why Shipping Containers Are For Much more Than Just Storage6037725
Shipping containers are large steel boxes commonly used for the storage and transportation of goods. Many people will be familiar with the large containers noticed on cargo ships - however they can be converted for a variety of surprising uses.
Also known as intermodal freight containers, they are designed to be moved without unloading and reloading their contents. They can be transported on cargo ships, lorries and by rail. Their use in international trade has led to more efficient transport of customer products and goods simply because containers can be transferred from ship-to-ship without getting to reload the ships' cargo bays. They are strong and tough to shield their contents from harsh sea conditions during transport, and it is these traits that make them suitable for utilizes other than the transport of goods.
To shield goods, containers are weatherproof and resistant to rain and wind. They range in size from 8 foot to 56 foot in length making them appropriate for storing a variety of items. They can be stacked on top of each other and can be securely locked.
It is their tough nature and variety in sizes that make them suitable for many other uses. Shipping containers can be used as offices, canteens, accommodation, store rooms, altering rooms, workshops, vehicle storage and a lot much more.
The procedure of customising a container is known as a conversion. Common additions consist of windows, doors, air conditioning, insulation, plumbing, electrics and shelving. Because containers come in different sizes and can be stacked, they can be joined together to produce custom size buildings with multi-levels joined by internal or external staircases. Side doors or curtains, roller shutters, ramps, generators and humidity controls can be added to give the container a different purpose.
Large scale innovative uses consist of a student accommodation village in Amsterdam made out of shipping containers. Keetwonen is the greatest accommodation block in the world to be made out of shipping containers. The preconception was that the rooms would be small, impersonal and either too cold or as well hot. Nevertheless, these fears have proved to be unfounded and the accommodation is spacious, well insulated and great worth for money.
An additional large shipping container conversion project is 'BoxPark', a shopping centre built from containers in London. The development expenses are low so these savings can be passed on to the shop tenants. It can also be built far more quickly than a standard shopping mall.
Not all conversion projects are so large although. Shipping containers can be fantastic value as single permanent or temporary building solutions simply because they last so lengthy. Shipping containers can be hired or purchased from specialist suppliers.
