Why Shipping Containers Are For Much more Than Just Storage2350425
Shipping containers are large steel boxes commonly used for the storage and transportation of goods. Many people will be familiar with the large containers seen on cargo ships - nevertheless they can be converted for a variety of surprising uses.
Also recognized 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 much more effective transport of consumer products and goods because containers can be transferred from ship-to-ship with out having to reload the ships' cargo bays. They are strong and tough to protect their contents from harsh sea conditions throughout transport, and it is these traits that make them suitable for uses other than the transport of goods.
To protect goods, containers are weatherproof and resistant to rain and wind. They variety in size from eight foot to 56 foot in length making them suitable for storing a range of products. They can be stacked on top of every other and can be securely locked.
It is their tough nature and variety in sizes that make them appropriate for many other utilizes. Shipping containers can be used as offices, canteens, accommodation, store rooms, changing rooms, workshops, vehicle storage and a lot much more.
The process of customising a container is recognized as a conversion. Common additions include windows, doors, air conditioning, insulation, plumbing, electrics and shelving. Simply because containers come in various sizes and can be stacked, they can be joined with each other to create 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 utilizes include 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, nicely insulated and fantastic value for money.
An additional large shipping container conversion project is 'BoxPark', a shopping centre constructed from containers in London. The development costs are low so these savings can be passed on to the shop tenants. It can also be built far much more rapidly 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 because they last so lengthy. Shipping containers can be hired or purchased from specialist suppliers.
