Why Shipping Containers Are For More Than Just Storage1315844
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 - however they can be converted for a variety of surprising uses.
Also recognized as intermodal freight containers, they are designed to be moved with out 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 because containers can be transferred from ship-to-ship without having to reload the ships' cargo bays. They are strong and durable to protect their contents from harsh sea conditions throughout transport, and it is these traits that make them appropriate for uses other than the transport of goods.
To shield 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 items. They can be stacked on top of every other and can be securely locked.
It is their durable nature and range in sizes that make them appropriate for many other uses. Shipping containers can be used as offices, canteens, accommodation, store rooms, altering rooms, workshops, car storage and a lot more.
The procedure of customising a container is recognized as a conversion. Typical 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 objective.
Large scale revolutionary 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 as well cold or too 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 built 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 more rapidly than a standard shopping mall.
Not all conversion projects are so large though. Shipping containers can be fantastic worth as single permanent or temporary building solutions simply because they last so long. Shipping containers can be hired or purchased from specialist suppliers.
