Why Shipping Containers Are For Much more Than Just Storage2914792
Shipping containers are large steel boxes generally 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 efficient transport of consumer products and goods because containers can be transferred from ship-to-ship without getting to reload the ships' cargo bays. They are powerful and tough to protect their contents from harsh sea conditions throughout transport, and it is these characteristics 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 appropriate for storing a range of products. 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 utilizes. Shipping containers can be used as offices, canteens, accommodation, shop rooms, changing rooms, workshops, vehicle storage and a lot more.
The process 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 different sizes and can be stacked, they can be joined together 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 revolutionary utilizes include a student accommodation village in Amsterdam made out of shipping containers. Keetwonen is the biggest accommodation block in the globe 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. However, these fears have proved to be unfounded and the accommodation is spacious, well 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 more quickly 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 options because they last so lengthy. Shipping containers can be hired or bought from specialist suppliers.
