Six Great Ways to Use Surplus Shipping Containers

Over the last few years exports in the U.S. have dropped off. This has left many shipping yards and shipping container retailers with extra used containers. Surplus shipping containers, known for their cheap prices, are reusable in a multitude of ways. Here are six of the best uses.

Shipping containers of any size make a great place to store items for either your business or your home. Solid steel containers are known for their ability to protect goods. When they were used for overseas shipping they had to endure harsh seas, corrosive salt water, being stacked upon one another, and even strong winds. So their use on dry land is perfect for ensuring that your most valuable of items are safe from Mother Nature. You can even have a locking door mounted to keep potential thieves from stealing your belongings. Using a container for item storage is as simple as purchasing one, having it delivered and moving your items in.

Surplus containers are also great a great low cost way to move or ship your personal belongings. Maybe you just got a new job in Paris and you want to take along your grandmother's antique desk. Buying a used container can be a great way to get your items safely to your destination. They are also great for land based moves. You can rent or buy a container and even rent a chassis to carry it on. Once you fill it up and attach it to the back of your truck you are ready to go. This is great if when you get to your new location you do not want to unpack everything at once. You can just leave the items in your container until you are ready for them.

Small businesses and offices can also benefit from the utilization of various shipping container sizes. These sturdy boxes make great office space. You will, of course, have to make some changes such as adding electricity and windows. This would even be a great idea for your new pyrex glassware store. With a few container modifications, you can set your container up anywhere and start selling your products. This is good because if you find one location does not work for sales, you can move to another location.

Containers also provide the option for extra room in overcrowded schools. They can be a cheap way for schools to get by until they can afford to build an addition. Shipping containers, with windows, power, and heating and cooling installed, can provide comfortable classrooms. In schools, containers can also be used to keep harmful cleaning chemicals or equipment away from children.

One area that is an unknown use for containers is in wilderness areas. Because some containers are refrigerated units run by generators, they can keep large food supplies safe from the elements and from wild animals. Containers can also be used for forest ranger sheds and rest areas.

Perhaps the best use of surplus shipping containers is for cheap shelter. This is especially beneficial in areas with a high homeless rate. Those who need shelter can use an insulated container to keep warm in the winter. Usually, though, containers are converted to permanent houses with electricity, running water, and heating. Use in this manner provides lost cost homes for many people.

Storage Container Foundations: Part 1, Wood Beam

Once you've decided to purchase a shipping container and convert it into a storage unit, it's important to decide where it's going to be placed. A solid foundation for your container isn't an absolute requirement for your container, along with making keeping it stable and square, it can greatly reduce your storage units exposure to moisture and the corrosion that follows. Depending on your budget and the length of time that you expect the container to remain in it's place there are several options available to you. The three most common are: wooden beams, concrete slabs, and concrete footings. In this article, we will discuss wood beam footings.

This article provides a general outline for building a suitable foundation. Before you undertake a project like this on your own it's always important to check with a professional to make sure that there are no environmental or other issues that must be considered in your planning.

Wooden Beam Footings

Materials Required:

• Rail road ties, treated 4"x4" Wood beams, or similar skids.
• Loose stone or grave for a gravel bed.
• Spade shovel, gloves, etc.

Wooden beam footings are the least expensive, easiest to install, and the better than leaving your storage container rest on the ground. With minimal site preperation they can be installed shortly before your container is delivered. Before you start, you'll need pressure or oil treated rail road ties or skids, and loose stone or gravel; both of which can purchase from most local lumber yards or at Home Depot. Since steel containers get their support from their frame, you'll only need enough material to support in the four corners. If you'd like extra stability, you can also place support at the middle points on the long side of the container.

Begin to build your foundation by laying out your area and digging a 4" to 6" gravel bed at each end, the length of the end. The gravel bed will provide necessary drainage to keep the beams dry and prevent any premature rotting. Once the gravel beds are in place you can lay out your beams accordingly. It's best to have your container at least 6" off the ground to allow for air circulation. Skirting or fencing can be installed later if you are in an area where there are small animals that may decide to take residence under your storage unit.

Once your container arrives the lift or truck can place it on the ties, however it may require some adjustments to keep your foundation in the proper place.

Part 2: Concrete Fotting Container Foundation

Part 3: Concrete Slab Container Foundation

This article was contributed by ContainerAuction.com, where you can find shipping containers for sale.

Link to article: Storage Container Foundations: Part 1, Wood Beam

Shipping Container Modifications: Types of Doors

It's very common for a person buying a used shipping container to request to have a door installed. The first question volleyed back is, "What type of door do you need?" Invariable, the response is always "What are my choices?" The most common types of doors installed on shipping or storage containers are roll up doors, and standard "man doors". Depending on what you intend to move in and out of the container, you'll need to decide which is the better option for you. Also, it's important to note that shipping containers, by design, are wind and water tight. Modifying a shipping container in any way can compromise the integrity of the box and special attention should be made to insure that the modification is properly sealed.

Roll Up Doors: Roll up doors do just what they claim to, and that's roll up and out of the way. These doors are typically made of aluminum, or in some cases vinyl, and are very convenient if you have limited space available inside of your storage container. The main concerns with roll up doors are security and durability. They tend not to be as secure as a man door or standard ISO door, and because of the moving parts they are exposed to more wear over their life time. Roll up doors typically range from 6' to 12' wide.

Man Doors: Man doors are the convetional swinging style door. They require more room for movement, but in return the can offer greater strength and security. A standard man door is 84"x36", and there are also industrial grade, heavy duty man doors available at some depots. Industrial grade doors are also 84"x36" and can be 3 hour fire rated. Many depots also offer custom door sizes to better meet your needs. It's best to have an idea of the approximate dimensions when contacting the seller or depot about what type of door you'll need.

Door Type	Size	Description	Approximate Cost	Picture
Roll Up	6' - 12' wide	Aluminum or vinyl, requires little room and leaves more room for storage.	$650 - $850
Man Door - Standard	84"x36"	Standard type swining door. More secure than a rool up, but requires room for movement.	$650 - $850
Man Door - Industrial Grade	84"x36"	Stronger and more secure than a standard door, can be fire rated.	Varies

If you intend to have a door installed it's best to communicate with the person or company selling the shipping container, or the staff at ContainerAuction.com. In many circumstances the modifications can be done at the depot before it's delivered to your location, however prices for services and modifications vary from depot to depot.