5/7/2018 0 Comments How to Prolong the Life of Shipping Containers for Sale and When to Replace ThemShipping containers, no matter how sturdy they maybe, are not made to last. Sooner or later, you’ll find signs of deterioration that either needs immediate repair or indicates the need for a new one. Especially if you are using these containers for transporting goods, you have to be quick in deciding whether to continue using them or buy new units. How Long Do Shipping Containers Last?
Before making up your mind, make sure that you know how long the average container last. Well, the most accurate answer to that question is “it depends.” Shipping containers have different lifespans for different users. Depending on how they are handled, shipping containers can last from 10 to 25 years. The ones that are not in heavy use normally last longer, well over 50 years provided they are properly cared for. There are other factors that affect the longevity of shipping containers. These include the type of metal they are made of, the types of products stored in them, and the risks involved during each trip they make at sea, and what types of damage they have sustained. If you want to be sure about your decision on whether or not to replace your shipping containers, you should factor all of these in. How to Prolong the Lifespan of Shipping Containers Of course, you want to make the most out of your investment, which is why you would definitely do your best to extend the functional life of your shipping containers. Well, the good news is, there are many easy ways to achieve this. The most important one is to keep it as moisture-free as possible from the inside out. Moisture and the rest of substances that contain oxygen are the number one enemy of metals, particularly the non-ferrous ones. Although shipping containers for sale in Houston are made from tough steel, that metal still contains iron, which is the base element for all ferrous metals. When exposed to moisture, oxygen combines with iron to form rust. To prevent the formation of rust on your shipping containers, make sure that their surfaces are properly sealed with paint. The paint to use, especially on the exterior, must be strong enough to withstand rough weather. Luckily, there are many shipping container suppliers that offer high-quality, well-coated and sealed units that you can definitely rely on. These boxes are also made from high-grade steel so you can expect that they will last for a very long time without rusting. However, when you see signs of damage that you are sure to be unfixable, consider replacing them with new units to secure your goods. Find a trusted supplier in Texas, such as Equipment Management Services. About Equipment Management Services: As a leading provider of shipping container supplier in Houston, Equipment Management Services is committed to providing only the highest quality shipping containers to the consumers. Whether you need a brand new or used unit, we’ve got you covered. We even offer modification to help you come up with the design you want right away. Visit our off dock maintenance and storage facilities in Houston to find the shipping containers you need for your business. Source: How Long Will My Shipping Container Home Last For, containerhomeplans.org
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5/3/2018 0 Comments Some of the Best Types of Shipping Containers for Sale You Should Use for Your Business in TexasIf you’re planning to put up an import/export business in Texas soon, you should look into the various types of shipping containers for sale available in Houston. Knowing the differences between each type of shipping container will allow you to pick just the right one for your needs. Below are some of the types you might want to examine. All-Purpose Container
More commonly known as “dry container”, this type of shipping container is fully enclosed with an opening on only one of the smaller sides. This is the most common type of shipping container you will find at the docks, plausibly because it can safely store a vast array of products. They even come with adaptations, such as liner bags or flexi-tanks for shipping certain types of bulk cargo. If you have specific needs that other types of shipping container cannot meet, you can simply buy dry containers and modify them to your desired structure. Open Top For cargo that is taller than a standard shipping container, your best option is an open top container. This one has a convertible roof, which you can remove and reinstall. It is also ideal for products that cannot be easily loaded through the door. To prevent your cargo from shaking and getting damaged, lashing rings are installed on the upper and lower side rails and corner posts. Since the roof of this container is open, you need to improvise a temporary roof to protect your products from the elements. Open Side It’s not just the top portion of a shipping container that can be made convertible, but the side walls, too. Depending on the type of product you need to load in it, you can open either the smaller or the bigger sides. This makes loading and unloading much easier since you have a wider access of the inside. Like other types of shipping container, open side containers come in 20’ and 40’ so they can support long or large volumes of cargo. ISO Reefer If you are delivering temperature-sensitive goods, such as fresh meat, seafood, fruits, chocolate, wine, vegetables, or even flowers to a distant state or country, you need a reefer. This type of shipping container is designed with a cooling or heating system. To keep your goods safe and well-preserved, make sure that your reefer is ISO-certified. You also need to consult with an experienced shipper to learn how to properly control the temperature. Tank Container When transporting fluids, such as gasoline and crude oil, a special container is required. Normally, this is not the typical metal box offered by shipping container suppliers. Oil companies that export products via shipping wants their products to be readily available for use by distributors so they put it in tanks of their own design and mount those tanks in a specially designed shipping container, called tank container. This container type consists of tough and corrosion-resistant steel. There are many other types of shipping containers that you may find useful for your business. Make sure that the ones you will purchase are the most efficient options. Meaning, they can provide safe storage and quick access for your products. No other shipping container supplier can provide you with the units you need aside from Equipment Management Services, which has an off-dock shipping container maintenance and storage facility in Houston. About Equipment Management Services: Of the many shipping container suppliers in Texas, Equipment Management Services is arguably the most reliable because of the huge selection of products available on their on- and off- dock storage and maintenance facilities in the Houston area. Whether you are shipping goods or building homes, you deserve high-quality products, which you can only find from us. Source: The Climate-Controlled Shipping Containers That Transport Our Food Are Called Reefers, slate.com 4/16/2018 0 Comments Basic Things about Shipping Containers for Sale that Start-up Import/Export Business Owners Should KnowGlobal trade began thousands of years ago but it’s only half a century ago when it became truly efficient, thanks to the invention of shipping containers. These are metal boxes specifically designed to store goods that are to be transported overseas or from coast to inland. In the past, goods were loaded on ships in nothing more than crates and baskets. Constant movement as the ship rocks often damage these goods, sometimes rendering them unusable as soon as they reach the dock. With today’s shipping containers, product damage has been minimized if not completely prevented. Some containers are even designed to produce a temperature controlled environment for particularly delicate products to last the long journey. If you’re planning to go global with your business, you need to invest in high-quality shipping containers. An emphasis on quality is crucial, as not all containers on the market may meet your standards. But before you go looking for boxes, it helps to do a little research first. Knowing what you’re looking for and where the best versions can be found can save you a great deal of time and money. Container Sizes
Shipping containers come in different sizes to meet different cargo needs. Depending on your needs, you can choose between these two sets of sizes. Standard Sizes. Most shipping containers measure 20 feet (6.09 meters), 40 feet (12.18 meters), 45 feet (14.6 meters) and 53 feet (16.15 meters). Since your business is just starting up, it will be practical to choose a smaller size. The main benefit of choosing these standard sizes is that they can easily be loaded to ships, trains, and trailers because most loaders are designed to the same standard measures. It even makes them interchangeable between shipping companies. Customized. Of course, if you think the standard sizes don’t suit your needs, you can choose to customize. Doing so, however, doesn’t come cheap. You’ll have to use a customized trailer as well and you’ll to do all the hard work. Whereas, if your containers are of the standard sizes, the shipping company will most likely handle the delivery from port to port as well as from port to your property. Container Types Shipping containers also come in different structures, and for a number of good reasons. One is that some types of cargo require special handling or loading technique, which makes the regular one-side opening practically unhelpful, so other sides are made to open and close as well. Sometimes, the cargo is too tall to fit to the shipping container, so the top of the container is left open. If the cargo is too long, the opening needs to be on the longer side rather than on the shorter one. There are many other things about shipping containers for sale that you should know, especially if your products require special handling and storage. A trip to a trusted shipping container supplier in Houston, such as Equipment Management Services, is a good way to start. They can give you all the information you need to start your import/export business on solid ground. About Equipment Management Services. When it comes to shipping containers, the best place to secure quality units for your business is Equipment Management Services. For decades, we’ve contributed to the local and international trade by providing high-quality shipping containers to businesses of all sorts. We operate one of the largest off-dock shipping container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston, Texas, so you can definitely find the right type and size for your shipping needs. Source: Essentials of Container Shipping, thebalancesmb.com 3/2/2018 0 Comments The Correct Way to Turn Shipping Containers for Sale into a Safe Underground BunkerEvery time someone mentions using shipping containers as an underground bunker, everyone warns that it’s dangerous. We’ve all heard horror stories about bunkers collapsing when buried underground. Although shipping containers aren’t built to take on weight and pressure along its sides, with proper modification and reinforcement, they can be made into good bunkers. Take note that these modifications are best carried out by professionals, but it doesn’t hurt to know what they would do. Here are the necessary steps to take when building a secure, safe, and sturdy underground bunker using a shipping container: Step 1: The Excavation Process
Digging a hole in your backyard using just a shovel is not a good idea. Hiring the right people who can operate heavy machinery like a backhoe is the best way to excavate deeper and wider holes. Machines create a more even and smoother hole with lesser risks of caving in, plus it also requires less manual labor. Makes sure the whole is a little wider and deeper than the actual size of the shipping container. This gives it the extra room for the external modifications needed to strengthen the bunker. Step 2: Metal Container Wall Reinforcement All the best shipping containers are made from Corten steel, also known as weathering steel because of its ability to withstand external forces, wear and tear, and rusting. Although very strong and sturdy, the metal walls aren’t very thick because the boxes are built for stacking on top of each other. Before burying the shipping container, request for the supplier to modify the walls by adding thickness and insulation. This will make the box sturdier and be able to handle the pressure of being buried underground. Step 3: External Reinforcements One of the best ways to alleviate the weight and pressure around the containers is to add reinforcement and support outside the wall. This can be done by adding long and thick wooden planks along the sides and the roof of the box before burying it. Make sure that there is no space in between the planks for dirt to enter as this will affect its reinforcing capability. Step 4: Waterproofing Water entering the box is also a big issue with underground bunkers. The moment rain starts to pour, water will begin to collect inside the Conex box and destroy all your hard work. Speak to your trusted shipping container supplier about waterproofing options. Ask about specifically turning a container into a safe and habitable underground bunker. Don’t Risk It, Speak to Professionals First Building an underground bunker how some people prepare for emergency situations. However, building your own using shipping containers from Texas without doing more research or speaking to the experts at Equipment Management Services can put your project and yourself at risk. At EMS, there are trained experts who are equipped and knowledgeable about all types of shipping container modifications. Getting their expert opinion about burying shipping containers for sale and how to do so safely is the best way to ensure nothing bad happens to you and your efforts are not wasted. Sources: Underground Seacan Emergency Quarters, Instructables.com Burying the Box, SHTF Shipping Container Tips, Prepper-Resources.com Shipping containers are made sturdy and durable so that they can survive long and rough journeys at sea. Even units that are considered “old” or “used” can last at least 10 more years before finally crumbling and being deemed unfit for use. How is this possible? Here’s an inside look at the process that is responsible for producing extra durable shipping containers.
The Walls All shipping containers for sale in Texas start off as a giant roll of metal sheet. This sheet is cut into smaller panels of varying sizes to make walls for the containers. Then the panels go through sandblasting and corrugation, which gives shipping containers their signature wave-like exterior. Once processing is done, the panels are welded together to form a box. The top and bottom of the box are braced with square tubing for added support. In most cases, these tubes play an important role in moving the box from one place to another. The Floor Frame The shipping container’s floor is typically made of two long I-beams placed perpendicular to the bottom of the structure with smaller I-beams welded in between them for better stability. After welding all the beams to form the container’s frame, the joints are grinded to smooth out rough and sharp surfaces. The Doors, Corner Posts, and Roof Depending on the type of shipping container being assembled, the design may include two doors. These doors are cut according to size, encased inside steel tubing, and finally sanded down for a smooth finish. No strong shipping container is possible without its sturdy corner posts. Welded securely to the I-beams, these posts are responsible for carrying most of the weight when the metal boxes are directly stacked over each other. Finally, to complete the structure the roof is added and a shipping container is almost done! The Priming and Painting To extend the lifespan of a shipping container, it needs several layers of paint. The first layer is called the primer; this ensures that the next layers of paint stick to the metal surface while also providing an extra coat of protection. The best paint to use for the succeeding layers are waterproof paint to prevent early rust formation. Finishing the Floors Many manufacturers add varnished marine plywood as the interior floor. This material is sturdy and water-resistant, which means it can hold a lot of weight without giving out and keep the bottom dry. They are screwed on to ensure they do not dislodge when in use. Waterproofing When all the parts are ready, the entire shipping container is sprayed with a waterproof sealant. This will protect the boxes from water damage and help it last longer along with the products it contains. The Job of Suppliers Finished shipping containers are delivered to suppliers. Reputable supplier, such as Equipment Management Services, usually partner with leading manufacturers to ensure that the products they provide are of the highest quality. Whether you need high-grade shipping containers for shipping goods or for structural purposes, it pays to get them from a reputable supplier. Not only will their units last longer, but they will keep whatever that is being stored in them safe from infestation and contamination. Sources: How Are Shipping Containers Made?, MarineInsight.com How Are Shipping Containers Made?, ContianerHomePlans.org 1/4/2018 0 Comments Shipping Containers for Sale in Houston: How to Keep Your Home Cool in Warm WeatherOne of the many challenges faced when building a container home is to keep the inside comfortably cool when the heat rises outside. In an area like Houston that experiences few days with precipitation and an abundance of sunny days every year, temperatures can reach up to 96 degrees at the height of summer. Without taking the necessary measures when planning and building, living in your modular home could feel like getting trapped in a hot box.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home suitable for hot climates. See if your supplier can help you make these modifications to shipping containers for sale before you proceed with construction. Install Reflective Roofing Roofing will serve as your first line of defense against the scorching sun, so it’s important to choose the material wisely. Traditional asphalt roofing won’t do you any good since the natural dark color will just absorb the heat and transmit it through your home. Wood shingle roofing, while very stylish, doesn’t contribute much by way of heat reduction. Metal roofing, on the other hand, is very affordable and it bounces the heat right back. Treated metal, in particular, actually just reflects the heat back right out into the atmosphere without it ever making it into your house. Design a Ventilation System Ventilation also plays an important role in keeping temperature at an ideal level. Installing an air conditioning unit or two is a given, but the design of your home should also allow the cool outside air to enter and the hot inside air to be expelled. This way, you can save some money by reducing your electric bills. Passive ventilation using vents and windows at night should do the trick, but you can also adapt an electric powered mechanical ventilation system with extractor fans and dehumidifiers. Placing box fans at north facing windows can also let in the cool northern breeze faster. Put in Low-E Coated Windows Windows are great sources of natural lighting and an outlet to push out hot air at night, but they can just as easily let the heat in. Especially during the day, it’s best to just keep them closed and crank up the AC. If you want to keep the feverish heat out for good, however, invest in windows with Low-E coatings. Heat can still penetrate regular glass, but applying a reflective Low-E film can stop it from entering completely. As an added precaution and aesthetic appeal, you may also put in some shades or blinds and curtains over your windows. With summer still months away, now is the perfect time to implement these changes in your home. Companies that offer modification services may be able to help you. About Equipment Management Services Equipment Management Services is a company that offers a large selection of shipping containers at affordable prices. With two off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston, we are more than capable of meeting all the needs of our clients. Get in touch with us and let our highly experienced team of professionals help you with your projects. Sources: Which Climates Are Suitable For Shipping Container Homes?, ContainerHomePlans.org 32 Great Tips for Building Shipping Container Homes, InterestingEngineering.com 1/2/2018 0 Comments Repurposing Shipping Containers for Sale in Houston and Other Ways to Make Your Modular Home GreenerLooking to build a greener home? Instead of using cement and bricks—products of an industry considered as one of the biggest producers of CO2—look to shipping containers for sale in Houston instead. Container architecture helps reduce the world’s carbon footprint by saving energy that would otherwise be used to transport empty, unused containers back to their origin where they might just get melted anyway. Even worse, melting one standard 40-feet containers uses up roughly 8000 kWh. Just think about the exorbitant waste of energy if that happens to hundreds of thousands of containers sitting idly in ports today.
Building a modular home in and of itself is an eco-friendly practice, but there are other ways to make the construction have less impact on the environment as possible. Talk to your supplier about these modifications. Use Alternative Insulation The ideal container home needs to be properly insulated for the comfort of its inhabitants. However, don’t just settle for the traditional fiberglass blanket insulation for the roof. Alternatives made from cotton, recycled newspaper, and straw are just as effective and more environment-friendly. Be sure to have the walls, roof and the floor of your container for best results. Install Solar Panels They may not be cheap, but solar panels are great investments that pay for themselves in the long run. Depending on the climate and placement of the panels, you can save hundreds of dollars in electricity consumption. It’s best if your container home has a south facing roof so you can get clear sunlight from around 10 AM to 4 PM. Fit Double Glazed Windows Many modular home owners today opted for larger windows to make the most of the natural lighting. If you want to follow their example, make sure that your supplier fits your home with double glazed windows or at least upgrade single glazed windows. Doing so will help reduce your heating usage significantly. Source Materials Locally Buying your materials locally will not only cut down your overall construction expenses, but also make your home that much more eco-friendly. This is because locally sourced materials don’t need to be transported from a long way off. For example, if you want wood flooring for your home, try to look for suppliers that use trees native to Seattle like some varieties of oak, cedar and birch. Eco-friendly container homes can be built at a fraction of the price and time it takes to construct a traditional brick-and-mortar house. If you’re interested in these perks, reach out to suppliers of quality shipping containers. About Equipment Management Services Equipment Management Services is a container sales company serving Houston. With over 20,000 shipping containers, a dedicated team of 50 employees and two full-scale depots, we aim to meet the needs of all our clients. EMS provides both new and used containers of varying sizes as well as rental, modification and depot services. Contact our capable team today to request a quote or answer any questions you may have about our services. Sources: Old Shipping Containers Given New Life as Stylish Eco-Friendly Homes, MyModernMet.com 15 Ways To Make Your Shipping Container Home More Eco-Friendly, ContainerHomePlans.org People have become very creative with their use of shipping containers. Whereas before it was only used for shipping and freight forwarding, now there are so many other things you can repurpose it for. No wonder that the demand for shipping containers for sale in Houston and other areas of the country have been on the rise in the past several years.
Whatever your objective may be for buying shipping containers, keep in mind these factors that you should take into consideration before committing to a purchase. Determine Its End Use This is an important thing for you to settle right away because a lot of other variables will rely on this information. The size and type of containers, for example, can best be decided if you have a clear idea as to what you intend to do with it. If you’re looking to build a house with it, you’d want to get something that's bigger in length and height. Multi-level structures can also use an open-top container to minimize cutting container roofs for openings to the second-level. For expandable space, containers with side openings can work too. Basically, as long as you have a clear vision of what you want to do with the shipping container, you should have an easier time finding the right one for you. Check Local Zoning Policies Some people, in their excitement to buy their cargo containers, fail to check if their local community will allow it to be brought in, in the first place. Save yourself the hassle of buying a steel Conex container only to find out later that it’s not going to be accepted in your area. First find out if your locality is one of those areas that may have restrictions about the kind of building materials that can be used. This is also a real consideration especially for people who live in areas where everything must look identical, for instance, the suburbs. You may also need to get permission from the local city council before you can bring in your shipping container. Checking the local zoning laws that apply to your community beforehand should help avoid many problems. Decide If You’ll Buy New or Used Buying a new or used shipping container will come with its own pros and cons. Brand new containers will obviously come at a much higher price then used shipping containers. However, the obvious benefit of buying a brand-new container is that it will be of much higher quality and will be ensured for longer durability. There are those shipping containers that have hardly been used, so are technically brand new and can be purchased at a much lower price. However, make sure to perform a careful inspection of the used container unit before purchase to ensure everything checks out. Whatever your decision will be, just make sure to get in touch with a reputable supplier such as Equipment Management Services, so you can be sure of the cargo containers quality. EMS serves the Houston, Dallas, and Seattle areas. About Equipment Management Services: Equipment Management Services is a reputable supplier of new and used shipping containers. We not only cater to companies with freight forwarding and logistic needs, but also construction, and mom and pop businesses. We are based in Houston, but we also serve Dallas and Seattle areas. Sources: Complete Guide to Buying Shipping Containers. ContainerHomePlans.org. 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy a Shipping Container. OffGridWorld.com. 11/8/2017 0 Comments Urban Farming: Three Reasons to Turn Shipping Containers for Sale into Portable GreenhousesIn pursuit of food security and sustainable ways to grow produce, many green-thumbed gardeners are now trying their hand at urban farming. Nowadays, it’s not that unusual to find an entire farm in a backyard or a greenhouse right beside a local restaurant. In fact, the urban farming movement is now so popular that people who grow vegetables and fruits in cities produce about 15 to 20 percent of the world’s food, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
One of the trends in modern agriculture is creating futuristic farms out of repurposed shipping containers. It’s a great start for city-dwellers who want to build their greenhouses for more than one reason. Ease of Transport Portability is perhaps the biggest advantage of shipping containers in this regard. With the right modifications, you can set it up practically anywhere and start growing produce immediately. More importantly, this ease of transport benefits millions of Americans in urban areas who don’t have access to stores that sell fresh vegetables. Since the food doesn’t spend a lot of days in transit, it will have a longer shelf life, better taste, and reduced cost. People will have more incentive to eat healthier if good food can be found right in their neighborhood. Widely Available Because shipping is one of the most dynamic industries in the whole world, there’s no shortage of shipping containers anywhere you go. In fact, there are at least more than 700,000 unused containers in the U.S. alone. Imagine the impact it could have on the economy if all of them were put to better use, such as hydroponics. An abundant supply usually means cheaper selling prices too, especially if you’re interested in used containers. Whether your indoor agriculture techniques call for stacking them up high or laying them side by side, you can do it within a budget of few thousand bucks. Modular and Modifiable Both new and used shipping containers for sale can be easily modified to fit the unique requirements of modern farming. This will allow you to grow and harvest year round, regardless of the weather conditions outside. Perfectly leveled platforms, drainage lines, insulation, ventilation, racks or shelves, irrigation systems and lighting are some of the elements that make up a great greenhouse. If you are so inclined, you can make the changes yourself, but finding a supplier who offers modification services is ideal. The less work you have to do on your own means more time spent planting crops. Making greenhouses from shipping containers gives the term “farm-to-table” a whole new meaning. Work with a reputable container company today to learn about your options. Equipment Management Services, for instance, operates reputable off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston, Dallas and Seattle. About Equipment Management Services Equipment Management Services is a local container sales company operating in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle. With more than 20,000 containers on the ground they can cater to all shipping needs. In addition to selling and renting out new and used containers, they also offer container modification and depot services. Sources: Turning Shipping Containers Into Urban Farms, SmithsonianMag.com The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Container Farms, Medium.com |
about usEquipment Management Services is an independent, family-owned business that specializes in supplying shipping containers to businesses and individuals looking to buy or rent them. We offer a range of containers for cargo and storage, and we also operate off-dock container facilities in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle areas with a combined 80-acre footprint. Our business is founded on providing outstanding customer satisfaction with quality products and services, plus fair prices to match. We have a multiple ‘Depot of the Year’ awards under our belt as proof of our stern focus on customer service. You can rely on us for all your new and used storage container needs. Archives
November 2018
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