Whether you are planning to build a home, office, or restaurant with shipping containers, you have to make sure that the units you’ll use are suitable for the job. While most shipping containers look the same, they actually have subtle differences that can have a huge effect on the outcome of your project. Careful selection will prevent surplus and help make the finished structure last long. Here are the most important factors you should consider during the selection process.

Conex Boxes Are a Great Choice of Base Material for Many Builders

 

Type and Design of the Structure to Build

Everything about the project, especially the shipping containers, will depend on the type and design of the structure to be built. For instance, if the structure is designed to have two floor levels, then additional columns, beams, and girders may be necessary aside from merely the shipping containers. The size of the structure matters, too, as it will determine the size and number of boxes to be used. Shipping containers come in 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft length and cost differently so it would help to choose just the right size.

Shipping containers are also classified according to their opening mechanism. Some open just on one side, while others open on two or more sides. This is a crucial factor to consider because it can help ease the job of cutting the container walls for window and door installation. As an example, it would be much easier to just remove the doors of an open size container than to cut the walls of a dry container just for window installation.

 

Brand New or Used

You have to decide whether you should use brand new shipping containers or used based on several factors. Is the structure you are building going to be for temporary use only? How much are you willing to fork out? Is your area constantly battered by calamities that may pose risk on buildings? All of these questions have to be answered before you can decide between new and used containers. If you want to save money, then used shipping containers may be the better bet. After all, there are many used units that are still in great condition or may be restored with minimal repair.

 

Finding a Supplier

Shipping containers are items that you don’t see in many places. They are usually found near docks in the Houston area. That’s where you should go if you want to find high-quality units. However, some suppliers, such as Equipment Management Services, have managed to expand their business so vastly that they operate even off-dock shipping container storage and maintenance facilities. You can rely on these suppliers for all your conex box and shipping container needs, too.

 

Sources:

16 Types of Container Units and Designs for Shipping Cargo, marineinsight.com

Should You Build With New or Used Shipping Containers?, containerhomeplans.org