It is said that a shipping container is tough enough to outlive the workers that built it. Decades ago, the advent of these containers to transport cargo revolutionised transportation in the shipping industry. A few years later, shipping containers began to be employed in modern architecture. Reason being, shipping containers has many benefits to it. From cold storage to residential purposes, they find multiple uses today. The reason is simple: they were sturdy and could endure the harshest of conditions. Before you buy a shipping container, if you want to know how tough and durable they really are, read on.
Stack-ability
Shipping containers have a modular structure and hence can be stacked on top of each other. For this reason, they are often preferred for building houses and offices. As many as eight fully loaded containers can be stacked on top of each other, provided they are locked together. Containers can take more than 60 tons of weight on each corner.
Sturdy flooring
Many people buy shipping containers for building homes also because their flooring is made of hardwood plywood. This makes them capable of taking massive weights easily. They can easily undergo loading and unloading about 6,000 times. However, manufacturers are using hardwood less due to ecological and shortage-related reasons. Bamboo, being fast-growing and abundant, is being used as an alternative. It is also more resistant to water damage and corrosion. Depending on the purpose, the container can be repurposed to have steel-based or Linoleum style flooring.
Prepared for inclement weather
Shipping containers are designed to withstand frequent storms and inclement weather on turbulent seas. For the same reason, many people around coastal areas buy shipping containers to build homes. They are made with a special variety of steel, called Cor-Ten steel, and subsequently coated with weatherproof paint. Cor-Ten steel is also used in the manufacturing of facades, building panels and sculptures. The mechanism behind the corrosion resistance is that the first millimeter is allowed to corrode and form a protective barrier. Several coats of waterproofing paint ensure that the steel surface is not exposed to the elements for a number of years.
How tough are used shipping containers?
Used shipping containers are pieces retired, after multiple trips or even earlier. Despite typical damage, like dents, cracks and scratches, they are usually tough for use. Buy shipping containers that are one-trip old and you will receive almost new containers.
One-trip containers
As mentioned above, they are almost new, although with a few scratches here and there. They have usually been used for transporting cargo once. Your shipping container site will often have them listed as ‘like new’ or ‘new’. Make sure the one-trip container you are buying is made of Cor-Ten steel.
As-is container
These are the most economical option available in the shipping container market. They are usually the most worn containers and have a fair amount of leak and damage. They could also carry some amount of rust and more than one shipping label. However, refurbishing them can prepare them to be used for a longer period of time.
