Florida Shipping Containers Blog

Are Shipping Containers Airtight?

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:55:19 GMT

An airtight shipping container: is it possible?

Shipping or storage containers are trusted boxes in terms of transferring valuable things to different places. You will be secure that any goods that are inside of it won’t be stolen or be damaged no matter what the weather condition will be because it is made in “corten steel” also known as weathering steel - a special high-quality type of steel that is also known for its strength, practicality, durability, and aesthetic characteristics.

The shipping container has its different contributions and usage in different industries. It serves as a mobile office to some, a simple restaurant for some innovative entrepreneurs, a storage of goods or valuable things for different sectors, or just a hiding place in case of emergency or a storm shelter for some homeowners.

Are shipping containers airtight?

Shipping containers are not airtight. All standard storage containers have small square vents that are about 1-inch in size on the top rails , but all sides of it are insulated with adhesive and rubber seal so that air can’t easily flow in. And for those used containers, you will see some minor damage and that makes a bit of airflow inside it. But of course, the door is securely sealed to prevent any water to comes inside the storage.

But there are some containers that are designed to have holes that allow proper air circulation, and it is intended for live animal cargo. It should be specially designed because a standard shipping container can not give sufficient ventilation for a living creature to breathe inside it.

How do we make a shipping container airtight? There are many ways in making a shipping container airtight, here are some of them:

Use a food sealer to seal around the edges.
Use plastic wrap on the top of the container and secure it using an elastic band.
Use a rubber gasket or O-ring, place it around the perimeter of the lid and then screw tight the lid. And to be more securely sealed, before screwing the lid, have a layer of silicone caulk around the edge of it.
Use a plumber’s putty to seal the container. Put a small amount of this clay-like putty and press it around the edge of the lid then screw tight the lid.

How Much Does A Shipping Container Weigh?

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 13:44:39 GMT

What is the usual weight of a shipping container?

A shipping container is a portable box that is used by some individuals and companies for storage, temporary office space, home, and accommodation. It is a standard-size box made from Corten Steel, high-quality steel that is known as “weathered steel” for it can resist the corrosive effects of fog, snow, rain, ice, and other meteorological conditions. Plus, anything you place inside won’t be easily stolen or damaged. From the word itself “shipping”, it is used in transporting goods anywhere in the world by sea, road, and rail.

This simple storage box has its own different uses in every industry. In the retail industry, it serves as a mini store, restaurant, and showroom. In the construction industry, they convert it into an office where paper works done while others used it as storage for all the valuable tools they will use. Since it is a durable and versatile storage box, the military use it as their office, barracks, storage, and barriers. And some homeowners bury it and used it as an emergency storm shelter .

Why is it important to weigh a shipping container?

Since a shipping container is used for transporting goods anywhere, it is important to know if what is its weight before putting all the valuable things to transport. This is one of the regulatory guidelines and government transportation regulations that we need to comply with.

Not declaring the accurate weight of a container will put everyone at great risk in road safety, cargo or ships because it can be a reason for unbalanced or overloaded shipping containers. And one of the safety requirements of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) before loading onto a ship for export is to have a VGM ( Verified Gross Mass) of the container.

Tare Weight - Tare weight is the weight of the shipping container before putting all the contents.

Shipping container’s weights per size:

10 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - approximately 2,645 lbs.

Payload Capacity - about 19,753 lbs.

Gross Weight - about 22,398 lbs.

Capacity - 4,197 gallons

Internal length - 9 ft 2 in

Internal width - 7 ft 8.5 in

Internal height - 7 ft 10 in

External length - 10 ft

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft

20 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - about 4,914 lbs.

Payload Maximum Capacity - 47,900 lbs.

Gross Weight - 52,813 lbs.

Capacity - 33,200 gallons

Internal width - 7 ft 8 in

Internal height - 7.5 ft

Internal length - 19 ft 4 in

External length - 19 ft 10.5 in

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft

40 feet shipping container

Tare Weight - approximately 8,159 lbs.

Payload Maximum Capacity - about 59,039 lbs.

Gross Weight - about 67,199 lbs.

Capacity - 67,670 gallons

Internal length - 39 ft 5 in

Internal width - 7 ft 8 in

Internal height - 7 ft 10 in

External length - 40 ft

External width - 8 ft

External height - 8.5 ft

How Much Does It Cost To Move A Container?

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 08:35:39 GMT

The cost when moving a shipping container.

A shipping container is a solid metal box made of Corten Steel , which is considered high-quality one and usually known as the “ weathered steel ”. It is used for transporting manufacturing products to any part of the world because it is durable and secured, you can be sure that the things that you put inside will be safely delivered.

The best part is that it is reusable and flexible. Because of that, some business owners are now using containers in building their stores to save money and be on trend. While some are using it as their product storage, some homeowners use it to store up those things during decluttering or use it as a storm shelter.

How much does it cost to move a container? Private citizens, small citizens, or major companies use a shipping containers for different purposes. When you own a shipping container and plan to move to a different place, you will get confused about how much and what are the process to make it happen. Moving a container needs to be planned because it is quite substantial and the logistical process can be complicated when you don’t know what exactly you are doing.

Moving a container in this year's cost is approximately around $1-4 dollars per mile depending on the length of distance, weight, and size of the container. There are many companies that sell containers and offer delivery, but it is important to know the process so that you will have an idea if in case if it goes out to not what you expected and ends up getting frustrated.

Moving across your property - No matter how near it is, moving your shipping container is never easy for a 20-feet container weight as much as 5,000 pounds, and removing all the things that are stored inside won’t change a thing. You need to hire a company that offers that service to help you move it and that would cost you around $500 to $1,000 depending on your location.
Moving across your city - This transfer will cost you around $1-4 dollars per mile and depending on the size, length of distance, and weight of your container.
Moving overseas (international) - Transporting your shipping container internationally is more complex in terms of logistics processes. It requires more transportation methods for it is through the land and water. And you need to pay the custom and other fees needed to be successful transport it.

Make some research and make a great plan on how to successfully move your shipping container from one place to the other before jumping into some container company offer to avoid having a nightmare. And choose a reliable company who can help you with this matter.

Conex Box vs Storage Container vs Shipping Container

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 18:53:00 GMT

What is the difference between a conex box, a storage container, and a cargo or shipping container?

A shipping container has a lot of usage. It is widely used to build mini restaurants and other quick build facilities. It is not just the usual cargo storage where we put products to ship or transfer, but it can be used as your low cost dream home. It is less expensive because you can have used shipping containers to remodel to become your beautiful abode.

If you are searching for extra secured storage to put on all your important belongings after decluttering, or a place to hide during an emergency or storm shelter, a shipping container is a perfect one for that because it is from Corten Steel which is known as “weathered steel.” But you might stumble to different names like conex box, storage container, and cargo or shipping container, and this will make you confused about what to choose.

What is Shipping Container?

Shipping container is a standard-size box made from Corten Steel, high-quality steel that is known as “weathered steel” for it can resist the corrosive effects of fog, snow, rain, ice, and other meteorological conditions. Plus, anything you place inside won’t be easily stolen or damaged. From the word itself “shipping”, it is used in transporting goods anywhere in the world by sea, road, and rail.

What is Cargo Container?

Cargo container is the other name for shipping container. It is used in transporting cargo from one place to another.

What is Conex Box?

Conex Box is also another name for shipping containers. The term “conex” is the combination of the words “container” and “express”. It has two common standard lengths of 20 and 40 feet that could be stacked effectively to have more containers in one place.

What is Storage Container?

Storage container is another name for a shipping container, but it is built from lightweight aluminum which is not secured in transferring goods from one place to another. This type of container is only good for storing goods or other things, but not shipping it.

What is the right type of container for me?

To answer this question, it is important to know what you need like the size of the container. And answer a few questions: Where would you use it? It is used for heavy-duty things like transferring goods or just for storage or building something? It is gonna be a new or a used shipping container?

How Shipping Containers Can Be Used In The Military?

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 12:53:02 GMT

The uses of shipping containers in the military

Cargo containers are always useful in any type of industry; no wonder why it is timeless and a trend in our generation. It fits any concept that you will be planning to make because of its characteristic of being; flexible and durable. You just have to add a little creativity to make it perfect.

This container may just look like a boring shipping container, but it already helped many businesses build their establishment. And not only that, because during World War II the US army was also using it to supply their men with every weapon and things they needed to avoid being damaged or stolen. These days militaries are still using it, but not just secured storage because they made it as an alternative home and building facility.

Last 2013, the U.S. Air Force used 700 shipping containers to build a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training facility because it can easily modify it to resemble a city. And last 2019, they also used it to have a check-in facility in their training range. They place it, pushed together, seal it, and connect all shipping containers within a day. And when they were done with the training, they just disassembled it, put it in the truck, and off to the next destination.

Here are the uses of shipping containers in the military:

Secured storage - Shipping containers are made from Corten Steel which is known as “weathered steel” for it can resist the corrosive effects of fog, snow, rain, ice, and other meteorological conditions. Plus, anything you place inside won’t be easily stolen or damaged.
Office facility - The military needs an office to work on their paper and document related tasks. Using a container gives them a proper place to install a data center or a central location for planning every operation they will have. And a perfect mobile facility to protect every stored data equipment used.
Versatile barracks - It is a great portable housing for every deployed military. It gives them an efficient and comfortable place to stay in any location that they will be, for they can install heating and cooling systems or other amenities that they need.
Barriers used in training operations - Cargo containers can resist any major damage without ruining their structure; that is why it is a perfect barricade during a military training exercise.

The 4 Main Ways Containers Are Used In The Construction Industry

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 19:58:48 GMT

The different uses of a shipping container in the construction industry

The construction industry is one of the most in-demand jobs and services that is hitting the market even before because everywhere we go people are always busy constructing new buildings. No wonder why construction site is always a busy and complicated place to work for it has many big materials, equipment, and tools.

Using shipping containers is a trend that most construction industries are adopting because of its characteristics such as:

Durability - It is better for storing those heavy pieces of equipment for a long time.
Versatility - It is capable of making an office into a secured storage facility and transporting it to different sites.
and other many functional applications.

Shipping containers have many amazing uses in any type of industry. That’s why many people are trying to own one, even those people who are not into any business or company.

The different ways to use a shipping container on a construction site:

Housing for workers - The construction site is a very busy dusty environment; there is a lot of heavy machinery and construction materials everywhere. Shipping containers are a perfect material to use as their temporary shelter when they are staying overnight at the site. It is also better as lunchrooms and rests place when the weather is not good. It could also be used as the first-aid station where they can be treated when there is an accident.
Secured storage for materials - All materials in the construction sites can be expensive, that is why they should be stored in a secured place. And the perfect place for that is the shipping container because it is made up of steel that is so difficult to break in.
On-site office - The construction site doesn’t have a place for those project managers and forepersons who are the ones who do all the administrative tasks. They should have a proper safe place on the site to do their job.
On-site bathroom - A proper toilet is one of the most important facilities that every person would need when staying most days in that certain place. Using shipping containers would not just give everyone a toilet to use, but a proper hygienic one.

How shipping containers make great mobile offices?

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:35:42 GMT

Do shipping containers make a great mobile office?

More people are finding ways to recycle and have alternative ideas on how to spend less on everything. Less expense but still have the same quality as the usual, that is what people are looking for, not just the common individual but also those companies that are aiming for that. And one example of that is a shipping container that is used for food service, it was a successful unique innovation which is why it became a trend.

Some companies, especially those small ones, are embracing the idea of using a shipping container office and already thinking about the different setups where it won’t become obvious that it is a steel container. But for some people who do not agree with that will think that it is just a boring four wall container that is used to import and export goods from different places.

Shipping containers are indeed great for storing valuable things that we can not keep inside our homes and are reliable for shipping purposes. But it also works better as a mobile office and it became famous because of those people who love to follow trends and came to realize that traditional materials can not sustain long years with the changing weather.

These containers can be easily installed because it is ready made and can be transformed according to your needs. You can paint any color, fixture, fittings, and other things inside it just use your creativity to have your own vibe. Cost effective and environmental benefits are one of the many reasons why we should choose it. Other reasons included are:

It is safe and secure for any thief or any calamities.
It is stylish and got modern designs for it can be easily customized.
It can be quickly built for it is ready made.
It is durable which means you don't have to worry about costly maintenance
It is easy to transport to anywhere you like.
It is naturally spacious for you can open any part of the wall and still be completely secure.
It is a comfortable workspace.

How to use shipping containers for food service?

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 17:36:37 GMT

The uses of shipping containers for food service

People nowadays are into starting a business to gain profit. And for them to achieve that goal is to find alternative ways on how to invest in small capital. They have to think of products that people need every day, and that is where food comes in to be the source of making money. And next to planning for a great product to sell is the store and its materials to be used. And that includes the perfect location.

The shipping containers are an excellent, less expensive material to use when making a trendy food store than the usual way of building it. And you can choose a brand new or the used one to be more cheaper in price if you prefer to save more. It won’t matter as long as it has an impressive interior design that can easily attract customers.

The different ways to use shipping containers for food service:

Full Restaurant - Using a shipping container to build a full-service restaurant can be impossible for some people. Still, it is possible if you already have the idea and the flexibility to design it. It really needs flexibility because you will be following a typical restaurant’s functionality.

Beverage Service - This kind of business usually operates at some beach and pub area where people use to go to relax and sip some of their favorite drinks.

Concession Service - A booth for events like festivals, games, or concerts. It is an excellent way to gather more customers to buy or avail of endorsed products. What you will usually see is the cash register and products or freebies available.

Showroom for Cooking Lesson - It is a perfect setup for those vlogging chefs or just typically teaching how to cook. Everything can be in that specific place that the viewers or students can fully see.

Commissary Kitchen Service - This kind of service is for people who love to see their food cooked in front of them and have it freshly served. It doesn’t necessarily cook in front of them; it is usually preheated to conserve time.

Best Accessories To Complement A Shipping Container

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 16:59:29 GMT

Accessories that complement to your shipping container

We all know that a storage container is not just an ordinary container that you will use to send or receive your product from another country or stuff your unused things, just like a basement or a garage. It is a new trend to transform it into a tiny home, a mini store or a cafe.

Many people find this kind of material as convenient and affordable compared to a standard house material. Yet, you have to be artistic to bring out the beauty of a boring shipping container. But you don't have to worry about that because there are many interior decorators who can help you with that if you badly need it.

The following accessories that complement your shipping container are:

Lock Box - It is necessary to secure whatever that is inside the container for security purposes. It will protect your belongings from those thefts who will try to break in.

Shelve Racks - If the primary purpose of the container is to store in some belongings or make it as a mini warehouse, a shelving rack is a must to organize the things inside so that it would be easy for you to find the things that you are looking for.

Doors - There are two types of shipping container doors that you can choose to install. The standard shipping container gives you easy access inside and is secured with a steel frame just like the container wall. And the roll-up door is suitable for storage purposes, mini stores, or cafes.

Heater or AC - To keep yourself comfortable inside the housing container, it is better to install an AC and Heater. In that way, you won't have to struggle in any type of weather.

Container Ramps - This is so important when the storage purpose is to load and unload heavy pieces of equipment inside.

Window - If this is your house container or cafe etc., it is necessary for a natural light to shine in.

Lights - No matter what the purpose is, it is essential to install a light inside the container to illuminate the whole area so that it would be easy to do things that you need to do no matter what day it is.

Why Is There A Container Shortage in the USA currently?

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 16:24:42 GMT

Is there currently a shortage of shipping containers in the USA?

Populations continue to increase every year. And as it happens, many countries are now suffering from being overpopulated. It would be hard to find a job, money, or even a decent place to live in. That is the reason why many came up with an idea of a shipping container makeover for them to have a house without spending much.

The shipping container supplier was happy when that kind of abode became a trend. The container became versatile in its usage. Before, it was just a plain boring container usually used by entrepreneurs or business owners to transport goods to the other side of the world. But now, everyone can have it and use it as storage, bunker, or home.

It is very useful to everyone. It makes every import and export product easy to transfer to every country's port. There is no need to hire more employees to do all those transferring port stuff. It is like a blessed gift to every person in business that has products made from other neighboring countries.

But recently, there has been a shipping container shortage that hits not just in the USA but all over the world. It all began in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic that made every factory and manufacturing industry stop its production and focus on everyone’s health.

The excellent transportation flow of the containers was interrupted. They kept the containers in port storage for a long time because they feared passing the virus through goods in every country. It needs to be quarantined for a minimum of 2 weeks. Not just that, there are only a few employees who can do those pending tasks. It just stops moving.

There is also a limited number of global ocean freight shippers that can provide a response to the worldwide shortage. The global pandemic lasted for years, making it more challenging to resolve the shortage issue. Because of that, some experts predicted that it would gradually go back to its usual demands by 2022 this year. That is why our company tried to help ease our country’s container demand.

Can You Bury A Shipping Container?

Fri, 27 May 2022 17:32:48 GMT

Is it ok to bury a shipping container?

A shipping container is one of the reasons why every country's local products can be easily imported and exported without spending a lot. It can save money and time because they only need a few dockworkers to unload and load the vessels. And it will only need a few ports to be stuck in all those containers because they are proven to be secure from being stolen and durable in any weather, which means that you can ensure a good condition of the products that were inside of it.

The benefit of embracing intermodal shipping containers is that it creates a significant impact on the international trade and industries. We won’t have to wait long years to enjoy our neighboring country's new inventions and products just like how it was decades ago. The exciting thing is that everyone can be an entrepreneur in the comfort of their respective homes because of this.

Having a container is useful even to non-business owners because they use it to stuff in those old valuable things that they want to get it out of their house but still can’t fully let it go of. At the same time, those small scale entrepreneurs use it as their warehouse where they store all the products they are selling online.

Since it is made from solid metal, some creative people used it as their lovely home. They transformed it into a modern abode that no one could ever recognize that it was just the shipping container that they never noticed in some ports.

Yes, we can bury a shipping container. But there are things that you need to know before doing it. Whatever your purpose is, you have to ensure safety first. If you are planning to have a cost-effective way of building a bunker where you can hide in case of an emergency or a storm shelter , then you need enough reinforcement to make to avoid any unwanted tragedy.

Few of the many things you need to do is insulate the container to avoid inhaling any toxic chemicals from the anti-rust paint in the container. And when burying it, you should turn it upside down because the container's floor is much thicker than the top surface. In that way, it can somehow hold the intense ground pressure to avoid any collapse.

Top 5 Tips To Maintain Your Shipping Container Roof

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:16:06 GMT

How To Maintain Your Container Roof - Top 5 Tips!

When you invest in a shipping container in Florida , you want it to last. One of the two most common places a container will fail is the roof. This is because many clients have no idea how to properly maintain a container roof so it can last for 20+ years. Here's a few key tips to keep in mind:

1. Always Buy From Reputable Suppliers

With so many suppliers of shipping containers in the country, it's crucial you do your research before buying. Many companies do a half-hearted job inspecting containers they buy from the depot. We are a top quality and top rated container supplier and we ALWAYS go above and beyond to double-inspect your container. Our team inspects it upon pickup, and we offer you the opportunity to inspect on delivery.

2. Don't Stack Too Much Weight On The Roof

Yes shipping containers can handle some weight on top, but not much. When containers are stacked, they are actually stacked on the frames of the containers - aka where all the structural integrity of the container is. So really only the 4 corners of the containers are touching. These are the strongest points of the container and it was built to handle loads like this. Containers weren't built to handle large loads in the middle of the roof. If you bend or bow the roof, it can bend and bow. This would throw off the weight distribution and capacity of the container and lead to premature failure. If you need or want roof access, make sure to reinforce the roof properly.

3. Remove Standing Water & Debris

The most notorious element for destroying everything - water. It doesn't always do damage quickly, but it can be relentless and eventually erodes everything - including shipping containers! After heavy rainfall, be sure to get up and clear off the water and debris from the container. It won't have an immediate detrimental effect on the container, but let the water stand for too long and it could rust. Rust often leads to premature failure in a container here in Florida, especially in cities like Miami , Orlando , Jacksonville and Tallahassee that have heavy salt water air.

4. Buff Out Rust & Remove Mold

If somehow rust or most have started forming on your container roof, you need to remove it quickly. Use a metal buffer to take off the rust and reseal the container either with paint or sealants. Don't let the metal be exposed for too long or it will just rust again. Eventually, you'll run out of metal! And feel free to spray an anti-mold spray on the roof to help prevent mold from forming.

5. Perform Regular Inspections On The Container Roof

Here in Florida, we recommend a full inspection of the cargo container at least every 6 months depending on the quality and condition of the container. If it's more well-used, you might inspect more frequently. But keeping an eye on typical spots that are known to fail is a great way to stay ahead of any issues and keep the container lasting long into the future!