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Sure, the primary use of shipping containers is in their name: they ship things. But shipping containers, far from being hunks of steel only good for one job, serve a wide variety of purposes and can be reused in tons of creative ways.  Here’s a handful of alternative ways shipping containers can be used for your next home or business project!   Make a Home Out of Shipping Containers We’ve all seen some great YouTube videos of homes made out of shipping containers. You don’t have to be rich or have a background in architecture or engineering to make it a reality for your next house. Even now, you can create a unique and energy-efficient home out of one or more shipping containers depending on how much space you need! Reusing these containers is a much better alternative to building a new house from scratch. Plus, building a house from shipping containers means you get more opportunity to customize its look! And did we mention that expanding your new home is as simple as adding another container or two to the mix?   Create a Shed or Garage! Similarly, you can add some valuable space to your existing property by using a shipping container as a shed or garage. Need a spot to park your car or just a place to store all your tools and garden supplies? A shipping container can fulfill its original purpose without being expensively shipped around the world. Plus, you can keep shipping containers dry and cool (add link to humidity blog) which is ideal for a lot of volatile materials or sensitive compounds.    Use as a Workshop  In keeping with the general theme of adding to your existing property, consider using a shipping container to serve as a workshop. You don’t have to keep it closed; getting rid of one or more of the walls will let you create an open-air workshop where you can set up workbenches, tool chests, cabinets, and more.  This is a particularly good idea if you want a workshop for tinkering with automobiles or motorcycles, as you can roll the vehicle in question up to the shipping container workshop without things being too crowded.   Make an Outdoor Movie Theater It’s hard to get to the movie theater these days, but you can use a shipping container as an outdoor movie theater for yourself!  For this idea, you’ll want to keep all the walls intact except for a single door to get in and out. Then set up a sound system and some comfy couches and you’re good to go. With a little soundproofing, the shape of the shipping container will make any sound from the film echo all the more powerfully. It’s a great way to lose yourself in your favorite movie for a little while.   Start a Food Truck Business In One If you have a more entrepreneurial spirit, you can make a food truck business out of a shipping container (or several). Getting rid of one or more walls is a necessity since you need a place for your guests to line up and order some of whatever food you decide to make.  But a shipping container serves well as a food truck base because of their portability and size. Simply haul it to different places around the city and watch the people line up.  And it’s just about the perfect size to host a small kitchen and a few talented chefs without having to take out a big loan on traditional restaurant space.   They Can Serve as Emergency Medical Centers More medically minded people might see the potential for shipping containers to serve as emergency medical centers or clinics.  In fact, this strategy can already be seen in countries around the world as organizations like Clinic in a Can, who use shipping containers as mobile clinics ideally suited for serving hard-to-reach populations or people without access to quality medical care.  If you already work for a hospital or are looking to expand the capabilities of your organization, consider shipping containers as a cost-effective way to bring medical care to underserved communities.   Make a Sauna From One Another great potential use for shipping containers is to build your very own Sauna. That’s right; you can make a home sauna out of a shipping container if you have a little bit of creative talent and a willingness to put wood strips over the interior.  You’ll definitely want to cover everything in wood and will have to do some plumbing work to make sure that you can feed steam into the sauna reliably. But once all that’s done, you’ll have a perfect sauna all to yourself.   Use as Student Housing Many colleges are looking into collections of shipping containers as affordable student housing solutions.  You can stack these on top of one another and give students the communal experience of living in close quarters in communities while avoiding the high charges of traditional new structures. Even better, shipping containers allow you to organize how the living spaces are set up because of their simple, standardized, volumetric shape.   A Shipping Container Can Serve as a Swimming Pool Dig a hole in your backyard that’s big enough and you can set the shipping container down inside it. Fill it up and you’ve got yourself a perfectly sized swimming pool for one or more people.  In fact, it’s already suited for laps or back-and-forth swimming, so it’s even better if you primarily swim for exercise purposes. Remember, you will need to hire someone to do extensive piping and filtering work for the new pool, or otherwise handle this aspect yourself.   What About a Garden or a Grow Room? Similarly, you can use a shipping container as a large garden. You can remove as much of the wall height of the container in question as you like. But in the end, you’ll have an enclosed space that’s perfect for a garden of your own

  You’ve just purchased a shipping container and plan to store items that are sensitive to moisture. Given enough time in stagnant storage spaces, there are a wide range of materials susceptible to water-related damage. What items can be harmed by humidity in shipping containers? There a few, including: Clothing Fabric furniture Wood materials Cardboard and paper materials Organic materials such as plants or food So what are the risks? What is causing the problem? What are the solutions to keeping the humidity levels under control?  Let’s break it all down! Shop Rent-A-Container! Why is There Humidity in Shipping Containers Despite all their value and durability, shipping containers are vulnerable to humidity and condensation. Their metal surfaces make them especially temperature-conductive. Weather, light level, and ambient heat sources all affect the amount of moisture in the air in the container. If a shipping container’s internal air becomes too warm compared to the coolness of the side walls, it causes condensation to collect on the outer surfaces and ceiling.  What is “Container Rain?” This term is used to describe the collected condensation. You may see water actually dripping from the ceiling or walls of a container. Shipping condensation can damage your cargo through a variety of means including: Warping various materials like plastic, metal, and wood Corroding metals Producing mold and mildew, especially if you have organic products or materials in your container Causing the deterioration of packaging, especially cardboard Why Does Humidity in Shipping Containers Cause Problems? What’s the science behind shipping container condensation? Condensation occurs when air reaches a “dew point”. Sometimes, shipping container walls can become too cool while the air inside the container can stay or become warm. This causes the water content in the air to condense as it transitions into a liquid from a vapor. The liquid then builds up and collects on the interior metal surfaces of a shipping container. Over time, this moisture can drip onto sensitive cargo. As you might imagine, condensation dripping onto equipment or products that are particularly sensitive to moisture can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars lost and serious setbacks.  Shipping Container Condensation Issues: Consider natural temperature fluctuations during any given day. At Nighttime, shipping containers are usually cooler than during the daytime.  Ambient temperature from the humidity outside a container can also change overall shipping container temperature. Available air space plays a factor. Shipping containers that have a lot of extra air space also have a lot of extra moisture content from that open air. Condensation is, therefore, more likely. The moisture content in any shipped goods can play a role. For instance, paper, wood, cardboard, or any other organic materials contain trace amounts of moisture, which can eventually dew as the internal temperature of the container rises. Other commonly shipped products, like certain chilled foods and beverages, can produce their own condensation, adding to the problem. Ventilation is incredibly important. Shipping containers that do not have proper ventilation installed or which have their vents obstructed by debris will cause extra moisture to build up. Air flow can equalize temperature, but a lack of airflow causes heat to collect inside a shipping container. Opening the doors on a hot day will allow more heat inside the container. Loading and unloading the container can also affect its overall ambient temperature. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to invest in certain controls to reduce condensation in your shipping containers. You can’t completely eliminate moisture buildup, but you can control condensation through a variety of techniques. 6 Tips for Shipping Container Moisture Control How do you stop condensation in a shipping container?  Good question. There are a few ways to mitigate the risk of moisture damage in a shipping container. Keep in mind that no single method below is the best way to seal your shipping container and stop condensation from affecting your goods. But implementing several of these will result in better control and removal of shipping container condensation. 1. Improve Ventilation First and foremost, investigate the ventilation situation for all your affected shipping containers right away. Most shipping containers feature vents – these usually include 10 holes punched into steel walls. They also usually have an external bracket over the top, which helps enable airflow without compromising the watertight nature of the shipping container. If, for some reason, your shipping container doesn’t already have these vents, you need to get some installed right away. Ventilation is super important since it funnels warm and moist air out of the container and draws in cool and dry air. This equalizes the temperature on the container’s interior and lowers the likelihood of condensation. Granted, ventilation isn’t the ideal solution for everyone. If you ship goods to wet environments, vents can actually make the problem worse. Furthermore, you might already have enough vents, but they might just be blocked because of your shipping containers being packed too tightly or because of debris clogging the holes. Either way, look at your ventilation situation and change things according to your needs. 2. Use Insulation In a nutshell, insulators keep your cargo contents warmer than the normal dew point that leads to container rain. In essence, this prevents the ambient moisture in the air from condensing into a liquid form in the first place. Remember, temperature differences between the container walls and ambient air are what cause condensation in the first place. 3. Use Dehumidifying Tools A dehumidifier (or several) is another great air condensation solution. Dehumidifiers do exactly what the name suggests; they remove humidity from the air by sucking it away and storing it in a receptacle. The resulting air is drier than normal, so even if there is a temperature variance between your container’s internal air and the walls, no moisture is left to condense. Remember, dehumidifiers do require maintenance. You need to periodically empty the receptacles where they collect the moisture from the air. You can alternatively set up a hose system and plumb the moisture out of

If you’ve ever had to travel on a highway, you’ve probably noticed the labels on shipping containers without even realizing it. Now, you’re the person responsible for making sure shipping container labeling requirements are met. How can you maintain compliance? Or, maybe you want to impress your family with trivia on the next road trip. How do you do it? Simple. Do your research. Keep reading for basic information on shipping container labels to get you started. Why do shipping containers have labels?  Shipping containers have labels because governments require them. The labels convey all sorts of information to those who know how and where to look. They do everything from identify the specific container from the millions of others in the world, indicate the size and even notify us of what is contained inside them. Shipping container labeling requirements: Where to find a label  Important markings can be found on all parts of a shipping container. Here is where you can find shipping container labels: Door end: The door end is the part of the container that holds the most information. On the door end, you will find the maximum gross weight, tare weight, maximum payload, height warning. You may also find the owner’s logo and repair recommendations. Side: The side has the identification number which contains the BIC code, serial number, and check digit. Top: The top includes the identification number and size and type codes. Front end: The front end includes the identification number and size and type codes. Components of shipping container labels Below are definitions of the common markings that people find on shipping containers. This will help you identify the labels when you see them: Maximum gross weight The maximum gross weight is a number found on the door end of the shipping container. It tells the people packing the container the maximum weight the container can carry in pounds and kilograms, including its own weight, which is called tare weight.  Maximum payload The maximum payload is the maximum amount of weight that can be packed into the container as cargo. Misdeclaring this number can cost lives and property damage. This number matches the number on the packing slip and doesn’t include tare. It’s represented on the back of the container to let the customer know what to expect from the payload inside. Height warning Height markings are mandatory on shipping containers more than 8 feet, 6 inches tall. These are usually pictured as measurement figures on a yellow background outlined in black. This number is displayed on the right-hand corner of each side. Identification Number The identification number comprises three important parts: the BIC code, serial number, and check digit.  BIC code The Bureau International des Containers et du Transport Intermodal (BIC) issues an owner code to shippers. Each code is unique to identify the owner of the specific container. There can be no duplicate BIC codes. The owner code, or BIC code, is the first 3 letters of the identification number. A fourth letter describes the equipment category. Serial number The serial number is 6 numbers serializing the shipping container. This allows for tracking of the container. Check digit The check digit is a digit within the serial number that is used to check the validity of a serialized shipping container’s identification number.  Size and type codes ISO Codes tell the shipper the size and type of container no matter what region of the world they are in by using a standardized codification system that is globally accepted. Other markings on a shipping container Here are some other markings on a shipping container: Owner name and logo: This identifies the company that owns the shipping container. Hazard warnings: Plates that identify any hazardous materials contained in the shipment are present. Caution stickers: This includes “Warning High Cube” and other cautions. CSC plate: The Container Safety Convention (CSC) plate is required for international trading. It highlights the most important owner and safety information in one place. What about hazardous materials? Companies must clearly mark hazards and convey important information using labels on shipping containers to remain in compliance with existing guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, states that shipping containers transporting certain hazardous materials: “[A]n HCS 2012 label compliant with paragraph 1910.1200(f)(1) must be on the outside of the shipping container or attached to any accompanying shipping papers or bill of lading. This accommodation will provide basic information to downstream workers, such as warehouse or dock workers who may be exposed in case of a spill or release or other emergency. The shipping container should also be labeled in accordance with DOT and/or International Maritime Organization (IMO) labeling regulations or requirements during shipping.” With these tips, you can identify shipping container labels and markings like a pro. Visit our recent posts to learn more helpful information about buying shipping containers. Shop Rent-A-Container!

What is a High Cube (HC) Shipping Container? While these containers are available in sizes and layouts similar to any other standard sized container, high cube shipping containers are defined by their height. A high cube shipping container or HC container is an intermodal storage container unit with an external height of 9ft. 6in. That’s a 2,895.6 mm shipping container for the rest of the world. It’s added height gives owners and renters additional headspace and a convenient way to increase storage capacity by adding additional volume, without needing a longer container. While this might be your first time hearing this term, we thought it would be helpful for you to examine high cube shipping containers vs standard shipping containers so that you can better explore your container height size options. Standard Shipping Containers vs. High Cube Shipping Containers As mentioned above, the main difference between a standard shipping container and a high cube shipping container is the height. High cubes stand an additional foot above the 8ft. 6in. standard shipping container. This height difference also results in taller doors and some additional container weight. What are the Dimensions of a High Cube Container? *(note that the exact internal and door dimensions can vary slightly by manufacturer and factory) External Dimensions for Common High Cube Containers: Height: 9’ 6” Width: 8’ Length: 20’, 40’ or 45’ Door Opening Width: 7’ 8” Height: 8’ 6” Internal Dimensions of a High Cube Container Height: 8’ 10” – Height varies slightly depending on floor type and material width Width: 7’ 9” Length: 20 ft – 19’ 4”; 40 ft. – 39’ 6” 20 ft. High Cube Shipping Container Capacity (Volume): 1,317 ft. cubed 40 ft. High Cube Shipping Container (Volume): 2,700 ft. cubed Weights: Tare Weight (Weight of the empty container): 20 ft. – 5,200 lbs.; 40 ft. – 8,600 lbs. Payload (Weight the container can safely hold): ~ 20 ft. – 62, 000 lbs.; ~ 40 ft. – 62,900 lbs. Browse HC Shipping Containers What are the Dimensions of a Standard Shipping Container? *(note that the exact internal and door dimensions can vary slightly by manufacturer and factory) External Dimensions for Common Standard Shipping Containers Height: 8’ 6” Width: 8’ Length: 20’, 40’ or 45’ Door Opening Door Width: 7’ 8” Door Height: 7’ 6” Internal Dimensions Height: 7’ 10” Width: 7’ 9” Length: 20 ft. – 19’ 4”; 40 ft. – 39’ 6” 20 ft. Standard Shipping Container Volume: ~ 1,170 ft. cubed 40 ft. Standard Shipping Container Volume: ~ 2,390 ft. cubed Weights: Tare Weight (Weight of the empty container): 20 ft. – 5,200 lbs.; 40 ft. – 8,250 lbs. Payload (Weight the container can safely support): ~ 20 ft. – 62,000 lbs.; ~ 40 ft. – 63,400 lbs. Browse Standard Shipping Containers How to Choose the Right Height Shipping Container? Now that you know the specs of the two most common shipping container heights, how do we choose between the two of them? Let’s answer a few important questions to help us decide on which shipping container will serve your needs. Is weight a factor? If your main concern for transporting or storing heavy items is weight, then the recommendation is to choose the shortest height and shortest length that will still allow you to fit all your belongings. What are you using the container for? Storage or shipping containers are used for many reasons these days. Here are a couple of examples that might help you when choosing the type of container needed based on the unit’s intended use.  Storing Property For those who plan to keep their shipping containers in their backyards to secure their belongings, or for temporary storage of goods, tools and vehicles will most likely fit in an 8ft 6in standard container.  If you are looking to store taller items, or if you need added storage volume but your yard is unable to accommodate the extended length of a container, a high cube container may be just what you need. Offices, Workspaces, or Shipping Container Homes If you plan to work in the container space often, or want to convert your container into a living space, we recommend 9’ 6” high cube containers. This will give you and anyone else utilizing that space additional comfort and headspace. You’ll thank us later. Price Difference: High Cube Shipping Containers vs Standard Shipping Containers Your budget is an important factor in choosing the right storage or shipping container for you or your business. If all other variables are equal, standard sized shipping containers and high cube containers are relatively equal in price. Prices for high cube containers will be a little higher to account for their weight and added volume but the difference is often fairly small. *This is only true if you have done your homework to ensure that you are comparing containers with the same width, length, condition type, and delivered from the same location (or equal miles shipped). Shop Rent-A-Container!

Why Buy Used Shipping Containers? Are you in the market for used shipping containers for sale or rent to store your company’s tools, keep your property safe and secure, or to build that idyllic, Millennial dream home that you recently saw on YouTube? Or was it on HGTV? You’ll find that used containers come in a wide variety of options that give you true freedom to shop for exactly what you need. With internationally regulated certification programs, various size dimensions, customization options, and options to buy or lease, there are plenty of reasons to choose a used container. Here are the top reasons we recommend looking for used shipping containers for sale: Buying a used shipping container can save you A LOT of money; While they may not look as pristine, used shipping containers can be just as structurally sound as “new/1-trip” shipping containers; and  Shopping “used” gives you more opportunity and flexibility due to generally higher inventory volume. No matter the reason, we’d like to offer you a comprehensive guide to finding those perfect used shipping containers for sale all across the country. Buy from Someone Who Stands by Their Product It is imperative that you purchase your used container from a company that will stand by their product. Used containers will sometimes have defects despite best efforts to prevent them. In the event that happens, you will want the protection of buying from a reputable company who can AND WILL remedy the issue. At Rent-A-Container, customer satisfaction is our #1 priority and we will do everything we can to ensure that you are satisfied with the condition of your container and that you get what you pay for.  Ask About Warranties Containers are made from CorTen steel and they can rust. In order to provide some peace of mind, Rent-A-Container offers a 1-year warranty on all container sales guaranteeing that your container will be wind & watertight. Specifically, that the doors will work and that there will not be holes. Shop the Best Prices on Used Shipping Containers There are several ways to get the lowest price on a used shipping container that you should take advantage of. Shopping on Rent-A-Container’s website is a great first step to finding the right price on a used shipping container for sale nearest to you. Prices for used shipping containers can vary widely. Factors that impact the cost include the condition/category of the container, location of the container (distance the container must be shipped), and whether you want to rent or buy your used container. Shop Used Containers for Sale Nearest To Your Location A major factor in getting the best price is to cut down on the cost of shipping and transportation – but that is not the only consideration. That’s why Rent-A-Container’s software automatically provides you with the lowest prices possible. Most companies just give you the closest container, whether that is the best deal or not. Since container prices can vary so widely from place to place, Rent-A-Container’s software automatically searches all locations and provides you with the lowest price of shipping + container possible..  Search Rent-A-Container’s Inventory to Find Used Shipping Containers for Sale by Zip Code Shop Used Shipping Containers By Zip Code Order the Right Container Dimension Sizes Larger containers typically cost more than smaller container sizes. That’s why it’s so important to know which storage container dimensions will serve your storage and shipping needs. Also consider the weight of the material you’ll be putting into your container. Shorter containers are better at distributing and holding more weight than longer containers. Decide if You Want to Rent or Buy a Used Shipping Container While renting is often initially cheaper, you’ll need to decide if you need the freedom associated with buying a container and how long you’ll need that container for.  Used Shipping Containers for Sale | Pricing by Size and Condition Type of Used Container Condition Purchase Price Rental Price/Mo 8’ x 20’ Standard Door Used Container Cargo Worthy ~ $1,300-$2,100 $85 8’ x 40’ Standard Door Used Container Cargo Worthy ~ $1,400-$2,400 $105 8’ x 40’ Standard Door Used High Cube Container Cargo Worthy ~ $1,450-$2,500 $115 8’ x 45’ Standard Door Used High Cube Container Cargo Worthy ~ $1,900-$2,600 N/A 8’ x 20’ Standard Door Used Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $1,150-$1,900 $70 8’ x 40’ Standard Door Used Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $1,350-$2,300 $90 8’ x 40’ Standard Door Used High Cube Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $1,400-$2,600 $99 8’ x 45’ Standard Door Used High Cube Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $1,900-$2,650 N/A 8’ x 20’ Used Office Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $15,000 $475 8’ x 40’ Used Office Container Wind and Water Tight ~ $21,000 $475 *Rent-A-Container prices may vary from the above table depending on your location. These prices do not include the cost of shipping. Check our e-commerce site for the most up to date prices. Try Rent-A-Container’s price match offering to ensure you always get the best prices! Certified Conditions for Used Shipping Containers on the Open Market If you are in the market for a used shipping container, there are a couple of terms associated with the official condition of storage units that you should familiarize yourself with. After an evaluation at the depot, used shipping containers are typically listed to be sold as any of the following conditions. Cargo Worthy Containers “Cargo Worthy” containers are typically the highest quality used containers that you’ll find when buying or renting units. Cargo Worthy containers have been inspected and deemed worthy of being used for shipping goods over land or sea (although they may not have valid CSC plates and documentation to be shipped internationally). These containers have generally been used in overseas freight for at least 10 years so they will have visual imperfections including dings, dents and surface rust. They will not have structural rust and will be weathertight. See Used Cargo Worthy Shipping Containers Wind and