How Are Shipping Containers Made?

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How Are Shipping Containers Made?

Shipping containers are built in a way that facilitates cargo transportation across the ocean in both safety of cargo and carrying capacity. These shipping containers are also helpful for the everyday person who uses them for storage for extra living or office space. The most commonly used shipping containers range from 20ft to 40ft in length, and some are refrigerated or otherwise climate controlled. Almost all shipping containers are made from steel and come with hinged doors and a closed top, as well as corrugated walls and welded rails on the bottom. This design makes for better safety for what’s stored inside from both thievery and the elements. Below, Porta-Stor will look at how these containers are actually made, and what makes this design best for everyone who uses these containers.

How Are Shipping Containers Made?

Most shipping containers are made from materials like steel, aluminum, fiber-reinforced polymer, or sometimes a combination of materials. There’s a process to the creation of each shipping container, and we’ll look at each step below:

1. It starts with a large roll of steel, which is unrolled and cut into several sheets. This first step is done in specific factories that have the machinery to get this done.
2. The steel sheets are then sand blasted and primed to remove any dust, dirt, or other contaminants.
3. The sheets are then corrugated to help improve the overall strength.
4. The roof panels and floor braces for the shipping container are separately made in a similar way.
5. The sheets for wall panels are welded together.
6. Square tubing is then welded to the top of the walls.
7. Once this is complete, the floor panels are assembled to form a floor frame.
8. The door assembly and corner posts are also separately prepared for the container.
9. After the door and corner posts are prepared, they are then installed to the floor frame.
10. Next is the installation of the wall panels.
11. The corner posts, wall panels, and door assembly are welded together.
12. Once those are welded, the roof panel is then assembled and welded.
13. Once all the welding is complete, the shipping container is then primed and painted.
14. The wooden frames are then varnished and prepared to go in as the bottom of the flooring.
15. Once those wooden frames are installed into the container floor, holes are drilled to allow for the attachment of the flooring panels.
16. After the flooring panels are in, the door hardware is finally installed, as well as rubber seals to create watertight doors.
17. The bottom of the container is waterproofed as well.
18. After all of this, the container is finally inspected to ensure water-tightness and for any other problems that may arise.

These shipping containers are used for more than cargo movement, and the need for them to be structurally secure and weatherproofed is just as important now as it was when they were only used for shipping cargo across the seas.

If you want to see some of the interesting ways people are using shipping containers these days, check out Porta-Stor’s other blogs, such as this one that explores the exciting rise of shipping container street restaurants!

5 Things that Need Climate Controlled Storage

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5 Things that Need Climate Controlled Storage

With warmer weather fast approaching, you may be starting your spring cleaning to get your home and outdoor equipment organized for the summer. As you do your spring cleaning and organizing, there are sure to be some things that you want to put into storage for later use to open up some more usable space in your home.

A portable storage container is a great option for homeowners who have belongings that are taking up too much space. As you’re researching which storage container to use to do just that, you should consider whether or not you need climate controlled storage. Without good climate control, these items can be damaged in your attic, garage, or storage shed. Below, Porta-Stor will go over a few items that may be damaged by storing them in extreme heat and humidity during those summer months after your spring cleaning.

Electronics

Whether it an extra TV, computers, recording gear, or another type of electronic, these items are bulky and hog space as well as create a constant spot for dusting. Plus all of those cords lying around are an eyesore! These are items, however, that you might want to avoid putting into a storage space without climate control over the high temperature months. Electronics are prone to damage when they are stored somewhere where the humidity and heat levels are high. If a non-climate-controlled storage container is sealed up with uncirculated air and extreme heat, it’s a good idea to not store your electronics there during the summer.

Photographs

Humidity is not good for photographs, and the summer months are full of humid air. If you store your photographs in a hot storage area over the summer months, they may stick together and deteriorate. To help keep these memories safe for years to come, make sure they are in a cool, dry area. If you can’t help it, look for acid-free, water-repelling photograph holders.

Books and Paper

If you’re cleaning out important old paperwork and books as you spring clean and you just want to store them elsewhere, it’s best to not store them in an attic or storage container that’s not climate controlled. If these items get stored in a humid container over the summer months, they may start to turn yellow, curl up, and become difficult to read.

Leather

Leather, moisture, and heat do not mix. It’s best to not store leather clothes or furniture in a storage container that will have drastic temperature changes over the summer months. If these items are exposed to too much moisture, they can mildew and become discolored. If there is too much heat, they can crack. Use a climate controlled storage container to avoid these problems!

Wood and Wooden Furniture

It’s very common for people to look into storage containers for those extra pieces of furniture not being used at the moment. More often than not, that includes furniture made of wood. This may include bed frames, tables, and chairs. When wood is exposed to hot, humid air and moisture, over time it will begin to crack, warp, and even rot. If you need to store wooden objects in a non-climate-controlled storage container, make sure they are properly treated to withstand the extremes.

There are many other things that should not be stored in a hot, humid storage area over the summer months, but these are the most common items that people tend to store when they want more space in their home. If you do need to store these items over the summer months, it may be a good option for you to look into a climate controlled storage container to make sure they stay in good shape while they are being stored.

If you want more storage or moving tips, check out Porta-Stor’s other blogs, such as this one that goes over some of the current best apps for moving!

The Type of Metal Used For Shipping Containers

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The Type of Metal Used For Shipping Containers

When you think about the weather and elements that a shipping container is subjected to, it’s a wonder that they are still standing. From local weather based on location to being stacked on boats and shipped across the salt water seas, what makes these shipping containers so durable? Well it comes down to the type of steel that’s used to build them. Here Porta-Stor will take a closer look at all of the factors that make shipping container steel the best option and how it came to be.

COR-TEN Steel

COR-TEN is United States Steel’s trademark for their created brand of weathering steel. The COR stands for ‘corrosion resistant’ and the TEN stands for the ‘tensile strength.’ The metals that are contained within this type of steel are usually iron, copper, manganese, nickel, and chromium. There are also other elements in this steel that are not metals, such as carbon, sulfur, and silicon.

COR-TEN is also the steel that is used on bridge towers as well as rail care and even outdoor sculptures.

So why is this material important, and why is it a better option than the steel shipping containers that are meant for a one-trip-lifespan across the sea? It’s created out of a chemical makeup that, when exposed to the elements, allows for a slower process of rusting, and the rust that does form will adhere to the surface of the steel instead of eat into it.

COR-TEN Steel on Shipping Containers

When a new shipping container is built, the first line of defense applied to this steel is a solid coat of marine-grade paint. This gives the container an extra line of protection from being banged around on a cargo ship or truck. As this paint starts to wear thin over time, the properties of the steel itself will then form a second layer of defense.

This is where that thin layer of rust comes into play. It can actually help give a new layer of protection to the container and will help slow the process of completely rusting out. This layer that comes out after the paint wears thin now acts as an anti-rusting patina for the container.

How To Protect Your Shipping/Storage Container

If you’re using a shipping container for a storage unit or some other purpose, you are sure to want an extended life for it. To accomplish that, there are a few simple steps you can follow to ensure that you can use your shipping container for years to come. You need to first remember that COR-TEN steel is not rust-proof.  It will slowly corrode. Pay attention to any pockets or dents in the container. You do not want water to speed up the oxidation process of the steel. Also, you should make sure to pay attention to the welding seams of the container and keep an extra coat of outdoor paint applied to them. This paint will act as a sealer over any small cracks or chips that you may not be able to see.

Your container needs to undergo a regular process of getting wet and then drying for its rust layer to do its job and prolong the life of your container. That’s why it’s important to check crevices and welded spots to make sure they are always dry, free of dirt, and sealed with a rustolium/outdoor paint, so more damaging rust spots don’t form.

If you want more information on shipping containers, check out Porta-Stor’s other blogs, such as this one that goes over how to expand your business using containers!

The Top 10 Best Apps For Helping You Move

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The Top 10 Best Apps For Helping You Move

The Top 10 Best Apps For Helping You Move

Moving. It is stressful and can get messy very fast. Lucky for you there is a wave of technology and apps to help you ease the stress of moving. There are moving apps for everything from downsizing to getting settled into your new home. Below we will take a look at the top 10 best apps to help you move and when its the best time to download them to your smartphone.

Moving Day Apps To Help You Downsize

ThredUP: This app allows you to clean out your closet of the clothes you no longer wear and do not want the hassle of moving. ThredUP will send you a huge plastic bag complete with prepaid return shipping. All you need to do once you get the bag is fill it up with all those clothes you do not want, just make sure they are still in good condition. After the bag is full simply send it back to ThredUp and they will buy the stuff they want and donate the rest. Bonus: this saves you a trip to goodwill and you make some cash in the process.

Letgo: This Craigslist style app allows you to quickly sell unwanted furniture, technology and toys. You can sell as localized as you want to and connect with both buyers and sellers so you can clear out the extra clutter fast. The bonus here is you can also make some cash in the process while clearing out your home to pack what you know you will actually use.

Best Apps To Help You Organize As You Pack Up

Sortly: This app is an innovative moving checklist. It allows you to take a total inventory of your home room for room before you start your packing. Just take a photo of each item and organize them into categories, and quickly know exactly what items are in your home. Now as you pack you can assign each item to a certain box and create a QR code label for all your boxes. Doing this will make it easy to locate all of these items once they arrive in your new home. You can now easily scan a code on the box and see what is inside instead of taking extra time to open each box and dig through it looking for something. This is also a helpful app if you are planning on placing some of your boxes in a storage unit.

MyMove: Now that you are ready to pack this app will help you create a timeline of up to eight weeks before your move. Along with helping you stay focused on weekly tasks, it also provides reviews of different moving companies and obtain free quotes. This is an app that has a focus on those using professional movers rather than those that want to do the move themselves.

Moving Checklist Pro: This is exactly as it says. It is an app with built-in lists that give you people to contact during your move and things you need to do during your move. It allows you to color code your action items so you can see your progress as well as lets you set priorities for certain things on your list. You are also able to customize your own lists and categories to fit the list to your particular move.

Unpakt: If you are hiring movers this is a great moving app for you. This apps allows you to not only book the movers right from the app but you can mange and pay for your move all in the same place as well. This stops you from the long drawn out task of calling several moving companies and asking for quotes. Here you simply enter your moving details and see a list of various moving prices from several cities across 37 states.

Move Advisor: This is an app that has the features of all the above apps combined. It tracks your home inventory, finds movers, creates a timeline for your move and can get free moving quotes for you. While this sounds great there is the drawback that the app does not link you with the moving companies, they will have to contact you. If you are okay with that, then this could be a great one stop moving app for you.

Best Moving Apps Once You Are Home

MagicPlan: This is an app that lets you use your iPhone or iPad camera and turns it into drawing software. You use this in each room of your new home going from corner to corner with our camera. The drawing is then saved and you can use it to figure out just where to place everything into your new home. You will be able to arrange things inside the app and create potential floor plans with your all your belongings in place.

Thumbtack: This app lets your hire housecleaners, interior designers, painters, security companies and more. No matter what you need to get your new home in tip top shape, you can find professionals for just about anything you need in all 50 states.

Nextdoor: Now that you are in your new home it is time to check out the neighborhood and surrounding area, even a little more than you did before you bought your new place. This app is a privatized social media tool that let you connect with just those in your neighborhood. You can meet your neighbors through this app or online.

From cleaning house, downsizing, packing, storing, moving and get situated in your new home there are some great moving apps out there to help you get it done. Take some of the stress off of yourself by using these best moving apps and get yourself ready to go.