Category: Shipping Container Blog

The Challenges of Building a Shipping Container Structure

The Challenges of Building a Shipping Container StructureIf you’re absolutely in love with the corrugated, industrial and modular look that’s distinctive of shipping-container structures, then you’re definitely right on-trend! And as it turns out, this aesthetic coupled with the extreme security against break-ins that steel containers offer might well be one of the most appealing factors when it comes to deciding to build with shipping containers.

It’s a decision that warrants careful consideration, though. For one thing, it’s debatable whether building with containers will save you money. What’s more, your construction team will require absolute competence when it comes to the science of these modular structures—not to mention a flawless understanding of various methods of insulating. Nevertheless, people are still eagerly choosing to build with containers—and they’re doing it, quite often, without regret!

Numerous current articles detail the ins and outs of container building, and even a quick perusal of the readily available literature reveals certain themes:

  1. Research and expertise are required when it comes to insulation. In fact, without a foolproof insulation plan in place before the construction work begins, issues with condensation, roof-ventilation, excessive wind noise, and of course heating-and-cooling challenges can arise. Again, the key is expertise: it’s repeatedly recommended that your contractor should have plenty of experience building with containers.
  2. Especially with a “stacked” design it’s crucial to understand a container’s structural ability and how this can work modularly—in other words, know the most efficient way to keep the load-bearing walls strong. Whenever possible, don’t cut the containers, since they’ll need to be steel-reinforced and welded when they’re cut. Again, a structural engineer with container experience will prove invaluable.
  3. Know local building codes before you buy your land. That way you can avoid as many limitations as possible and choose the best location based on how your design fits into the codes.
  4. Examine all possible hidden costs, and don’t assume that a container structure is necessarily going to be cheaper than a conventional building. It cannot be overstated that a good structural engineer can save you money. Some cost-cutting tips include minimizing cutting and therefore welding and steel-reinforcement costs, and, most important, have your entire plan in place before you begin—details that might be easily added or altered as an afterthought with a traditional structure, such as those involving holes in the steel for plumbing and wiring, frequently require invasive backtracking when it comes to container buildings.
  5. Foremost, though, know and trust the company from which you buy your containers. Many builders report preventable problems that stem from the very beginning—from the purchase of their containers. For example, make sure you understand the advantages of barely-used containers, known as “one-trip” containers, and what great savings they can offer. Choose a company with the experience and knowledge necessary to explain every aspect of possible container choices: don’t get stuck with an inappropriate container because all your options weren’t fully explained to you.

Nothing can beat the security or the novel appearance of a container dwelling, and many folks who have undergone the challenges of building such structures wouldn’t change a thing.

To make sure that you, too, are a satisfied shipping container customer, whether you’re building or simply storing or transporting, contact us before your project begins!

Shipping Container Dance Studio

Finding room to practice your dancing at home can be a real challenge. Furniture takes up much of the space in a house and when you finally do find a bit of room to move you quickly learn that you are under foot much of the time. Why not build a tiny, backyard studio out of a shipping container?

A shipping container dance studio can be as fancy or as minimal as you like. Want to put in as little effort as possible? That’s just fine. Since your won’t be living in the space plumbing won’t be necessary, electrical can be minimal, and insulation can be non-existent in more temperate climates. Alternatively, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your studio you may want to make it as comfortable as possible. Either way, make sure to do your research before beginning such a project to avoid any surprises along the way.

As far as the dance studio portion of your studio goes, very little is needed. A dance floor is built easily enough using two by fours for a frame and eight foot sheets of plywood. Put a bit of foam underneath for a cushy landing. Use a finish on the wood or leave it raw if you prefer. Just know that raw wood will become worn more quickly than finished wood. Add a ballet barre for under $200 and a CD player or iPod Dock and you have a practice space fit for a queen.

If you are interested in purchasing a high quality shipping container from a company you can trust contact us today!

A New Way To Hunt: Hunting Cabin Containers

A New Way To Hunt: Hunting Cabin ContainersRemember being a young sportsmen; hoping to own a piece of land loaded with enough wild game to make Davy Crockett envious?  A place where memories are made, traditions are upheld and legendary trophies are harvested.  GOContainers has an affordable option for your next hunting cabin.

With the increasing cost of labor and building materials, the dream of owning a hunting cabin has simply become unattainable for many; at least until now.

Many sportsmen across the country are deciding to move to a more affordable option.  For a fraction of the price of a stick built cabin, a growing number of sportsmen are opting for the Hunting Cabin Container. This option allows hunters to spend the majority of their resources on what really matters: the refuge that we call “hunting land” and the pursuit of the hunt.  These units are not only more affordable than a traditional cabin; they are also more secure and require less maintenance.

While other companies have attempted to emulate the Hunting Cabin Container, none have mastered it like GOContainers.  GOContainers has been synonymous with quality and reliability in the portable storage industry since 1986.  These same standards are met in each steel shipping container cabin.

If you have been saving and waiting for an opportunity to be the owner of your own hunting shack, this could be what finally gets you there.  GOContainers  has experienced representatives who guide customers through the process of selecting from a multitude of options to create the perfect hunting cabin. Give us a call today!

Trendy Portable Storage Container “Tiny Homes”

Trendy Portable Storage Container "Tiny Homes"Many out-of-the-box thinkers are checking out the relatively new “Tiny Homes” housing trend.  Used portable storage containers make good tiny homes and are in high demand because they are easy to convert, and GOContainers is the place to get them. Portable storage containers re-purposed into tiny homes are an excellent choice for people who like to have a place for everything and everything in its place. These space-saving homes are perfect for people who are steadfastly against clutter. Depending on local zoning ordinances, tiny home dwellers could buy a lot in town, have their container hauled in and set up, and hook up to city water and sewer. Many rural communities have more lax, less restrictive rules and ordinances, and a tiny home could be set up on a parcel of land where a well and septic could be installed and hooked up to the home.

Portable storage container tiny homes fit right in with the off-the-grid lifestyle many people are opting for these days. People who choose this lifestyle may incorporate household systems that are totally self-contained and self-sustaining such as solar or other alternative heat source, rain catchment systems for their water supply, and composting toilets, negating the need for a well and septic system or the cruder outhouse. They typically have a garden and/or greenhouse to grow their own vegetables, chickens for meat and eggs, and perhaps a goat or two for milk.

On the other end of the spectrum, storage container tiny homes are even being considered as viable housing options by major metropolitan centers, such as Phoenix, which just allowed a more liberal reading of its city building codes to allow construction of the first apartment community of its kind in the Western U.S. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton stated:

“It’s part of a new approach to development in the city. My attitude and the attitude of the City of Phoenix is, ‘What the heck? Let’s give it a shot!’ If you have an innovative idea and you want to bring it to Phoenix, you’re going to get the support of the city. We want great ideas to come to fruition in our city.” Read more

Depending on how tiny you want your tiny home, most portable storage containers have a single set of swing doors on one end and come in a variety of sizes, the most common being: 10′, 20’, 40’, and 45′ in length and either the standard 8’6″ height or the 9’6″ High Cube height. There are also specialty containers that you might opt for, like if you want a “front and back door,” you could get a container with double swing doors on each end. You can also get them with open top, open-side, or steel floor.

Other features that make them great for re-purposing into tiny homes:

  • They have high-strength, long-lasting, corrosion-resistant construction.
  • They are built with strong, protective Corten steel that guard protects against external damage that may be caused by rodents or other pests.
  • The containers are constructed with quality hinges and finishes that help extend their lifespan.
  • They are weather-resistant, able to withstand intense humidity and hot or cold temperatures — perfect for any weather condition.
  • They have 2 to 10 factory-passive side vents to release excess heat build-up.
  • They are wind-tight and water-tight, providing high resistance against moisture, mold, and wear and tear.
  • They are suitable for long-term use.
  • Since they are originally built for transport, they can be easily moved.
  • Storage containers usually meet or exceed local building codes.

If you are thinking about buying a home, are in favor of a smaller footprint than a conventional home, and like the quirky idea of a trendy chic tiny home, contact GOContainers to help you pull it all together.

The Hunting Cabin Container

The Hunting Cabin ContainerIf you have a hunting cabin, you may have experienced some of the issues that can plague them. Whether it’s cabin invaders (either 2 or 4 legged), rotting wood, or a leaky roof, conventional cabins can require a lot of maintenance and care. If you’re thinking about building your dream hunting cabin, you might want to consider using a shipping container as a base. After all, you want to spend your time hunting or hanging out with your hunting buddies rather than repairing your cabin. And you definitely don’t want to arrive just to find that a trespasser accidentally burned down your cabin!

Because a shipping container is constructed of sturdy metal and can be sealed up tight, when you arrive you’ll find your container cabin in exactly the same condition as when you left it last. Add an outhouse or composting toilet, water cistern, a camp stove, and solar power or a wind turbine and your cabin will have all of the comforts a hunter could want no matter how far out in the woods it is.

The Hunting Cabin Container

To see a finished example of what your hunting cabin might be like, check out this one on YouTube. If you want a cabin large enough to accommodate a bigger hunting party, this one melds two containers into one comfortable cabin. It’s so nice inside, even the non-hunting members of your party will probably enjoy spending time there!

When you’re ready to build your “contained” cabin, contact us. We can provide you with a container that is just right for your build.

Should You Consider a “1-Trip” Shipping Container?

Should You Consider a "1-Trip" Shipping Container?The 1-trip shipping container is a beautiful thing in the world of shipping containers, and by beautiful we mean it’s only been used once during its journey to North America. The one trip container has actually been used for one cargo load, hence the name, but for all intents and purposes, it is new. The question is, does new matter? Here are three things to consider when choosing a new or used shipping container?

How long do you plan on using the shipping container?

The average used shipping container for sale is around 8-14 years old. If your needs are short term, such as just a few months or years, a used container will probably suit your needs just fine. If you’re looking for a container for the long term a new container may be more practical. A new container without receiving any maintenance will last for 10 years. With proper maintenance and care, they can last another 20 years beyond that. Of course, this also means a well-cared for used container could potentially last for 20 or more years as well.

How important are aesthetics?

A new 1-trip container has fresh paint and is remarkably clean inside and out. For some companies, this makes a difference, for others it makes no difference at all. Consider what the container will be used for and how important the looks are. If you are storing scrap material or used tires, how fresh the paint looks is probably not a priority.

How specific must your containers be?

For some companies, container specification is crucial. They rely on each containers being identical. They require the same manufacturer, the same wall thickness, and the exact same color. This is extremely difficult to achieve with used containers. If specifics are vital, it may be time to consider 1-trip containers.

Contact us today to begin your search for the perfect storage container. Our dedication and attention to detail ensures you receive the highest quality container every time.

Welcome to our Newly Updated, Interactive Website!

For instant GOContainers prices around the great State of Texas, SELECT the size of container you are looking for and the price range you’d like to stay in. For a quote which includes DELIVERY for the container you have selected, click on “GET A DELIVERY QUOTE” and you’re on your way to a custom quote delivered to your home, job site, factory, school, church, government facilities or anywhere else we can get it to you …or you can always pick up the phone and give us a call. We love talking to customers because we talk straight with honesty, inte

We may only sell containers but we offer solutions that make your shipping, storage, temporary office, hunting lodge, fishing cabin, or home construction needs seem less a problem and more like a one-stop resource. It all starts with one click or phone call. If we don’t have the answers, we’ll do everything we can to point you in the right direction.

We take this “help your neighbor approach” because we believe in traditional American homespun values learned at our grandmother’s knees…treat people considerately and fairly with honesty and integrity as core values…and we don’t argue with granny!

Check back often as we are always looking for ways to save customers money!

Fireworks Stands-Best Prices!

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We custom make 20′ & 40′ Fireworks Stands! Example of modifications can include all or some of the following: Fresh paint inside and out (choose your color), concession doors with pneumatic shocks, electrical set-up including outlets and overhead lighting, steel personnel doors and more, just ask for a custom quote. Click on picture above for a slide show of this 20’L x 8’6″H x 8′ W Fireworks Stand recently sold from our Dallas location and delivered to Huntsville, TX. The one shown was $4,500 + delivery which we can arrange anywhere!

Clearance Prices on Slightly Damaged Containers

We made a special purchase on New “1-trip” 40′ Standards for ONLY $3,995 or 40′ High Cubes for ONLY $4,145…call or  CLICK here for a PRICE QUOTE including delivery!  Hurry Supplies are limited at this price!

We have also further discounted some slightly damaged or plain ol’ ugly but Wind & Watertight….20’s……40′ Standard (8’6″H)……40′ High Cubes (9’6″H)……& (1) 45′ High Cube (9’6″H). Call or CLICK here for a PRICE QUOTE including delivery!