8 Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Containers
At one point or another, we have all seen one of those large iron or corrugated units known as a shipping container. Usually, we tend to associate such containers with transporting items on a transport ship, truck, or train.
However, did you know this is not the only way to use such containers? In fact, shipping containers are becoming used more commonly as storage units where people store all kinds of things, ranging from personal belongings to excess stock from their businesses.
There are a number of reasons why shipping containers make good storage units, such as the fact that they are significantly less expensive than building conventional storage facilities.
They are also simple to secure, and their wide opening makes it easy to fit in large items, such as motorcycles, furniture items, and workout equipment. Shipping containers in Ontario also do not require much upkeep and are easy to use and access, making them an ideal storage solution.
What are some of the most frequently asked questions about shipping containers?
When you are considering a new option for storing your things, such as a shipping container in Ontario, it is natural to have a variety of questions about the logistics of this storage approach.
In fact, it is important to ask such questions ahead of time to ensure that you make the right call and choose a storage method that will match your needs. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions that people tend to ask about shipping containers:
1. How long do shipping containers last on average?
Because shipping containers are built to last, they can certainly provide long-term storage solutions. Depending on exterior conditions and how they are transported, a maintained shipping container can last up to 50 years.
You may only ever need one shipping container over the lifetime of your business, making it a worthwhile investment.
2. What kind of maintenance is necessary for a shipping container?
Often, shipping containers do not require much upkeep, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to maintain their condition and enhance their longevity.
While loading your things into a shipping container, avoid damaging the interior and do not overfill it with too much weight. It is also important to occasionally inspect the shipping container’s door for damage or signs of wear, such as dirt and rust, and treat these issues as needed.
In addition, if you notice any holes forming in your shipping container due to rust or any other reason, make sure that you patch them up to ensure that your things stay safe and protected from the elements.
3. Are shipping containers wind and watertight?
Since shipping containers are built to withstand the conditions they face while transporting goods across the ocean on the decks of ships, they are very wind and watertight.
To protect their contents from wind and water, shipping containers are typically equipped with heavy-duty rubber door seals. If a shipping container is older, having these seals inspected may be a good idea to ensure that their integrity is still intact.
4. What is the best surface to place a shipping container on?
When deciding where to put your shipping container, it is ideal to find an area that is dry and relatively level so that the doors can open and close properly. Thus, concrete, tarmac, and paved surfaces are best for positioning shipping containers.
Although it may not always be possible to find such surfaces, it is necessary to avoid damp, soft, and uneven surfaces or use paving stones or timbers to even out a shipping container if it must be placed on uneven ground.
5. How secure are shipping containers?
It is quite easy to make shipping containers very secure using a variety of methods, such as fitting a lock to the doors. The simplest way to do this is to put a padlock through the customs tag hole in the right-hand door handle.
If you are worried this will not be enough, you can add a steel hasp secured across the joint between the two doors. That way, it would require heavy-duty equipment like burning or grinding gear to break into the container, which is extremely unlikely.
6. What are the standard sizes of shipping containers?
There are a few different standard sizes of shipping containers available. When considering the size of a shipping container, it is important to pay attention to both its physical dimensions and its maximum payload.
For instance, a 20’ standard container is 20’ long, 8’ wide, and 8’6’’ tall, and it has a cubic capacity of about 1,165 cubic feet and a maximum payload of approximately 62,000 pounds.
A 40’ standard container is 40’ long, 8’ wide, and 8’6’’ tall, and it has a cubic capacity of about 2,350 cubic feet and a maximum payload of about 59,000 pounds.
Finally, a 40’ high cube container is 40’ long, 8’ wide, and 9’6’’ tall, and it has a cubic capacity of about 2,700 cubic feet and a maximum payload of about 63,000 pounds.
7. Is it possible to rent a shipping container?
Sometimes, if you only require a shipping container on a temporary basis, such as when moving to a new house or office space, it might not make as much sense to purchase a shipping container.
Fortunately, in such instances, it is usually possible to rent a shipping container and pay for it on a month-by-month basis.
8. How can I receive my shipping container?
In most cases, when you are purchasing or renting a shipping container, it will be delivered to you. However, it is up to you to prepare a drop location for it, which means removing obstacles from this area and ensuring that the ground conditions are safe.
You may even want to place at least two 8’ long 4 x 4 wooden blanks down in the area where the container will be to help keep it level and elevated.
How Sigma Container Corporation Can Help Make Shipping Container Storage Smoother for You
If you require a shipping container in Ontario for storing your things, Sigma Container Corporation can provide exactly what you are looking for. We have an assortment of both new and used shipping containers for sale that are perfect for all kinds of different storage uses, and we can get them to you in just 1-5 business days.
All of our containers are either in “one trip” condition, meaning they have only been used to carry cargo overseas once, or they have been used for longer periods, but have been deemed cargo-worthy.
All our shipping containers are covered by a 1-year warranty, which guarantees that they will remain wind and watertight under reasonable use conditions. We offer month-to-month rental options and can even arrange a rent-to-own agreement if you’d like. We value efficiency and reliability and will always get your shipping container to you on time and in the condition that is expected.
For more information about the finer details of our shipping containers or to learn more about our purchase and rental options, call Sigma Container Corporation at 855-340-3342 or contact us here.