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Latest Posts
- 8 Aug 11 - Top 7 Common Items that Shipping Containers Beat in Value
- 1 Jul 11 - Shipping Containers and Sustainability, Pt. 3
- 24 Jun 11 - Shipping Containers and Sustainability, Pt. 2
- 16 Jun 11 - Shipping Containers and Sustainability, Pt. 1
- 2 Jun 11 - Falcon is Famous!
- 27 Apr 11 - Falcon moves to Area 51
- 15 Mar 11 - The Container Bar made from Shipping Containers
- 15 Mar 11 - Ideal Guesthouse Made From Shipping Containers
- 11 Mar 11 - Why Falcon is trying tablets - and why we're picking Xoom over iPad2.
- 9 Mar 11 - Modified Shipping Container
Authors blogs
Repurposing shipping containers - the Boxpert Blog
Customized Portable Storage Containers
We handle all types of orders for customized/modified portable storage containers. Requests can range from simple modifications such as adding a vent or window, to more complicated work like a finished out office or army training village.
2 Key Questions about Storage Containers
When talking to people about renting or purchasing a portable storage container, I often get a lot of the same questions and concerns. Today, while showing a customer our inventory in Austin, Texas, I jotted down a few questions he asked. In my book, no question is a "stupid question," especially when it comes to storage containers- so here's a few I thought I'd share with you:
Portable Storage Container vs. Storage Sheds
Finally, the time had come.
It's not that we'd OUTGROWN our garage + attic storage. We actually do a pretty decent job of purging stuff we don't need anymore. But our family had made the decision to repurpose the garage as a gameroom, and that decision means that even the stuff we DO need must find a new home. So the time had come: we needed a storage shed.
I've owned and used storage sheds in the past - they're flimsy and cramped, and in wind storms they give you a little angst as you envision the shed collapsing and your possessions blowing away.. Eventually they rust away to nothing, because of necessity they are made from pretty light gauge material. But they fit in the back yard, and if you believe the sales literature, they're easy to assemble.
So I bought one. My first problem was building a suitable foundation. That was the first weekend, and the first $300. It was a fun project for the kids - but mostly they got to watch Dad sweat it out while babbling obscure lessons on geometry and trigonometry. Then the rains came - luckily we kept the shed kit under cover so the bajillion pieces of sheet metal wouldn't get all wet and rusty before assembly - only a couple of rust stains appeared.
The next weekend was long for the 4th of July, so I was confident we'd have plenty of time to put up the shed and still enjoy the holiday. After cutting back some tree limbs and letting the foundation dry out, I was finally ready to assemble! By now it was REALLY hot, and the help from the kids was either overwhelming (think: "How can we help, Daddy? Can I do it? Hey! Give that back!") or scarce when I really needed it (think: "Can you please hand me another screw and washer? Hello? Where'd you go??"). Now I think I'm pretty handy, but it took about a day to get the walls going and another day to do the roof and doors and finalizing things. Now and the long weekend was over, and our garage still had most of the stuff in it.
As it turns out, I'm glad the garage was still full, because he rains came again, and I was really discouraged to find water standing inside my "simple" little shed. Now I have caulked everything down to the foundation, and I'm hopeful that it will stay dry. Hmm, I wonder if that dry space will attract ants?
I suppose these tribulations would be just part of life in suburbia, if I didn't have such intimate knowledge of the ISO shipping container! For not much more money I could have way more space, a rock-solid foundation, and structural walls that won't even think about leaking. Even the undercarriage is coated with a waterproof bitumen that should keep the ants out! But alas, we live in a neighborhood with covenants -- maybe I should have used my time to convince the neighborhood association that these non-flammable, nearly indestructible structures are the wave of the future in neighborhood enhancements! Maybe if I painted one to look like a neighborhood-approved shrub, nobody would notice....
Containers for Austin Wine Festival
Did you know that the Texas Hill Country is the 2nd fastest-growing wine destination in the country? The Austin Wine & Music Festival holds a yearly event over Memorial Day weekend. The event is outdoors and showcases many local wineries, food, musicians, and arts and crafts. For the past four years this group has relied on repurposed shipping containers to help simplify the operations that are involved with this very busy and quickly expanding event. This year (as you will see in the video) they rented two 40' container offices which they used for media and accounting. This also provided a place for the workers involved to have a cool place to rest- it was 95 degrees and humid that weekend! The third container they used was a 40' Falcon Cool Box, which is insulated and air conditioned. They were able to store all of the wineries extra wine and other perishable items, without being worried about the heat or rain. Things ran smoothly with efficient deliveries and great service from the team at Falcon. All of the wine was fantastic- if you didn't make it out this year make sure to put it on the calendar for next year!
How to Open a Portable Storage Container
Here's a quick how-to video from our Austin staff on How to Open a Portable Storage Container. You have to start with the right hand cargo door first, pull both handles at the same time and then open the left hand cargo door. The biggest mistake first-time users make in opening portable storage containers is trying to open the left hand door first. Watch Reba from our Austin nest show you how to do it.
Shipping Containers for Intertube Rentals
For the last two years, the San Marcos Lion's Club has repurposed shipping containers to use for their tube rental business during the Summer. They run a tube rental station for people to float on the river that runs through San Marcos. Each year they are able to raise money for their association and the charities that they support, as well as create a fun activity for their community. Originally they had a structure to use; however, it burned down and they have not been able to replace it. They use several portable storage containers to hold the tubes and a modified office container to run the transactions. This has helped simplify their operations and keep the business up and running!