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Shipping Container Housing: Tips for Beginners

7th October 2020

There are many reasons why more and more people are choosing to convert a shipping container to live in. For starters, the housing market has made it incredibly expensive to get onto the property ladder in a conventional way. Shipping container accommodation can be cost-effective, give you a great deal of flexibility over the design […]

What is an Intermodal Container?

If you have been looking into shipping containers, you may have noticed that they have sometimes been referred to as ‘intermodal’. This term is attributed to the fact that shipping containers were originally designed and built to be transferred between different modes of transport. What Are Intermodal Containers Used For? Shipping containers were traditionally designed […]

Meeting room with wardrobes and strip lights

Using a Shipping Container for an Art Exhibition

We have seen converted shipping containers being used for everything from smoking shelters to bars and cafes to temporary hospital wards. So, for those who are looking for a space to house an art exhibition, shipping containers could be the perfect solution. Shipping containers are, in essence, a large metal box. They are durable and […]

Intermodal Container Weights Limits

If you are planning on getting an intermodal shipping container to transport your cargo around the world, it is important that you understand their weight limits. When it comes to the various modes of transport that you might be using, they may each have their own rules and regulations surrounding the weight limit. In addition […]

Operating Out of Your Shipping Container Café

You may have noticed a boom in the number of cafés that you see made out of converted shipping containers. There are several benefits for café owners – especially fledgeling ones – to use a shipping container that has been customised to suit their needs. There are several features that you can add to your […]

Intermodal Container Specifications & Regulations

Intermodal shipping containers – or shipping containers, as they are more commonly known – have been specifically designed so that they are uniform. This means that they can be used to carry cargo across the world, being transferred easily between different modes of transport such as cargo ships, trains and trucks. It is important, therefore, […]

Bedroom with orange carpet and black sofa

How To Convert A Shipping Container Into A Tiny Home

With the issues that we have surrounding housing in the UK at the moment, people are getting increasingly creative about where they are living. One trend that we are noticing is the rise in the number of people who are converting a shipping container into a home. There are many reasons why this is a […]

How To Clad a Shipping Container

There are many reasons why people choose to use a new or second-hand shipping container as a temporary or semi-permanent structure. They can be converted into anything from a garden office, to a pop-up bar, to a modular classroom, or a lithium battery storage facility. A converted shipping container can offer you the perfect solution, […]

Designing Your Shipping Container Restaurant

From modular classrooms to exhibition stands and housing, we are seeing shipping containers being converted and used for an array of different purposes today. This is a sign of how flexible they are for people to construct with – a blank canvas and building block for people to let their imaginations run wild. One of […]

Creating Containers for Sustainable Living

As the world becomes increasingly concerned with the state of the planet and we try to live our lives in an eco-friendlier way, we are seeing that reducing our waste and cutting our carbon footprint are ways that we can all do our bit. And when it comes to changing how we go about our […]

What Can You Fit in a 20ft Shipping Container?

If you are looking to hire a shipping container to store your belongings, it can be a challenge to know what size you want to hire. Shipping containers are usually available in six sizes – 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, and the high cube versions of them. When you are choosing a shipping container to hire, the […]

Shelves inside a container painted white

Things to Know About Self-Storage

There are many reasons why you might need to use a self-storage facility. Maybe you are moving house and want to de-clutter whilst it is on the market, or you are looking to store some of your belongings that are only used once a year, or you have a child going off to university with […]

Storage Tips for Containers

There is an infinite number of ways that you can use a new or second-hand shipping container. We are seeing people using them for everything from building modular homes to using them to store lithium batteries. One of the most popular ways that they are used is for storage. Shipping containers were originally designed and […]

Secure Storage & Dispatch Office Conversions

Space is of the essence in the world today and as businesses expand, it can be both a massive upheaval and very expensive to find and move to new premises. One solution that we are increasingly seeing is the use of shipping container conversions to create more space. The use of shipping containers as building […]

Home Businesses You Can Run from a Shipping Container

One of the best things about shipping containers is that you can adapt them for almost any situation. Whether you are looking to adapt your shipping container to use it as a studio, workshop, or office, it offers an excellent solution to creating an extra space to work in. There are several reasons why getting […]

Gas Machinery Housing Applications of Containers

When it comes to storing any sort of gas machinery – or indeed, anything that is flammable – it is important that it is stored as safely as possible, preferably in a fire-resistant storage facility. Thanks to the fact that they are made from metal and are, therefore, fire-resistant, a converted shipping container is the […]

Qualities Of Fire Resistant Containers

Converted shipping containers are used for many things these days, from housing to modular classrooms to lithium battery storage. And one of the most important aspects of them is the fact that they are resistant to fire. This means that they can be extremely useful in many situations. How are Shipping Containers Fire Resistant? Shipping […]

Engineering Mobile Water Treatment Plants

Engineering Mobile Water Treatment Plants Ensuring that we have safe and clean water is vital for every business and every community in the world. For some, this will mean having a water treatment plant available to them. Water treatment plants need to be kept somewhere that is safe and secure (to avoid deliberate contamination) as […]

Creating Container Control Rooms

Regardless of whether you have a temporary building site or a permanent base that you are looking to expand, a control or operations room can be the beating heart of many sites. It can be the place where everything is controlled from, visitors report to and staff look to for direction. There are many benefits […]

Capitalising on Your Storage Potential

There are always going to be times in our lives when we need to find some extra storage space. It might be that you are looking to declutter your home when you put it on the market, or maybe you have a child going off to university, or perhaps you have a gap between moving […]

Using Containers for Portable Wheelchair Clinics

One of the best things about shipping containers is that they can be easily converted to become modular buildings. From cafés and restaurants to plant rooms and medical facilities, the flexibility and robustness that shipping containers offer means that there is an infinite number of potential uses for them. Teamed with the fact that they […]

The Process Behind Creating A Personalised Container

There is an infinite number of ways that people are using converted shipping containers. From creating modular classrooms to the storage of lithium batteries to shipping container homes, bars and cafés, to exhibition units, the list is endless… A shipping container is essentially a strong metal box that can be customised and built to create […]

Stock piling food in customer service area

Streamlining Shop Fitting with Shipping Containers

Shopfitting can be a complicated process and a logistical nightmare. Whether you are revamping your existing retail unit or are moving into a new one, you will often come up against common challenges, like where to store stock and furniture, how to ensure that materials arrive at the right time and how to make enough […]

Shipping Containers for Railway Stores

Whether it is machinery, parts of trains, disused parts, or parts that are still waiting to be used, there is always a need for somewhere that certain objects can be stored in the railway industry. There are some objects that can be small and others that can be very large, so it is imperative that […]

Shipping Container Bars – Revolutionising Your Drinking Experience

Bar and café owners have been looking for ways to stand out, to find their niche, make their drinking establishments look great and on-brand, all whilst keeping their costs as low as possible. We are also seeing a trend in pop-up bars and restaurants. Street food is all the rage and independent, characterful bars – […]

Using Shipping Container Housing For Lab Equipment

Regardless of the work that you are carrying out in your laboratory, it is likely that you will have expensive, important and often irreplaceable equipment. It will need to be properly protected in the right environment from weather, damage and thieves. Finding the best place to house your lab equipment, therefore, is very important. Losing […]

Aerial view of CGI container with no roof

How To Create Portable School Workshops

It might be that your school is expanding at a rate of knots, or that you are looking to spread a cramped classroom into extra space, but sometimes all schools need to create more space for workshops and modular classrooms. Portable school workshops can be useful not only because they will satisfy a need, but […]

Creating Safe & Secure Tool Stores

Finding a place to safely lock tools away overnight or when you aren’t at work is a common problem for many people. Vehicles can be easily broken into and tools can be expensive, awkward to replace and can cause hassle and delays in getting work done. A converted shipping container is the perfect place to […]

Wooden shack with curved roof and metal feature

Creating A Shipping Container Wildlife Hotel

With the world becoming increasingly concerned about our environment and protecting local ecosystems through flora and fauna, we are seeing more and more people looking to help promote local wildlife, both publicly and privately in their own gardens. One way that you can help your local wildlife flourish is by allowing your garden to grow […]

How Shipping Containers Can Be Used for Liquid Air Storage

Liquid air is the air that has been cooled down to such a low temperature that it has become a liquid. Many people are getting excited over its potential, especially as a prospective energy source to be used to power cars in the future. Being at such a cold temperature – typically below -194.35°C – […]

Using A Container as your Business’ Reception Building

If you have a business that is rapidly expanding, maybe you don’t have enough room in your existing premises, are looking for a reception area that is separate from other offices, or indeed, don’t require much office space at all, it can be tricky to find a bricks and mortar solution. One of the best […]

Shipping Container Control Room Design

Whether you are looking for a temporary site office on a building site, or maybe a more permanent control room for your business, a converted shipping container could be the ideal solution for your specific needs. Although they were originally designed and built to be used to transport cargo around the world, shipping containers have […]

Secure Water Treatment Housing with A Container

Ensuring that our water is properly treated is vital to a country’s environmental health, as well as the population’s personal health. It is essential that we have water that is suitable for drinking, is free from harmful contaminants and that wastewater is also dealt with properly. Although water treatment systems are the key to ensuring […]

How To Use A Shipping Container as a Mobile Lab

When it comes to research and testing, it isn’t always viable to transport specimens to a static laboratory potentially miles away. Sometimes, labs need to be in a specific location, remotely, on a site, or even in a hospital or supermarket car park. Having a mobile lab can make testing and analysing more convenient and […]

Ion battery storage container with exterior fan

How To Convert Containers For Battery Storage

When it comes to storing batteries, there are strict rules that must be adhered to. Lithium batteries run a serious risk of fire if certain parts of the battery come into contact with them, and this can be particularly dangerous if you have a large battery. Finding a solution for the storage of batteries can […]

How To Enhance Shipping Container Security

Shipping containers were originally specifically designed to meet a few different criteria. Of course, they need to be able to be stacked effectively and easily transferred from one mode of transport to another, but they also need to be able to properly protect their contents. Shipping containers are robust and built to withstand extreme weather […]

Considerations For A Water Treatment Plant

The size and location of a water treatment plant is often determined by a few different factors – the size of the area that is being serviced, where there is space, and where is best logistically to place it, for example. For many people, these factors will stay reasonably constant, but for many others, they […]

Design Process for a Shipping Container Kiosk

There are many ways that creative people are using shipping containers in today’s society. The fact that they can reduce waste by being given another life after their use for transporting goods across the world, whilst being easily joined together and customised to create a new space has meant that ‘shipping container buildings’ have been […]

Deciding Between New & Used Containers

There are many reasons why more and more people are taking to using converted shipping containers for more than just storing and transporting cargo. Whether you are looking for a pop-up café, exhibition stand, site office, or even looking to design a modular home, shipping containers are an excellent option. If you are looking to […]

Creating Containers for the Oil Industry

Oil is an important commodity in the world today and means big business. There is a strong necessity for oil and we see companies doing everything possible to find and extract as much oil as they can. The places in the world that are rich in oil are often those that suffer extremes in temperature, […]

Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Regulations UK

Lithium-Ion batteries have become increasingly popular in their use over the last few years. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that they are light in weight compared to other energy storage solutions and they can easily be recharged to give an appliance a long-lasting shelf-life. We now see lithium-ion batteries in use […]

Battery Storage Containers: Features & Specs

As the world continues to look for greener solutions to our energy requirements, as well as adapting to changes in the way that we are living, we are seeing an increased need for energy storage solutions like lithium-ion batteries. These batteries give us the option of charging all sorts of appliances to allow us to […]

How to Set Up & Expand A Self-Storage Business

Those who are looking for a good business opportunity could do much worse than setting up their own self-storage business. People will always be needing places to store their belongings – whether it is on a short term or a longer-term basis, there will also be businesses looking to store extra stock and even community […]

Revolutionising Sports Storage

Whether you have a sports club that caters to a range of different sports, or a club that only practices a specific sport, there is always going to be a time when you need some extra storage space. With space being increasingly limited and sports clubs often needing extra storage at short notice, finding new […]

Managing Inventory & Demand with Onsite Storage

Knowing how to deal with stock is a major part of running many businesses. It is important to not run out of stock and canny businessmen and women will often take advantage of special deals, buying in bulk, meaning that there will be some excess to be stored. In a business climate that is uncertain […]

Using Shipping Containers for Event Space

Whether you are looking to sell vegan food at a festival, set up an artisan coffee stall in a busy spot, or are wanting to display your work at an expo, having a useful yet great looking stall is vital. You need it to look the part, display your brand perfectly, yet be functional in […]

TransPAC container being lifted by crane

A Guide To Shipping Container Groundworks

When expecting the delivery of a shipping container, it is important to ensure that you have prepared the ground ready for your container. This process is commonly referred to as “Groundworks” and entails preparing the ground for the delivery or installation of a container. What base does the container need to have? Unlike the building […]

Can A Shipping Container Be Used as a Faraday Cage?

For many people, a Faraday Cage is something for conspiracy theorists and those who believe that Armageddon is on its way. In actual fact, a Faraday Cage can be a useful thing for many people to have. For those who live in areas where there are often storms and lightening, a Faraday Cage can be […]

How Long Does A Shipping Container Conversion Take and How Much Does It Cost?

Due to the fact that shipping containers are so adaptable, we have seen a huge increase in the popularity of them being used for a whole range of applications. Many people choose to use a shipping container to store their belongings or move products around the world – as they were originally designed for. Some […]

A History of ISO Containers

ISO containers are more commonly known as a shipping or storage container. The ‘ISO’ stands for ‘International Organisation for Standardisation’, who are the body who have set the specifications of shipping containers to ensure that they are uniform and can be packed onto a ship properly. When you are buying an ISO container you can be sure, […]

Can a Shipping Container Be Used as a Garage?

One of the best things about shipping containers is that they are so versatile. People are using them for everything from storage and shipping cargo, to home offices, pop-up boutiques and cafes or even restaurants. The idea of buying a shipping container and converting it into a garage isn’t surprising, therefore. The Benefits of using a Shipping […]

How to Calculate Shipping Costs

Shipping containers today are being used for so much more than just shipping. Some people have customised their shipping container to make a home, others an office, whilst other people have used them to create restaurants, garden sheds or to house plants and machinery. Some people, however, want to use a shipping container for the purpose that it was […]

Considerations for Designing a Shipping Container Home

Creating a home from shipping containers is an option that is becoming increasingly appealing for more people. Not only do they support sustainable living, but they can also be more affordable than buying a bricks and mortar home, and with the right amount of care and maintenance they can also last for many years. There […]

What Cleaning Products Are Safe to Use on A Shipping Container?

The world has seen a rise in the use of shipping containers for reasons other than transporting cargo around the world, with an increase in uses such as for storing goods, garden studios, restaurants and cafes and garages. With these additional uses, we are seeing an increased need to keep them clean and in really good condition. […]

Items Prohibited from Shipping Containers

If you have a lot of goods or possessions to transport around the world, packing them into a shipping container and sending it via truck, train or ship is an excellent idea. It is also a very cost-effective option. Shipping containers were specifically designed to be easy to transport, space-effective and easy to transfer between […]

How Many Shipping Containers Are Shipped Each Year?

For many people, shipping containers bring to mind ingenious conversion projects and grand designs where people have creatively turned them into offices, restaurants or homes. With some great concepts brought to life by shipping container conversion specialists, we are now seeing an increasing number of people enjoy the benefits of something designed for the transportation of cargo. […]

How Many Shipping Containers Fit on A Cargo Ship?

Although shipping containers are extremely useful as a construction material, many people still use them for storage and transportation. Shipping containers have been used for decades to transport goods around the world and are still the most popular method of ‘shipping’ for moving goods from one country to another. One of the main reasons shipping […]

Stacked shipping containers in blue and green

How Many Shipping Containers Can You Stack?

One of the best things about shipping containers is their versatility. You can use them for storage or convert your shipping container into a structure that can be used as anything from a construction site office to a pop-up café. Shipping containers are available in three standard sizes – a 10ft container, a 20ft container and a 40ft container. This, along […]

How to Stop Condensation in a Shipping Container

There are many reasons to buy a shipping container. They are a practical and cost-effective storage solution and provide a solid and versatile foundation for construction site welfare units, battery storage enclosures and a wide range of other applications. However, one of the few challenges you might face as a shipping container owner is condensation. While […]

Do Shipping Container Homes Need A Foundation?

There are many reasons to construct a home from shipping containers. Not only are they versatile, they are also a great way to recycle used shipping containers, can be environmentally friendly and are easily portable. Although in some cases planning permission is not required (a shipping container home could be classified as a temporary building), we […]

Can You Get A Mortgage On A Shipping Container Home?

When you buy a shipping container home, it is the same processes as buying a conventional house assuming it is already converted. As with a traditional house, you will buy either the freehold or the leasehold of the land and should be able to get a mortgage to be able to you purchase it in […]

Drone Picture Of Storage Site From Above

How and Where are Shipping Containers Made?

Have you ever wondered about the story behind shipping containers? One of the appeals for those using shipping containers to create homes, restaurants or pop-up shops is their container had a past life, that it has its own history. Often, a container’s past use will be far from its use today – a testament to […]

How Much Does The Average Shipping Container Home Cost?

People have become increasingly creative with shipping containers recently. We have seen its uses grow from a simple solution for streamlining the transportation of cargo, to the foundation for pop-up restaurants, portable offices, laboratories and battery storage facilities. One use for which there has been increasing demand is the construction of houses and living spaces. […]

A Guide To Shipping Container Heights

Regardless of what you are planning to do with your shipping container, it is important that you know its dimensions to ensure it meets your needs and that it fits properly into the proposed space. If you intend to use your shipping container for storage or shipping, it is useful to know how much you […]

A Guide To Shipping Container Weights

You might not think that the weight of your shipping container is particularly important, and once it’s been set down on a firm surface, this is somewhat true if you’re using it for storage. Providing that you have an adequate base, you can then load your shipping container up with your belongings, water treatment plants, […]

Shipping Container Maintenance Tips

One of the reasons why people are increasingly buying shipping containers is that with appropriate maintenance, they can last a long time, regardless of their use. They are made from steel and marine plywood and are built to last. However, as with any material, a shipping container will last longer if it’s well maintained and looked after. […]

Wahaca Restaurant Container Conversion Small

Our Favourite Restaurant Shipping Container Conversion

This list of things that you can do with a shipping container is almost endless. Some people use them to ship their goods around the world; others need them for storage or to house everything from lithium-ion batteries to water plants and treatment systems. Others use them to create a whole new space from scratch – a […]

How Secure Are Shipping Containers?

Regardless of what you are using your shipping container for, it is likely that it will contain things of value. It is therefore important that you are able to lock it securely to ensure that no-one can gain access without permission. Fortunately, shipping containers are inherently secure. They are made of strong, robust and durable steel and […]

How To Get Shipping Containers With Windows

The use of shipping containers for construction is becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they offer a sturdy and robust structure, but they are also resilient, weatherproof and inexpensive. While in the past we had only seen shipping containers used for shipping, people are now beginning to think outside the ‘box’, using them for other spaces and […]

How Much Do Shipping Containers Cost?

There are many reasons for the growing use of shipping containers. For some, containers are simply a means of shipping cargo around the world. Others use them as storage for items. And for others they are used to house remote laboratories, store temperature-sensitive produce, build pop-up shops and bars or safely conduct ground-breaking experiments with […]

What Is A Sea Container?

Containers are used for various reasons: for transporting cargo around the world, used for storage, or even the basis for homes, offices, bars or high-end industrial or academic applications. With this in mind, it can be somewhat confusing when you hear the terms ‘sea container’, ‘shipping container’, ‘freight container’ or ‘ISO container’ being used. Are […]

What Is A Freight Container?

If you are looking to buy a shipping container for one of a range of purposes, freight containers are a standard size, which meet the regulations required for them to be used in shipping freight. This doesn’t mean just being strong and robust enough to withstand rough sea, but also being the correct size and shape to […]

Green container being lifted by orange straps

Where Can I Position a Shipping Container?

Shipping containers are used for many applications, but one of the key reasons for their popularity is the ease with which they can be transported from location to location. Often referred to as ‘semi-permanent’, shipping containers offer a resilient and structurally robust space solution without limiting you to a single fixed location. This means that shipping […]

What is the Average Life Expectancy of a Shipping Container?

There are many reasons why shipping containers are growing in popularity as an alternative storage solution. Whether you are looking to ship products long distances or re-use shipping containers for storage on dry land – or are even thinking about turning one into a pop-up shop or office, one of the most important things about a shipping […]

How Are Custom Containers Created?

One of the best things about shipping containers is that they can be turned into almost anything given some knowledge and expertise. With enough imagination and skill, a container can be an office, home, pop-up restaurant or extra storage space solution – the applications are nearly limitless. No matter your requirements, a shipping container is […]

The Difference Between Freight And Shipping

While there are some similarities between freight and shipping, it’s important to note that there are several key differences between these two transportation methods. While both are used to transport bulk goods, various things distinguish the terms. What’s more, each method poses distinct advantages and disadvantages, which is why it’s essential to understand the variations […]

Storage Container Delivery: What Restrictions Should You Consider?

When having a shipping container delivered on your property, there are a few key things to consider to ensure the delivery goes smoothly. So, to help you prepare for your container’s arrival, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about having a storage container delivered. Space Required Before scheduling a storage container delivery to […]

What size Shipping Container do I need?

Shipping containers are used to transport goods all around the world. They are sturdy, durable, and provide a reliable way to transport items safely to your chosen destination. There are several different types of containers available in a range of styles and sizes. The most common shipping containers in circulation range from 10ft to 40ft […]

Shipping Container Homes UK Planning Permission Regulations

Do I need Planning Permission For A Shipping Container? In the UK, container homes often do not require planning permission as they are not considered to be permanent. However, a container home can’t be considered as a temporary structure if you are choosing to live in the home for a prolonged period. You should also […]

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Have dealt with SJones Containers twice now. More than helpful, extremely efficient and great to deal with, would happily recommend them.

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Does what it says on the tin.

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I normally deal with Scott in the office, always helpful and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Never any problems and a great customer service from SJONES Containers. Will be purchasing more from this company in the future

Callum – 28th Sep 2020

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