The hottest building trend in commercial building is using customized shipping containers. There are several benefits that are driving this trend. This global movement is spreading like wildfire.
We have seen an upsurge in using customized shipping containers for use in commercial construction, and not just for the mom-and-pop variety type of business. The Hilton Hotel global giant just opened a shipping container headquarters in Bristol Airport in the UK.
Building with Shipping Containers
If you are considering getting in on this movement you are making a great choice. Shipping containers are a green building option. About 3500 kilograms of metal is reused every time a shipping container is recycled into a building.
This method of building is not only good for the environment, but it is also good for your wallet. You can expect to pay about one-third of what you would pay using traditional construction techniques. You can also expect to realize significant time savings.
Hybrid Building
Custom containers can be used as a stand-alone building option or as a mixed building option. These flexible containers can construct the entire building or can be used as parts of the building. The flexibility and affordability help commercial properties evolve into something friendly to the environment, and more affordable for the property owners.
What You Need to Consider
There are a few things you need to consider before you start your project to ensure that the building project goes off without a hitch.
- Customizations and purpose. What is your vision of the space? What alterations will be needed for the space to function properly? For example, if you want to use customized shipping containers for a coffee shop, what customizations will be needed?
- Financing. Shipping container building is still a relatively new building process. New building processes require special financing arrangements. Find a bank that will get on board before you start the project.
- Get familiar with local building codes. Local building codes vary from location to location. Get familiar with your local codes to fully understand the “workarounds” for shipping container buildings.
Shipping containers have a diverse range of applications in the building industry. They can be used for just about any purpose with the right customizations. A little pre-planning and a clear vision can ensure your building project comes together perfectly.