As you can see from previous posts on our blog, there’s a lot that you can do with containers. Homes, bars, businesses – even churches are a feasible options when a container is in the right hands. Of course, here at Unit Hire we’re often busy with some ambitious projects of our own. We’ve put together accommodation units for 600 people, purpose built shipping containers and even solar farm units.nnDespite this, it’s not always Grand Designs in the container modification world. While we love working on those innovative, eye-catching and mind-blowing projects; our bread and butter jobs are modifications of the most practical and versatile kind (standard ply-lined units with electrics). Ply-lined units were originally designed to prevent a build up of condensation within a steel container for the purpose of storing more delicate and sensitive personal items but they can be so much more. With a bit of imagination and hard work, ply-lined units can serve many more purposes. In this article, we take a look at two of our recent installations that show just what a standard ply-lined container really can do.nn n
Ski shop
nnnIt may not be quite as swanky as the shipping container ski resort in Georgia but the Unit Hire team were recently asked to design and building a new Ski Shop for a dry slope in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.nnWith heavy ski boots and a lot of footfall, the interior of the new Ski Shop needed to be hard-wearing and durable. We realised that there needed to be space to store all those boots, poles and skis, so we created a custom racking system for easy access.nnAlong with the interior modifications required, size was also incredibly important for the Ski Shop. Not only did the shop need to be large enough to store the skiing equipment, but also compact enough to fit into the slope. To fit these requirements, we welded three 20-foot containers together at the site; usually only a two-day turnaround… weather permitting. Of course, we had to make sure everything worked before transporting the units, so our team constructed the shop at our workshop to ensure that everything slotted together seamlessly and that any electrical elements were working perfectly.nnNow installed, our container-based Ski Shop is the first stop for visitors to Welwyn Garden City looking to hit the slopes all year round!nn n
Essex college
nnnAnother recent project of ours involving the use of ply-lined containers, saw us installing four units of various sizes at a large college in Essex. Ply-lined for warmth and to prevent condensation, we needed these containers to be fit for the purpose of storing the college’s garden equipment.nnVandal-proof, durable and lined with plywood to protect the equipment, the largest of the containers – a joint unit – would also be utilised as a workshop for the college maintenance team. Because of this, we had to install plug sockets, heaters and large access doors. We’re particularly proud of this project. It exemplifies just how much can be done with standard container units and how versatile and practical containers are as solutions. nn nnEven though many of our modified units can look the same, they can be used for a huge amount of different uses. To find out whether the simplest solution is the best for you, get in touch with the friendly Unit Hire team for your container modification quote.