Construction – Shanghai Metal Corporation

IMPORTANCE OF METALS IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

Whether you like it or not, metals play a BIG PART in our everyday life. We interact with them differently as each of them has it’s own properties : some are used as supporting elements for buildings, smartphones, transportation. Some are used for decoration by artists and sculptor or some are used to display wealth, like gold for example.

That being said, we have tendency to overlook the importance of metal because we confront them directly or indirectly everywhere, therefore perceiving their presence as self-evident. Oh and also, some of them are imperceptible to human eyes so this may contribute to our lack of understanding metal in our life.

So let’s explore these hidden but common metals we interact with everyday shall we ?

COPPER for example, is a type of cheap metal used by companies to conduct electricity. The average American will use more than 1,000 pounds of copper in their lifetime ! You can find them in your ALARM CLOCKS, DENIM JEAN BUTTON, PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICES or your DOORKNOB and even in your GRANOLA BARS ! Copper is essential not only for everyday objects but also for our own body.

Next on the list is STEEL. Like Copper metal, you can find it almost everywhere too. Taken for granted, they are in buildings, machinery, cars, galleries and statues. So can you imagine our world without these elements ? It would be hard to conceive another element as useful as these metals. When the word Steel is pronounced it also means RECYCLING. Each year, the US alone recycles no less than 80 million tons of steel, which works out to about 70% of the world’s total steel recycling

Another metal important for our future is ALUMINIUM. Thanks to its strength, low weight and good potential for recycling Aluminium is as useful and flexible as it’s other metal brothers. It’s properties also allow to build high buildings, transportation and also for packaging, the most common use that this metal is known for.

Not to mention other types of metal, these three principles are maybe the most commonly known by public although people easily tend to forget their usefulness.

Apart from the referred objects we just mention, the crazy thing about metal is that it has a really wide range of function and can be used by any types of profession. Physicians and architects take advantage of these metals by constructing impressive buildings industry while some artists see these elements as pure physical support in which they transfer their imagination and creativity.

See how great metals are ? As representatives of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the global field. As a major producer of copper, aluminium, steel and other metal products and service, we essentially are committed to the universal use that metal can offer by delivering overseas and promoting environmental sustainability.

To know more about our company please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

Maria // SMC Editor

#AddingValueAcrossTheGlobe

Maria // SMC Editor

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank & Shanghai Metal Corporation – Common Goal & Vision

We are pleased to share the latest news about China’s contribution in assisting developing countries in their sustainable growth.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank, proposed by the government of China, that has the mission to give assistance to financial needs to infrastructure projects in Asia region.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing
Photo from en.people.cn

The establishment of this bank is partly due to the huge infrastructure needs across the developing countries in Asia. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that Asia will need approximately 8$ trillion between 2010 and 2020 for energy, transportation, telecommunication and water/sanitation. Summing the investments from all existing institutions aren’t enough to reach that amount and the shortfall exceeds 700$ billion a year.

Photo from fastcompany

Other than its purpose as a funding institution, the AIIB is also a modern knowledge-based institution, focusing on the development of infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia, such as energy & power, transportation & telecommunication, water supply & sanitation, etc.

Until the 2nd April 2015, almost all Asian countries and major countries outside Asia has joined the AIIB, except US, Japan, Canada and North Korea. Catherine Novelli, U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, said that the administration generally supports the AIIB’s stated goals but has concerns over regulation and environmental issues. Other worries that the bank will help China to rival the US as the world’s economic power and in establishing its values in the world’s vision.

Photo from rt

According to Raj M. Desai, associate professor from Georgetown University, the participation of the US in the AIIB could encourage the Chinese to implement a transparent regime that adopts the world’s best practice in financing infrastructure. The President of World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, welcome AIIB and believes that the activities of a new organization can greatly help the massive need of investment in infrastructure.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim during their meeting in Beijing, July 8, 2014.
Photo from reuters

As one of the world’s leading steel manufacturer, Shanghai Metal Corporation believes that sustainable growth improves the quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. That’s why we put great efforts to meet the demand for steel in an eco-friendly way. We support AIIB’s mission and values in supporting Asia’s infrastructure project in a “lean, clean and green” way. We have faith that AIIB can help to support the growth of the developing countries and give them assistance in their infrastructure development.

Sources: theguardian, cnbc, washingtonpost, aiibank, wikipedia
Featured Image: nytimes

Ayu P.//SMC Editor

The coolest student-dorm is made of CONTAINERS!

No doubts! The coolest dormitory of all time is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Why this student-dorm is so unique? Because is made from old silos and shipping containers! The project was recently realized by the full service management company Citiq Property Services (PTY) Ltd. Here is how the company displayed this amazing idea.

“Citiq recently purchased two sets of the disused grain silos in Newtown, Johannesburg. Through creative design and leading edge architecture, the plans are to develop energy-efficient buildings that are both contemporary in design and contribute to the urban regeneration of Newtown. Conversion of Mill Junction, the first set of silos, to student accommodation started at the beginning of 2013 and was completed in early 2014, just in time for the new student intake.”

(from citiqproperty.co.za)

Mill-Junction-07 — from http://www.domusweb.it/en

As it was stated by DomusWeb website, the five silos used to build the dormitory were abandoned and grain was once stored there. Recycled containers were then placed, one on top of the other or one next to the other, both on the side and on top of the five silos. The dormitory can today host about 400 students enrolled in different school or universities thanks to the strategic location of the dormitory. This is for sure one of the most extraordinary example of how shipping containers can be used in a very fashionable way for a worthy purpose.

If you wonder how a single/double room looks like FastCoexist website provides you with the answer! How you can see from the pictures below, living in a container house/room looks exactly the same of sleeping in a ‘tradition’ house.

Not only! This amazing dorm partially made from recycled shipping containers offers numerous common areas to students such as game and computer rooms, libraries, gym and kitchens, and even a climbing wall!!

Untitled design (2) — from http://www.fastcoexist.com/

Wondering container-house might be the perfect solution for you and your family? Shanghai Metal Corporation provides you with a great selection of container houses. Visit our website and do not hesitate to contact us.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

Stefano// SMC Editor

The Quik House Container

Adam Kalkin is ‘an artist, an architect and many other things’. Among these other things Kalkin is also the creator of a project called Quik House. By assembling recycled shipping containers, this architect has developed the idea of a prefabricated kit house.

Untitled design — from http://www.prefabs.com and http://www.quik-build.com

Here is what Kalkin has stated about his mission when interviewed by the CNN.

I use architecture as a vehicle for experimentation and discovering. The container is a proper skill object. When you recontextualize It, putting it in a residential context-use it for architecture proper, you both destroy the original context and create a new context. This is a form of upcycling […]. You get a beautiful dialogue from the old and the new and between one set of ideas and another and it creates a certain kind of vitality which really resonates with me.

adam-kalkin-container-house-3 — from http://www.blessthisstuff.com

4b5a2dfc82ad5 — from http://www.blessthisstuff.com

The project seems to meet three main expectations of today’s market. First, the coast. The price of the Quik House is very low compared to traditional houses. According to the Quik House website the estimated finishing cost for a basic Quik House composed by 6 modified shipping containers is around $184,000 (plus shipping). Second, a modern and unique design. For instance, customers could ask for local graffiti artists to decorate their new house. Third, eco-friendship. The use of second hand containers guarantees the involvement of Kalkin’s company in the recycling process which has a very positive impact on environment protection.

Shanghai Metal Corporation provides you with a great selection of container houses. Visit our website and do not hesitate to contact us.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

Stefano// SMC Editor

Why Containers work best as Apartments

Shipping container architecture has seen increased popularity over the years. This is largely due to the fact that containers are a much cheaper building system, as compared to conventional ways of building, and they are simple building inputs.

(image via http://www.containerhome.info)

Here are a few reasons why you need to build apartments with containers:

1. It takes far less time to transform a container into a living space! All it takes to have it from being the cargo carrier to being your comfortable home is, changing the floor, insulating the walls, and adding fixtures and windows. At SMC, we have specially made, pre-fabricated container houses which are fitted with plumbing, electricity and fixtures.

2. It takes less time to have the structure ready for people to live in, as opposed to building with bricks which are stacked one by one, a container is already a sturdy structure, thus, time taken to build from scratch is saved.

3. Containers used as apartments save a lot of land, as they can be easily stacked up to make an array of apartments. They are a perfect solution for housing in busy, overcrowded big cities and metropolis as they serve well to solve the problem of student housing and bachelor housing.

(image via http://www.tinyhouselover.com)

4.Container apartments help tenants to enjoy affordable rent! This is tangible reality can be seen here where container apartments were built up in London strategically for young people to be able to live comfortably and be can afford to pay rent. Since containers are a cheap input, hence the cheap rent!

5. Containers have high strength in their own structure, therefore it makes building with them very simple and more stronger buildings result. The high structural strength also enables homes to built in otherwise difficult-to-build areas such as wilderness homes and other adventurous types of homes.

So, why not reduce costs spent on building, while you save on construction time with container apartments? Visit our website to get more information about our container range, we are a leading manufacturer and supplier of containers in China.

Contact us for an inquiry or further assistance. Stay clued up on our latest news and info by scanning the QR code below, or follow us on these social media:

Lebo Seopane//SMC Editor

Credits: Google images, SMC website,www.inhabitat.com

Container Success

Container architecture is becoming more and more popular by the day,as more people are intrigued by the unique design and appearance of container homes, apartments, offices and other living spaces.

At SMC we offer best quality shipping containers of international standard. Containers, as one of our best selling products, have seen increasing demand and popularity as they are convenient to use as a building system, easy to set up, and can even be cost effective, when compared with conventional building systems. Shipping container uses go as far as one’s imagination and creativity can go. They can be used as tuck shops, convenient office space,basement or bunker, garages and other spaces.

We offer containers in different sizes and variations, therefore there is a container suitable for all your needs. These variations range from the standard container, reefer containers, open-top container, open-side container as well as other special feature containers such as the flat rack container, platform container etc.

Our containers are manufactured in a way that quality and maximum strength are ensured, with rust protection, wind and water proof guaranteed.

Stay up to date with our latest updates by scanning the QR code below to download our latest application; or follow us on these social media sites:

Lebo Seopane// SMC Editor

Credits: SMC website, Google images

Transport made easy!

As the one of leading supplier and manufacturer of metal products in China, we know best about what type of containers are suitable for transporting what type of goods. At SMC, containers being one of our most popular products, we assure you of the best quality, secured containers which enable goods to be transported safely.

Our open top containers are perfect for businesses that deal in large, industrial size equipment. This container enables goods of unusual shape and size to be loaded onto the container and transported to their place of need. The removable top of this container comes handy especially when transporting goods such as mining and construction equipment,machinery, building materials and other mega size equipment.

Open top allows goods to be secured and left in their natural shape, hence they are transported freely.

To learn more about how our open top containers can best suit your needs, visit our website and see our full product range.

Stay in touch with our latest news, scan the QR code below and download this app

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Lebo Seopane// SMC Editor

Credits: SMC website, Google images

Christmas “Gifties”!

It’s Christmas time! If you are wondering what to buy your loved ones as gifts, here are a few ideas. We offer all types of metal which are used to make your lovely pots, cutlery, trays and other ornamentals used in fine dining. So why not look to us to see what types of metal was used to make you these products! We have a wide range of metal products including stainless steel cutlery which is an essential part of your kitchen.

If you are looking to revamp your kitchen to give it a new look for the new year, we have stainless steel strip for kitchen benches and sink , we also have other metal products for your taps and other fittings in the house. For a different look, you may also want to have a look at our copper and brass fittings options.

Our wide range of metal products can also give your bathrooms a unique look.. Spoil yourself! Get your copper input material from us and have your extraordinary look well in time for the new year!

For those on a smaller budget and not looking for major changes like a home make over, why not get our copper sheets to make bracelets with initials of your loved ones on it!

SMC wishes you all Happy Holidays, and successful gift buying!

Lebo Seopane//SMC Editor

Credits: SMC website, Google images, Harts of Stur-Arthur Price Kings

Reducing Energy Consumption of Buildings

The “Trias Energetica Concept” suggest that we should first find a way to reduce energy consumption before developing alternative energy source, such as renewable energy. It is possible by avoiding waste and implementing energy-saving measures.

Energy efficient buildings are buildings that have the capacity to reduce significantly the energy used for cooling and heating the building (without considering the energy and the equipments that are used to heat or cool the building). Below we are going to show you the important points that help your building to be energy efficient.

1. Bioclimatic Architecture

This approach takes into account the local climate and environmental conditions in order to develop the best possible way to use environmental sources of energy. In order get the most benefit from natural sources, it is necessary to :

Have an efficient building shape : reduce the surface in contact with the exterior and the building, interior spaces are arrange according to their heating requirements
Have an appropriate techniques of enveloping the external of the building (use the correct colors and surface) from solar heat in winter as well as in summer and also to collect solar radiation (which acts as a “free” heating and lighting systems).

The graphic below shows the impact of building shape on annual heating energy for a small building in a cold climate.

Graphic from www.buildingscience.com

2. Thermal Insulation

This technology has proven to be very efficient as it saves energy and also money. It is suited for cold places, as it keeps the building warm and reduce the energy needed for heating. It is also greatly efficient for hot regions, as it keeps the heat out from the building and reduce the need for air conditioning.

Check this website to see what sort of insulation to use.

Photo from www.homebuilding.co.uk

3. Air Tightness

Air leakages should be reduced at maximum in order to have a comfortable and energy efficiency buildings. During the design and construction stage, great attention must be invest to seal gaps.

Most existing and recently built buildings are far from being airtight and create financial and environmental costs. A “leaky” building needs more energy for heating or cooling and allow humid air to penetrate, degrading the structure of the building and the effectiveness of the insulation.

Image from www.corbwell.ie

4. Ventilation

This is a system controls the penetration of air through the building and allows to deliver fresh air and take out stale air in combination with the designed heating system and humidity control, and the fabric of the building itself.

To learn more of the importance of ventilation, visit this website.

Image from www.completecoolroofsystems.com

Shanghai Metal Corporation is an expert manufacturer and supplier in the production of building material. To help you build energy efficient building, we can provide you with our top quality materials, such as mineral wool for thermal insulation. We also accept any challenging construction projects and will be glad to help you. Visit our website to see more and contact us if you need further information. Also follow us on social media to discover and be updated of our new products.

Source and original article : isover
Featured image from : greenwizard

Ayu P.//SMC editor

Recreate your recreational areas!

Refresh your mind after a long day and relax in a beautiful, luxurious patio made from our wood plastic composite deck (WPC deck). At SMC, we offer a great deal of building systems to suit your needs. Our version of WPC deck is particularly beneficial because it has featured characteristics of both wood and plastic, making it highly durable.

Enjoy a not only lovely looking patio but also, but also reap the benefits of low maintenance work, and less energy towards cleaning. Our wood plastic allows you to just wipe the floor, as opposed to pure wood which needs varnishing. We save you the trouble!

We offer durable, less hassle flooring solution for your patios, children’s playground, pool side and other outdoor areas; as well as indoor facilities such as restaurants, halls, etc. WPC decks are great, you don’t have to worry about wood rotting like the natural one would, thus making it more sustainable.

Our WPC deck’s combined features of plastic and wood enables it to have the enhanced look of wood, and gives you liberty to have less worries about varnishing ,or worrying about the wood changing colour or getting damaged for instance when it rains or children spill liquids on it . Worry not about those spills ruining the floor!

For your more intimate ,indoor events, our WPC deck building system comes handy as a dance floor, for gyms, halls, theatres and other recreational areas that need operational open space.

Compliment your outdoor areas with our WPC deck paired with artificial grass and flaunt your attractive, soothing and calming environment created from our best suited products. Save water with our artificial grass, and enjoy the eco-friendly features of the WPC deck. Cut down maintenance costs and save your energy with SMC! Save the planet and have less trees cut down for your lovely floor, at SMC we care about the earth.

Get an inquiry or visit our website for more information. Scan the QR code below to download our application; and stay clued up with our latest updates, follow us on these social media platforms:

Lebogang Seopane//SMC Intern

Credits: SMC website, Google images