Congratulations, you’ve decided to buy a shipping container for your next home workshop, backyard art studio, or portable office. But, depending on your exact project needs, you may need to modify your container by adding one or more doors.

First, let's take a look at how you will use your container before exploring the different shipping container door options in our informative guide.

How Are You Using Your Container?

Most containers come standard with a cargo door installed at one end, and some come equipped with doors at both ends. If you are using your container for shipping goods or long-term storage, then this door configuration is probably enough to meet your needs. But if you are transporting tall, oversized, or bulky items or are turning your container into a guest house, mobile retail clothing store, or security guard shack, then you’ll probably want to add more entry points for ease of access. Our modifications team can cut out, frame in, and install custom doors so you can enter your container from multiple access points.

How Do Shipping Container Doors Work?

Standard shipping containers typically have a single cargo door installed at one end. These doors swing open for accessing the width of one end of the container and are fitted with lock rods, cam keepers, a door handle, and a secure lockbox to help prevent break-ins. Read our companion article to learn how to properly open and close your container’s cargo door.

Different Types of Shipping Container Doors

Double Doors

Double doors containers are just like they sound - instead of a single door - the unit has a cargo door installed at each end. This makes for double the entry points to your shipping container, which is perfect if you anticipate needing to add and remove items often.

Open Side Containers

Open side containers have an entire wall of doors for maximum access to all your valuable tools and equipment. This door configuration is perfect for frequent access to the interior when loading and unloading the contents of your container. Open side containers are also a popular choice for pop-up shops and snack food vending stands.

Personal Doors

If you are turning your shipping container into a housing unit or construction sales office, then you’ll want to add a personal door. These walkthrough doors look just like the exterior door found in residential homes and provide easier day-to-day access than the cargo door. Personal doors are highly customizable, letting you add windows to let in the light or burglar bars and deadbolt locks for extra security.

Roll-up Doors

Roll-up doors are lightweight, making them easier to open and close than cargo doors, and are available in either manually operated or electrically operated options. These types of doors also work well in tight spaces as they roll up instead of swinging out. Roll-up doors can be installed on either the ends or sides of the container and are used for everything from large furniture storage to bulky lawn and garden equipment.

Sliding Glass Doors

If you use your container for a habitable structure - such as a vacation rental or granny pod - you’ll want to cut in a few openings to bring in more light. Skylights and windows are one option, but if you plan on adding a deck or patio to your unit, then a wall of sliding glass doors makes sense.

Sliding Steel Doors

Think of corrugated sliding steel doors as an industrialized version of classic barn doors. These doors slide along a track at the top of the container and are typically installed on the sides providing floor to ceiling access to the interior.

Ready to Rent Or Buy a Shipping Container?

Reach out to the shipping container housing experts at Container Alliance and start your next container conversion project today.

If you are looking to customize your container home, our modifications team is ready to complete all the necessary changes for you. We can add lighting, custom windows, doors, skylights, HVAC systems, and more.

Shipping Container Door Options

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