If you’re a shipping industry veteran, you know that container doors aren’t just for closing shipping containers. You need them to move and store your containers, too. With all the different types of shipping containers, though, how do you know what door fits your container’s specific purpose? Pick the wrong door and you’re pulling on those cumbersome cargo doors just to access a single box. Pick the right one and it’s a perfect extension of your operation.
Questions to consider before looking at door options:
- What are you planning on using this container for on a daily basis?
- How often do you need to open it? Daily, Weekly, or Just Occasionally?
- Do you have large equipment or bulky materials you need to store?
- Do you plan to have personnel inside the container working or living?
Your answers will help you find the ideal door solution. Whether it’s an industrial-strength cargo door or a sleek sliding glass panel, there is a door for every purpose.
Are you ready to open up all the possibilities for your container? Let’s look at all the door options.
The Different Types of Shipping Container Doors
Shipping containers can come equipped with many different kinds of doors. While most are the typical double doors, there are more unusual options such as roll-up and sliding glass doors. Every door type has its own distinct features and benefits and was made for a purpose. We will outline each kind so you can determine which type of door you need.
Standard Shipping Container Doors (Cargo Doors)
Heavy duty, double swinging corrugated steel panel doors with external rubber seals and double locking rod systems. Standard container doors are the most simple design, usually seen on 20-foot and 40-foot containers.
Pros:
- Great weatherproofing / Water-tight seal
- Ultimate security with all reinforced locking points
- Survives Shipping process extremely well
- Standard configuration-no modifications needed
Location: On the short end (8 foot side) of the container
Ideal For: Maximum storage capacity, construction site storage, limited access, authentic industrial look, and ultimate security needs.
High Cube Container Doors
Description: Just like a normal door but 12” (30cm) taller, to fit in High cube containers that are 9’6″ (2.9m) high instead of 8’6″ (2.6m).
Benefits:
- +12 inches of extra headroom for vertical loading
- Ideal for taller cargo or equipment
- Same security as standard doors
- Ideal for extra clearance for oversized cargo
Location: Short end of High cube containers
Recommended Applications: Construction industry, moving machinery, storing tall equipment, and any application where additional vertical clearance is necessary
Personnel Shipping Container Doors
Description: Personnel doors are a good option for containers that are being converted to offices/workshops/etc. Where a regular door is needed for the convenience of simply walking in and out. Can be equipped with heavy duty locks for security purposes. Human scale (33.5″ wide x 78″ tall) steel doors with insulated cores, deadbolt locks and steel lever handles. Welded into the sides of containers with appropriate reinforcement.
Benefits
- Simple daily access, without having to open massive cargo doors
- Temperature controlled with insulated core
- Secure locking, with panic bar option
- Professional appearance
- Optional features include automatic door closer, keypad entry etc.
Mounting: Can be fitted anywhere on container walls (sides and ends)
Recommended Uses: Office conversions, workshops, living spaces, frequent access, government buildings, schools, healthcare, and manufacturing
Roll-Up Doors (Overhead Doors)
Overview: Coil Up (vertical-opening) doors constructed of interlocking aluminum and galvanized steel panels that roll up into the container. Doors can be manufactured in 8′, 10′ or 12′ widths.
Benefits:
- Compact design – zero swing clearance
- Wide openings for large equipment
- Easy forklift and vehicle entry
- Lightweight and easy to operate
- Manual or electric operation
- Cost effective versus other wide opening door types
Location: Sides or ends
Ideal Use: Equipment storage, vehicle repair shops / garages, garage conversions, battery storage, frequent access, and tight spaces
Full-Length Doors (Open-Side Doors)
Description: Doors that open the entire long side of the container allowing wall-to-wall access to the container. These are also available in various opening lengths from 5′ up to 40′ full sections.
Benefits:
- Full access to the entire container interior
- Perfect for oversize freight and equipment
- Heavy duty hinges and locking mechanisms
- Allows full visibility of container contents
- Allows for crane loading and forklift access
Placement: Long Side (20′ or 40′ sections)
Best Used For: Full size machine transport, vehicle workshops, aerospace equipment, restaurants, manufacturing, distribution, construction, crane loading.
Sliding Glass Shipping Container Doors
Description: Large glass doors on either durable vinyl or aluminum frames that slide horizontally to open. Offer optimal visibility and natural lighting.
Pros:
- Superior natural light
- Stylish, contemporary look
- Extra-large opening with no swing space required
- Safe locking options
- Gives a sense of openness and airiness
Placement: Installed on either sides or ends, commonly on long side for optimal visibility
Ideal For: Retail, pop-up stores, concession stands, offices, living conversions, storefronts, and exhibitions
Storefront Doors
Description: Retail style, commercial grade, glass-paneled doors with aluminum or steel frame.
Benefits:
- Window view into the container
- Commercial quality
- Provides a high degree of transparency with security and durability
- Weather tight
- May be configured with display options
Use: End or selected side panels
Suitable for: Shops, kiosks, exhibitions, events, showrooms and other commercial applications
Side Doors (Multi-Door Containers)
Description: Extra doors placed along the length of the container. Personnel doors, roll-up doors and cargo doors are all options, with suitable framing reinforcement.
Benefits:
- Ease of access without needing to reach to the end of a container
- Ability to partition the container
- Placement of doors is flexible
- Mix and match of different door types
- Side access in restricted areas
Placement: Anywhere on the long sides of the container
Recommended Usage: Partitioned storage, access in restricted spaces, multiple room conversions, selective access to cargo, any multi-door application.
Double Container Doors
Description: A pair of swinging or sliding doors installed on a container. They offer a more organized way to access different sections of a container.
Benefits:
- Easier organization of items within the container
- Access to one section without disturbing the other
- Separate storage spaces
- Improved workflow
- Security for different zones
Placement: Can be installed at various locations on the container
Suitable For: Multi-purpose containers, organized storage, workshops, and other applications where sectioned access is needed
Open-Top Container Doors
Description: Removable or hinged section at the top of the container, which can include tarpaulin covers, for loading by crane from the top.
Benefits:
- Allows crane access for top-loading
- Ideal for bulk materials
- Protection from the elements with tarp systems
- Accommodates large items
- Efficient loading of heavy materials
Location: At the top of the container with access doors on the sides
Best Used For: Construction materials such as sand and gravel, bulk cargo, oversized equipment, operations requiring crane loading, and materials that need top access.
Refrigerated Container Doors (Reefer Doors)
Definition: Doors with heavy insulation and specialized sealing systems for refrigerated containers.
Benefits:
- Enhanced thermal insulation
- Temperature-controlled airtight seals
- Moisture barrier
- Advanced gasket systems
- Energy-efficient temperature regulation
Placement: End or side openings of refrigerated containers
Use For: Cold storage, perishables, pharmaceutical, food service, temperature-sensitive cargo.
Multi-Door Combinations
Description: Special configurations that involve the integration of two or more door types (roll-up with personnel door, sliding glass with side doors, etc.) to meet complex functional requirements.
Advantages:
- Ultimate versatility and functionality
- Designed to meet specific project demands
- Dual or multiple access points
- Optimizes advantages of various door types
- Streamlined workflows
Placement: Determined based on specific functional requirements
Recommended For: Multi-purpose applications, complex conversions, business uses requiring varied access types, workshops, custom commercial applications
A Comparative Look at Door Types
Of course, choosing the right door type isn’t simply a matter of preference. Each of the above types of doors will offer different advantages and disadvantages based on its practicality in terms of security, accessibility, and versatility.
Security
Cargo and personnel doors are the most likely to have the most secure locking mechanisms installed. For sliding glass doors, you may want to consider adding alarms or cameras for added security.
Accessibility
If you require easy access to a container’s contents, then open side and roll-up doors can help with accessibility if you will be constantly loading and unloading your container.
Versatility
Lastly, you should consider versatility as well. While cargo doors are excellent for storing vehicles, standard doors have a broader range of use cases.
Choosing the Right Door for Your Shipping Container
Container doors come in so many types that it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the options. If you focus on your future usage and long-term goals, however, you can select the ideal set of doors for your shipping container. Keep these points in mind when shopping for a container door:
- Type of Cargo – What are you hauling or storing? Is there a specialized cargo type that requires a specific kind of accessibility or handling?
- Operational Needs – Do you need fast, easy, or regular access to the container?
- Longevity/Maintenance – Decide how little or how much maintenance you’ll need to keep your doors in working order over time.
- Future Needs – Can you expect any shifts in your business or industry that might call for a different kind of door?
SteelBox is Here to Help you With Container Doors
Shipping Container Doors? They can be very important features of a container when choosing the right type of container for your needs. Container Doors help determine what type of cargo you’ll be carrying and how you plan on using a container. Understanding the different types of container doors out there will help you make an informed decision and choose the right type for you. If you are looking to get started with shipping containers for whatever purpose then we hope this article has helped you out. The shipping and logistics world is an extremely deep subject to get into and we love to hear all of the different ways our customers are using containers for their business. Post your stories and experiences below. Our ‘doors’ are always open. Let Steelbox know if you have any questions or would like to see us cover certain topics.
