
If you're looking to add some personality to your shipping container, consider adding a unique door idea. A sliding barn door made from reclaimed wood can add a touch of rustic charm to your space.
You can choose from a variety of materials for your door, such as steel, aluminum, or even glass. A steel door with a stainless steel handle is a great option for a modern look.
A sliding door can also be a great space-saving solution for small shipping containers. By choosing a door that slides, you can free up floor space for other uses.
Types of Shipping Containers
Shipping containers come in various types, each with its own unique features and benefits.
Dry containers are the most common type, used for shipping general cargo such as furniture and electronics, and are typically 20 or 40 feet in length.
Refrigerated containers, also known as reefers, are designed for shipping perishable goods like food and medicine, and are equipped with temperature control systems.
Explore further: Double Door Shipping Containers
Flat racks are used for shipping oversized or heavy cargo, such as construction equipment and vehicles, and are often used for international shipping.
Tank containers are used for shipping liquids, such as fuels and chemicals, and are equipped with specialized equipment for safe transportation.
Open-top containers are used for shipping heavy or oversized cargo that doesn't fit in a standard container, and are often used for international shipping.
Side-opening containers are used for shipping cargo that needs to be loaded or unloaded from the side, such as construction equipment and vehicles.
Worth a look: How Do Shipping Containers Lock Together
Shipping Container Doors
Shipping container doors come in various types, each with its own set of benefits and requirements. The type of cargo you'll be transporting or storing is a crucial factor in choosing the right door.
To determine the best door for your needs, consider the operational needs of your container. Do you need to access your container quickly, easily, or frequently? This will help you decide between different types of doors.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right door for your shipping container:
- Type of Cargo: What are you transporting or storing?
- Operational Needs: Do you need to access your container quickly, easily, or frequently?
- Longevity and Maintenance: Consider how little or how much maintenance is required to increase the longevity of your doors over time.
- Future Needs: Consider any changes in your business or industry that may require a different door type.
Shipping Container Doors
Shipping container doors come in various types, each designed to suit specific needs. High cube shipping containers, for instance, have taller doors that offer an extra 12 inches of loading space, making them ideal for industries like construction or machinery.
Some shipping containers have open side doors that provide wall-to-wall access, perfect for quick and easy loading and unloading of odd-shaped and heavy cargo. This feature is especially useful for transporting and displaying perishable items in cold chain logistics.
There are numerous types of shipping container doors to choose from, including roll-up doors, man doors, and sliding glass doors. Each type has its own unique benefits and is suited for specific applications.
Full-length shipping container doors run the entire length of the long side of the container, providing unobstructed access to the whole interior. This design makes loading and unloading efficient and allows access to both ends simultaneously.
Some common types of shipping container doors include:
- Roll-up doors
- Man doors
- Sliding glass doors
- Sliding barn doors
- Swinging barn doors
- Commercial doors
- Breach doors
- Factory cargo doors
- Vault doors
- Marine hatches
Open Top
Open top shipping containers are a great option for transporting goods that require top-loading, such as sand and gravel.
They feature a removable top, often covered with a tarpaulin, which allows for easy loading and unloading of materials.
This design makes them suitable for use with cranes, making the loading process more efficient.
Open-top containers are commonly used in the construction industry for transporting heavy materials.
Broaden your view: Loading Dock Doors
Refrigerated
Refrigerated shipping containers have insulated doors that maintain a specific low temperature to preserve perishable goods during shipping and storage.
The insulation in these doors is designed to keep the inside of the container at a consistent temperature, which is crucial for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.
Refrigerated or 'reefer' containers have specific door designs that ensure airtight and temperature-controlled conditions inside the container.
Roll-Up
Roll-Up doors are a popular choice for shipping containers due to their convenience and accessibility. They pull upward into a coil, making it easy to access your container without needing a lot of space to open swinging doors.

Roll-up doors are ideal for containers that are frequently accessed in tight spaces, as they don't require a lot of clearance to open and close.
One of the key benefits of roll-up doors is that they are lockable and easily unlatched, making it easy to secure your container when it's not in use.
Roll-up doors come in a variety of widths and styles, including extreme-duty and wind-rated options for particular environments.
If you need to store large equipment or frequently access your container, a roll-up door is a great choice.
Here are some key features of roll-up doors:
- Lockable and easily unlatched
- Lightweight
- Can be installed anywhere along the side walls or at the ends of the container
Overall, roll-up doors are a convenient and practical choice for shipping containers, offering easy access and a range of styles to suit your needs.
Choosing the Right Door
Choosing the right door for your shipping container is crucial to ensure accessibility, security, and longevity. The type of cargo you'll be transporting or storing is a key factor to consider, as specific cargo requires specialized handling or accessibility.

Operational needs are also essential to think about - do you need to access your container quickly, easily, or frequently? If so, you'll want to choose a door that meets those needs. For example, a personnel door is a great option if there will be a lot of foot traffic.
Consider the longevity and maintenance of your doors over time. Some doors require more maintenance than others, so think about how much time and resources you're willing to dedicate to keeping your doors in good condition.
Why Matters
Shipping container doors can drastically alter how a container is used, making the choice a crucial one.
The type of door on a shipping container affects how easy it is to access the inside, which is especially important for industries that require frequent loading and unloading.
Different industries demand different door types, each with unique benefits and functionality.
The choice of door also impacts the types of goods a container can hold, with some doors better suited for fragile or high-value items.
Security is another consideration, with some doors offering added protection against theft or damage.
Understanding the differences between door types can help you decide which kind of container is best for your needs.
Personnel

If you're looking for a door that's both functional and secure, a personnel door is a great option. It's made of steel and carefully welded into the wall of the container, ensuring that the structure remains wind and water-resistant.
The insulated core of a personnel door helps keep containers cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This is especially useful for portable office buildings, living spaces, or storage spaces where temperature control is important.
A personnel door comes with a deadbolt and steel lever handle, providing an extra layer of security. If you want even more security, consider adding a keypad entry.
Use a personnel door if you expect a lot of foot traffic. It's perfect for areas that need easy access and exit points.
Choosing the Right Door
Your shipping container door is a crucial part of its functionality and usability. The type of cargo you're transporting or storing is a key factor in choosing the right door.

Consider the operational needs of your container. Do you need to access your container quickly, easily, or frequently? This will help you determine the type of door that suits your needs.
The longevity and maintenance of your doors are also important to consider. Some doors may require more maintenance than others, which could impact their lifespan.
Personnel doors are a good option if you need to access your container frequently, as they are designed for high foot traffic. They also come with a deadbolt and steel lever handle for added security.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right door for your shipping container:
Door Installation and Combinations
You can customize your door styles and installation to improve function, security, access, or optimize space. This is especially true for modified shipping containers that require different combinations of doors.
Modified shipping containers often need a combination of doors like sliding doors, an entry man door, and a "back" egress door for safety. An office with storage, for instance, might require roll-up doors and a man door.
There are endless shipping container door combinations you can create to completely customize your unit. Conterm’s team can transform any shipping container into a unique, modified container to your specifications.
You might enjoy: Shipping Container Man Door
Combining Different Types

You can customize your door styles and installation to improve function, security, access, or optimize space.
Modified shipping containers for office or living space often require different combinations of shipping container doors like sliding doors, an entry man door, and a “back” egress door for safety.
An office with storage or a storage space requiring frequent access might require roll-up doors and a man door.
There are endless shipping container door combinations you can create to completely customize your unit.
Conterm’s highly specialized team can transform any shipping container into a unique, modified container to your specifications.
Double doors can come in two sets of swinging doors or as a sliding door, allowing for better organization of the container’s contents.
For larger containers, especially those that use a combination of storage and work space, it’s common to consider multiple entryways.
Extra doors are one of the most popular modification options for shipping containers, making them ideal for projects that need to frequently access the interior or move items in and out with ease.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Storage Locker Door
How to Install Glass

You can install glass doors in a shipping container by cutting the exterior wall without compromising the steel structure's integrity. The wall is then cut and a frame is welded to fit the door and frame size.
The door is sealed to protect against the elements, ensuring a secure and weather-tight installation. This is crucial for containers that will be used for storefronts or living spaces.
Sliding glass doors are a popular choice for shipping containers, as they allow for ample natural light and showcase the interior of the container. They also provide a sleek and modern look.
To install sliding glass doors, the container's exterior wall is cut and a frame is welded to fit the door and frame size. This allows the doors to slide smoothly and securely in place.
Cargo
Cargo doors are the original door used for shipping containers, installed at the end for easy access to the content stored and shipped inside. They're heavy-duty, weather-tight, and secure, swinging outwards to accommodate more content.

These doors have a secure cam and lock system, preventing theft and reducing the risk of damage due to inclement weather and other environmental threats. They're less convenient than roll-up or garage doors, but an affordable option without the need for modifications or installation.
Cargo doors are ideal for storing items that don't require frequent access, making them a great choice for those who need a simple and cost-effective solution.
Pre-Hung Doors and Specialization
At Larnec, we specialize in pre-hung doors for modified shipping containers. We've designed two fit-for-purpose door solutions that can be installed in any shipping container.
Our door designs allow for fast installation, longevity, and security. We partner with shipping container companies and modification specialists country-wide to produce a door solution for any modification.
Shipping containers come in standard sizes, including 8ft (2.43m) wide, 8.5ft (2.59m) high, and lengths of 20ft (6.06m) and 40ft (12.2m). We cater for more popular sizes, such as the 8ft shipping container, which measures 8ft (2.43m) x 7ft (2.20m) x 7ft 6in (2.27m).

Here are the more popular sizes of shipping containers we cater for:
We're passionate about giving the perfect personal access door solution for shipping container modifications.
Sources
- https://conterm.ca/en/blog/5-options-for-shipping-container-doors/
- https://www.larnec.com.au/resource-centre/shipping-container-door-solutions
- https://dryboxusa.com/the-many-different-types-of-doors-for-your-storage-container/
- https://www.falconstructures.com/blog/shipping-container-door-options
- https://www.steelboxcontainers.com/shipping-container-doors/
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