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Side Opening Shipping Containers With Side Doors

A shipping container with side doors gives you a level of access that standard containers cannot match.

Instead of relying only on the traditional cargo doors at one end, these units include two sets of steel cargo doors on one side as well.

This design makes access easier, faster, and safer for both personal and commercial use.

It is important to note that a side door container is different from an open side container in a number of ways, which we discuss below.

Keep reading to see the benefits and best uses of side opening shipping containers.

How Shipping Containers With Side Doors Improve Daily Operations

A storage container with side doors creates better access to tools, equipment, inventory, or personal belongings. Standard units often force you to unload items from the back and work your way forward, which can slow down workflows.

The extra doors along the side let you directly access the items you need. This simple improvement saves time and reduces unnecessary lifting.

Businesses also appreciate the improved layout options. You can stage equipment, build shelving, or create separate zones inside the container.

A side opening shipping container makes it possible to use the unit like a walk-in room rather than a long tunnel. This supports safer traffic flow and makes it easier for teams to stay organized.

Because of their convenience and versatility, side door shipping containers are valuable across many industries. Below are the most common and practical ways they're used.

Use Cases for Side Opening Shipping Containers

1. Construction and Contracting
Construction teams often handle heavy or oversized materials. A 20ft shipping container with side doors makes it easy to load pallets, tools, and equipment with a forklift. Workers can grab what they need without unloading everything, and multiple doors can serve different trades on-site.

2. Retail and Pop-Up Storage
For seasonal retailers or pop-up shops, a storage container with side doors functions like a secure mobile stockroom. Staff can enter from the side, access inventory quickly, and organize products efficiently for faster restocking and setup.

3. Agriculture and Farming
Farmers use shipping containers with side doors for container barns to store feed, tools, and irrigation gear. Tractors or forklifts can load materials directly inside, and different sections can be arranged for seasonal access.

4. Self Storage Business
A 40ft side opening shipping container has 4 separate doors which can be partitioned off into four 8x10 storage units for a self storage business.

5. Event and Equipment Storage
Event companies rely on cargo containers with side doors to transport and organize staging, lighting, and audio gear. Once on-site, the side openings make setup and teardown faster and more efficient.

6. Home and Personal Storage
Homeowners use them as shipping container sheds for projects, lawn tools, ATVs, or renovation supplies. The wide entry makes it easier to walk in and out safely and keep items organized.

7. Vehicle Storage
For vehicle storage, the rear cargo doors allow you to park a car or small utility vehicle inside, while the side doors provide a convenient exit—making it a smart and secure parking solution.

Different Types of Storage Containers With Side Doors

You can find shipping containers with side doors for sale in multiple sizes, but the most popular choices are 20ft and 40ft units. Dry Box also offers full open side containers and modified containers with side roll-up doors which are also available as storage container rentals.

20ft Shipping Container With Side Doors

A 20ft shipping container with side doors is ideal for small business storage, mobile workstations, and limited space environments. It still offers a wide side opening, yet it fits in driveways, parking lots, small job sites, and tight rural properties

40ft Shipping Container With Side Doors

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A 40ft shipping container with side doors provides significantly more room for large equipment, bulk inventory, and full warehouse replacement. Logistics teams appreciate the convenience of loading pallets along the entire length. This size is the best choice for industrial operations, major construction projects, and agricultural storage needs that require a complete walk-in access solution.

Shipping Container With Side Roll-up Doors

Cargo containers can be modified with side access with roll-up doors. Shipping containers with side roll-up doors offer quick, convenient access for storage or workspace needs. Sizes available include 10ft containers with roll-up doors, 20ft shipping containers with roll-up door, and two 40ft sizes - standard and high cube - with roll-up doors.

Open Side Shipping Containers

Open side shipping containers feature full side access, making loading oversized items simple and efficient. They're built with a reinforced bottom rail for added strength. Sizes: There are 20ft open side shipping containers and there are standard and high cube 40ft open side shipping containers.

Side Door Shipping Container vs Side Opening Shipping Container

There are many different kinds of shipping container doors. At a glance, side door and open side containers appear to be the same, but there are some very important distinctions.

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Shipping Containers With Side Doors

These are standard shipping containers that simply have additional door panels built into one side, not a full opening.
The doors might be a pair or a smaller section.
They keep most of the wall intact, which preserves the most possible strength and security.
Ideal for:
- Easier access to certain stored items without opening the big end doors.
- Partial side loading or quick grab-and-go use cases.
- Budget-conscious buyers who want flexibility without paying for a full-side opening system.

Visual clue: You'll still see most of the corrugated steel wall intact, with just one or two hinged door cutouts.