40ft Storage Container with Added Side Access
Shipping containers are often used for storage here in the UK. There is lots of different options when it comes to storage containers. The most commonly available (and therefore the most cost-effective options) for 40ft storage container are used and one trip single end opening units.
However, sometimes this door configuration is not the best option for every customers storage needs. Side access containers are also incredibly popular with customers, although generally less readily available.
40ft Factory made full side access containers are generally only available one trip units, and due to the scarcity and complexity of them, they are circa £11k +VAT (as of December 2025). This price tag can mean that these units are not feasible for some customers.
While the factory made option may not be within budget, many customers do require side access and need another solution in order to meet their budget.
Refurbished Storage Container with Additional Side Doors
We often fit additional doors to shipping containers to offer side access. Adding in extra doors is a good way of ensuring you have a unit that works for you. You may only require 1x set of doors on the side rather than the full side, or multiple doors in order to split the container into separate storage spaces.
For this particular customer, we supplied them with a 40ft refurbished shipping container. They required lots of side access to help them easily store their products so added four sets of doors.
By choosing a refurbished container, they were able to keep costs down and could choose the colour of their unit. A refurbished container is a used shipping container which has been freshly repainted and has a lockbox fitted. Being made from a used container, dents, scratches and surface rust can be seen, but the overall appearance is smartened up by the repaint.
We added newly constructed flat panel doors to the side. These doors are generally a little cheaper than adding cargo doors. Spare cargo doors aren’t always available as they are only spare when cut off from another unit. The flat panel doors are newly fabricated so look very smart and are generally considered ‘easy open’. The unit also kept the original cargo doors, so end access was still available.
Alternatives for 40′ Side Access Shipping Containers
Adding side doors is not the only way to achieve side access. Depending on what you plan to store in the unit, or how you plan to load it, a different solution may be better for you.
Modifying a container gives you the opportunity to make sure the unit works for you. You can configure the modifications to suit your space, and can also pick the condition of the unit.
Roller Shutters fitted to Shipping Containers
We can fit both manual and electric roller shutters in the side of a shipping container.
If you do want to access as much of the side as possible, we could fit two circa 17′ electric roller shutters in the side. This would open up almost all the side, leaving just a small column in the middle to support the wall & roof.
Due to the size anything over around 8′ wide will need to be electric as a manual version will be too heavy to use.
Adding Additional Doors to a Shipping Container
Like the unit we completed before, we can add extra doors. If available we can fit cargo doors, otherwise we can fabricate flat panel doors instead.
Another option would be to add a high security personnel door. These are available as single and double doors and are popular with customers like schools and churches where a lot of different people will be using the doors. Personnel doors are often considered easier to use for most customers.
Removing the side of a Shipping Container
On occasion, customers do not actually require a wind and watertight unit. In the past, we have supplied a container with the full side removed. They didn’t need to be able to secure the unit, just wanted easy access for loading the unit with pallets.
For our last customer, we completed this in a 20ft container, but this can also be done in a 40ft. For a 40ft, we would still need to leave a small column in the middle support the roof from sagging. We add additional reinforcements around the opening to ensure the structure remains sound and will hold for the long term.
40ft Tunnel Shipping Container
In some situations, customers have also been able to work with tunnel containers instead. These come with cargo doors at both 8ft ends of the unit.
As both ends can be accessed, this works for some customers storage needs as they can access stock stored at both ends. Whereas on a single end opening unit a customer may need to move stock in order to reach the back of the container.
Contact Us
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).