Cargo Doors Vs Flat Panel Doors on Shipping Containers
All shipping containers come with factory made cargo doors. Standard cargo doors are 8ft wide and right hand opening. They are designed for easy access for forklifts or similar into containers, so goods can be loaded efficiently for export.
While cargo doors are the standard factory made option, we do also offer flat panel doors. Flat panel doors are generally fitted when either adding additional doors or when a container has been cut down.
The choice of flat or cargo doors generally comes up when cutting a container down to a custom length (like our refurbished shipping containers). With this we will be left with two containers which need a door/end.
For one unit we will add a sheet of steel to the cut end and keep the cargo doors. For the other unit, a pair of flat doors will be fitted and the other end will keep the original corrugated steel closed end.
Cargo Doors on Shipping Containers
These doors are the factory built option and will come on any standard size shipping container. These doors can come with either 3 or 4 locking bars.
Used containers will have 4 bar doors. Newer (one trip) containers will come with 4 bar or some will even come 3 bar doors.
Along with the locking bars, the cargo doors will come with heavy duty rubber seals to protect from water ingress.
Used and refurbished containers with original cargo doors can sometimes be stiff to use. Used containers have been used for circa 15years by shipping lines and that can mean the doors are dented, have surface rust etc.
Easy Open Doors
3 bar doors are often referred to as ‘easy open’ doors. They have one longer handle on the right hand door which gives more leverage when opening the doors.
These easy open doors are only available on one trip units as they are a newer design. Not every one trip container will have 3bar doors, so if you need this, please let us know.
Flat Panel Doors on Shipping Containers
Flat panel doors are made to order from sheet steel. The newly constructed doors will come with one locking bar on the right-hand door and a lock box.
The sheet steel used to construct these doors is the same thickness as the container side walls. The doors will have an angle iron frame for rigidity.
As the flat panel doors are brand new, they are often considered easier to open than cargo doors on used containers. They will also not have cosmetic damage (dents, scratches and surface rust) like would be expected on original cargo doors.
To keep them weatherproof they come with a rain guard about the doors.
Security
Securing your shipping container is very important. A lockbox is a great way to add extra security. A lock-box is a metal shroud that fits between the two doors. It will protect the padlock from attack with bolt cutters, lock picks etc.
All flat panel doors will come with a lockbox.
Cargo doors on one trip containers will come with a factory fitted lockbox. When refurbishing a container, we will include a lockbox. Used containers generally will not come with a lockbox as standard, however they can added either in depot prior to delivery or self-fit options are available for units already on site.
The number of locking bars will not make a significant difference to the security of your container.
Availability
Flat panel doors are constructed to order from sheet steel we can make these up pretty quickly. We will often offer flat panel doors for customers needing to add extra doors to their storage container.
Cargo doors are the standard for factory made containers. However, when modifying units (adding extra doors, cut down containers) cargo doors are not always readily available.
Spare cargo doors only become available when they have been removed from a container. This isn’t a common modification, so extra cargo doors may have longer lead times, or come at a higher price.
Which type of shipping container door is Better?
The quick answer is they are equally good. They both are strong and secure and will keep your container wind and watertight. When having the choice, it really just depends on the customers preferences.
Some opt for cargo doors as they prefer the look, or have other units on site with cargo doors. Some choose flat doors as they may prefer this look, or like the idea of a new door which is easier to open.
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).