Container basics
side door container
A side door container, also called an open side or side access container, has doors along the long side as well as at the end. Sea Box lists a 20-foot ISO container with one full side opening. It gives wide access to the whole length of the box.
Why it matters
Side doors make it easier to load pallets, tools and long items without walking to the far end. Contractors, retail stores and event crews like them for quick access. Some are built new with side doors, and others are modified from standard units. Cutting a side opening into a regular container needs proper framing, because the side wall carries structural load. A common mistake is to cut a door without reinforcing it. Another is to forget that side doors need clear space beside the unit. Ask if the unit was built for side access or modified, who did the work and what the lock system is.
Read: Container modifications for rental: Doors, windows, lock boxes and HVAC
Definition source: seabox.com
Related terms
double door container
A double door container has doors at both ends, so you can load or unload from either side. Standard containers have doors at one end. The term is also used loosely, since each door end has two door leaves. Ask what a seller means.
container modification
A container modification is a change made to a standard shipping container. It covers a single door cut-in up to a full fit-out. Common changes include doors, windows, vents, insulation, electrical work, HVAC, lining, partitions and plumbing. Sellers often group these changes into packages.
door locking bar
A door locking bar is a vertical steel rod on a container door. It turns in cam keepers at the top and bottom of the frame to lock the door tight and compress the gasket. Each door normally has one or two bars.
hasp
A hasp is a hinged metal strap with a slot. It folds over a staple or loop and takes a padlock. On a container, the hasp on the door handle locks the locking bar in place. Standard ISO hasps are common.
storage container
A storage container is a container used to store goods, often a retired shipping container, that sits on a site and keeps items dry and secure. Companies rent or sell them in several sizes and conditions. Many have double doors on one end and can be lifted or moved on a truck.
standard container
A standard container is a regular-height dry container, usually 8 feet 6 inches tall outside, as opposed to a high cube. Carrier listings give dry 20-foot and 40-foot specifications at 8 feet 6 inches. Sellers use the word standard with some variation.
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