How to Install a Door on a Shipping Container

The cargo doors on a shipping container are built for forklifts, not people. If your container is becoming an office, a workshop or a storage unit you open every day, a walk-through man door is usually the first modification you make. Here's how the job goes, start to finish.

1. Choose the right door

Start with how the space will be used:

• Single man door: the standard choice for offices, tool rooms and storage. A 3068 door (3'0" x 6'8") fits most container side walls. See our Single Man Door | Weld-N-Go.

• Double man door: for moving equipment, carts or pallets through the side of the container. See the Double Man Door | Weld-N-Go.

• Door with window: when you want natural light and a view out, common for site offices and reception points. See the Door with Window.

A pre-framed, weld-in door saves the most time. The frame is already squared and built to sit in a container wall, so you aren't fabricating a frame on site.

2. Pick the location and mark the opening

Place the door where it won't fight the container's structure. Keep clear of the corner posts and leave enough wall on each side for the frame to land on solid steel. Think about what's going inside too: desks, shelving and electrical panels all need wall space.

Use the door frame's outside dimensions to mark the cut. Measure twice, check that your lines are level and plumb, and mark on the outside of the container.

3. Cut the opening

Most installers use a plasma cutter or a grinder with a cutting disc. Cut slightly inside your lines; it's easier to open up a tight hole than to fill a gap. Remove the panel, then clean up the edges so the frame sits flat.

Safety first: this is hot work. Wear proper eye, face and hand protection, keep a fire extinguisher close, and clear anything flammable from inside the container before you start.

4. Fit and weld the frame

Set the frame in the opening and check it for level and plumb. Tack weld it at a few points, check again, and once the door opens and closes cleanly, weld it in fully. Because a Weld-N-Go frame is made to fit the corrugated wall, most of the fitting work is already done.

5. Finish and seal

• Grind any sharp weld spatter, then prime and paint the bare steel and weld seams to stop rust.

• Add a Threshold plate across the bottom of the opening. It protects the cut edge and helps keep water out.

• A Door Shoe closes the gap at the bottom of the door, and a Door Closer keeps it from swinging open in the wind.

6. Lock it up

A new door is a new entry point, so protect it. A weld-on Lock Box covers the padlock so bolt cutters can't reach it. For buildings with more people coming and going, Panic Bars give a quick exit from inside.

Need help choosing?

Every project is a little different. If you're not sure which door fits your container or how many openings you need, talk to our team or call (562) 366-0784. You can also browse all container doors.