Converting a shipping container with extra doors, windows or a roller door turns a closed steel box into a usable space. In HEROX's own workshop the exact position of a personnel door, window or roller door is determined, and the container is finished before delivery into a ready-to-use office, workshop or living space.
A standard shipping container has two wide doors at one end and is otherwise a closed steel panel. For use as an office, workshop or garage that is often not practical: you want a separate entrance, daylight or a wide opening for a forklift. HEROX therefore carries out three types of modification in its own workshop.
A personnel door is a normal door fitted separately from the existing double doors, for example on the side. Handy when the main opening needs to stay clear for vehicles or pallets, or when you want to be able to enter the container from two sides.
A container with windows gains daylight and a view to the outside, which makes an office or living space a lot more pleasant. Windows combine well with ventilation grilles, so air circulation stays in order too.
A container with a roller door gains a wide opening that slides vertically upwards, ideal for a workshop or garage where vehicles or machinery need to go in. A roller door takes up no space when open, unlike a hinged door.
| Modification | What it adds | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| Extra personnel door | Separate access without using the double doors | Office, workshop, storage with a separate entrance and exit |
| Window | Daylight and a view, combinable with a ventilation grille | Office, living space, sales space |
| Roller door | Wide, high opening that slides vertically upwards | Workshop, garage, storage for large equipment or vehicles |
| Double door (standard) | Full width at the end, available straight away | Storage, transport, loading and unloading with pallets |
A shipping container derives most of its strength from the closed steel panels and the corner castings. As soon as you cut an opening for a personnel door, window or roller door, that strength is locally interrupted. In the workshop the edge of each cut-out is therefore reinforced with steel profiles, so the structure keeps its rigidity.
Just as important is the sealing: a new opening must become just as wind and watertight as the rest of the container. That is why every modification is inspected before delivery, just like the container itself. If you also want the container sprayed in a colour of your own, that happens in the same workshop round, including the new doors and windows.
Good maintenance remains important afterwards: just as with an unmodified container, regular checks of the coating and seals are the best way to prevent rust around the new openings.
From request to ready-to-use container, a modification goes through a few fixed steps, so you know in advance what to expect.
Which modifications make sense depends on the purpose. For an office or workshop a combination of a personnel door, one or two windows and insulation is usually enough. For a container home more windows and a more extensive finish are common, and often the same permit requirements as for regular new-build construction apply. For agricultural use, such as machinery storage or feed storage, a roller door is often more practical than separate doors, because you can then drive in with a tractor or loader. On the building site contractors often choose an extra personnel door alongside the standard double doors, so tools can be grabbed quickly without opening up the whole container.
Combine the new doors and windows with a lock box against break-ins and a spray coat in the desired RAL colour. That way the container arrives complete and secured in one go.
Tell us which doors, windows or roller door you need and we will include it in the quote. On working days you receive a concrete price quotation, including delivery time, within an hour.
Both a new (one-trip) and a used container are suitable as a base for modification. Used is cargo-worthy or A-quality, guaranteed wind and watertight and usually the best value for money; new is virtually in as-new condition, which is pleasant for a visible spot such as a street-facing office. In terms of size, a 20ft container is a practical base for a compact office or workshop, while a 40ft container offers more room for a roller door plus a separate personnel door. The full range of sizes and conditions can be found in the overview of buying shipping containers at HEROX.
Reliable 20ft standard container, wind & watertight, ideal for storage or transport.
Extra height 40ft HC container — 2.70m internal height for maximum volume.
Spacious 40ft standard container with double doors, perfect for larger storage needs.
Our local team is happy to think along about the best combination of doors, windows or a roller door for your situation. Reachable on working days from 8:00 to 18:00; outside those hours we take note of your question and get in touch on the next working day.
Yes, both new (one-trip) and used containers lend themselves to these modifications. HEROX cuts the opening to size, reinforces the edge with steel profiles and seals the opening, so the container stays just as wind and watertight as in its original state. The modification is carried out in the own workshop before delivery.
A personnel door is a normal, hinged door fitted separately from the existing double doors, handy for a separate entrance or exit. A roller door is a wide opening that slides vertically upwards and is particularly suited to vehicles, machinery or large pallets, for example in a workshop or garage.
Yes, every opening for a window is expertly sealed in the workshop and the container is inspected before delivery. As long as the work is done carefully and the coating and seals are checked regularly afterwards, the container stays just as wind and watertight as an unmodified version.
That depends on the local authority, the use and whether the placement is temporary or permanent. For a container home, stricter requirements generally apply than for a workshop or storage on your own site. Always check this in advance with the local authority; rules differ per municipality and country.
Yes, these modifications are often carried out in the same workshop round: insulation of walls, roof and floor, electrics and lighting, plus the desired doors and windows. That way the container arrives ready to use in one go at the desired location, without any building work being needed after delivery.
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