Double door containers
A double door container – also called a tunnel container – has a full double-leaf door at both ends. External and internal dimensions match a standard container; only the second end wall is replaced by a door.
That sounds like a detail but opens up three uses a normal container cannot offer: it can be loaded and unloaded from both ends, it can serve as a passage or drive-through, and a partition can split it into two separately accessible stores.
Typical uses
- Store stocked from two sides – goods in at the front, picked at the back
- Two separately lockable halves for two users or departments
- Passage or airlock between two parts of a site
- Shelter for bicycles, trailers or small vehicles to push straight through
- Transfer point where pallets go in on one side and out on the other
- Container conversion with a glazed front at both ends
Sizes and dimensions
| Size | External L × W × H | Internal approx. L × W × H | Doors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft DD | 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 2 end doors |
| 40 ft DD | 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.591 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 2 end doors |
| 40 ft HC DD | 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m | 2 end doors |
Internal dimensions approximate; internal length may differ slightly because of the second door frame.
✓ Advantages
- Access from both ends – shorter distances in a 40 ft unit
- Cross ventilation through two opposite openings
- Easy to split into two areas
- Cheaper than an open side container
! Points to consider
- Second door is a second break-in point
- Premium over a standard container
- Both ends must remain accessible – that needs space
- At 20 ft the advantage over a standard container is smaller
Equipment and options
- Two full end doors, each with four locking bars
- Optional: lockbox on both doors
- Optional: partition for two separate storage areas
- Can be retrofitted: roller shutter instead of hinged door on one end
Price guide
- 20 ft DD new
- noticeable premium over a 20 ft one-way
- 40 ft DD new
- noticeable premium over a 40 ft one-way
- Hire
- usually on request only, limited availability
Rough orientation values without guarantee; prices vary by region, condition and market.
What to look out for
- Choose a site where door leaves at both ends can swing fully open – allow around 1.2 metres of clearance per leaf.
- For two users, fit a bolted partition rather than shelving, otherwise the separation is only symbolic.
- Protect both doors with a lockbox – the rear is often forgotten.
- For a pure passage, mind the threshold and floor height; a ramp at both ends makes driving through easier.
Frequently asked questions
When is a double door worth it over a standard container?
Mainly at 40 ft: without a second door up to twelve metres lie between the door and the far end. Two doors halve the distances and allow a first-in, first-out layout.
Is a double door less stable?
The second end wall is missing, but a door frame with corner posts and castings carries the load instead. It is designed for storage and transport; permitted stacking loads are on the CSC plate.
Related guides
Planning with double door containers?
Compare sizes, costs and buying vs. renting in our guides.
