How To Put Doors And Windows In A Shipping Container

Upcycling used containers has go a popular architectural trend in recent years. Today, people commonly alter, transport, and transform these cost-efficient cargo containers into highly functional and artful buildings. They are as well available in a wide range of sizes, and so you can create different types of spaces depending on your needs.

A shipping container's versatile and modular build allows you lot to add customized doors and windows and even stack multiple units together to create more space.

You can too add together other accessories like shelves, ac units, phone and data access lines, etc.

Let's accept a closer wait into calculation windows to your container home, function, or commercial building. In this article, we'll explore the different types of shipping container windows available, their associated costs, and other details surrounding the installation process.

Request a Quote

How Can You Install Windows in Aircraft Containers?

In that location are two ways to install a window inside your unit:

Do-Information technology-Yourself (DIY)
Solicit the help of a container modification specialist

Naturally, the cost and time involved in both processes differ. Although the DIY route may cost less, it can be wearisome, time-consuming, and require technical proficiency.

If you are non adept at operating hand and power tools, we recommend consulting a professional. A lack of skills and experience in operating power equipment can lead to safety hazards.

Listed beneath are a few steps to follow for DIY shipping container window installation:

The DIY Process

To begin, you need to identify the way y'all intend to utilize your storage container. This will assistance determine the corporeality of natural light y'all'll need, ac outlets, frequency of opening the windows, etc.

Once y'all figure out how many windows you demand, you lot need to make up one's mind where they will be positioned on the container wall. This footstep is crucial, every bit windows also play an essential function in improving ventilation, aesthetics, and accessibility.

Improper window openings tin too pb to excessive build-up of heat and moisture inside the container, putting tremendous pressure on your air-conditioners and considerably increasing your energy costs.

Things Y'all'll Need:

Marker
Measuring Record
Saw with metallic $.25, or power cutting blades
Square wooden‌ or steel tubes ( 2 x four inches cross-department): 4 nos.
Screws/ Roofing nails
Window
Circular saw/jig with metal blades
Grinder
Hammer
Drill
Caulking

Steps:

Start with measuring the size of the window. Annotation it down, equally you'll need to cut out a like opening.
Mark the area where y'all'll install the window with a marker. Yous'll take to assess the width and height of the container to make up one's mind and locate an appropriate position. Understanding shipping container dimensions beforehand can help save time.
Side by side, you need to construct the window frame that'll concord your window and allow the opening and closing of windows.
Use the 2 x 4 inches steel tube or wood to cut out the frame that will accommodate the window. The length of the tube you'll demand is approximately equal to the width of your window.
Similarly, cut out a piece equal to the length of the window.
The four steel tubes (two for the width and 2 measuring the length) class the metallic frames.
Utilise a circular saw or a power cutter to cut out the window opening. To simplify the process, y'all can first marker the location. You can use a masonry-bit drill to pre-drill holes. Alternatively, yous can use tin snippers to cutting the frame.
If at that place are sharp edges on the frame, use a grinder to blunt them out.
Screw or nail the steel frames at the window opening on the wall.
Lift the window to the opening and fix the windows to the steel frame.
Ensure that the window is in place. Secure each corner with roofing nails. If yous find any loose ends, use boosted nails to fix the window.
Stop the process with a layer of caulking to shut the minor openings or leaky areas.

DIY shipping container windows.jpg

Here's a tutorial video that explains the steps for installing a window in a shipping container home.

Professional Assistance

Aircraft container providers offering pre-built units with fully functional container doors, windows, and the accessories you'll demand. If you require a custom design, you lot can consult a professional who can bring your ideas to life.

security bars on shipping containers

Cost of Installing Shipping Container Windows: DIY vs. Professional Costs

If you decide on a DIY approach, you can buy all the components required for your window individually or purchase a window installation kit for a storage container. These kits contain the verbal-sized parts y'all'll demand for your window. However, in that location's not much flexibility if you want to alter the design.

A 4-inch broad roll window kit costs approximately $500 per unit. Sliding windows with security confined (36" 10 36") size costs about $450. If y'all want these kits installed professionally, you may have to beat virtually $300-$400 actress.

The DIY path will besides help you lot relieve on installation costs.

If yous're buying the private items separately, a small 32" x fourteen" window may cost yous anywhere between $100-$200. Y'all'll also demand to factor in the cost of steel tube frames, screws, and caulking fabric. Using wooden frames instead of steel tubes can reduce the overall cost, though steel is much sturdier.

What Are the Types of Windows Y'all Tin Install In a Shipping Container?

There are several window options for unlike use cases. For instance, aircraft container homes require big windows for more natural light, while commercial enterprises may require windows with security bars. The shape, size, and window frame for each of these types will vary accordingly.

Pop aircraft container windows include:

Privacy Window

Some structures crave lots of natural lite but they cannot accommodate extra-big windows for reasons related to privacy.

In that instance, a privacy window can serve as an fantabulous choice. These windows sit well to a higher place centre level, near the ceiling, or simply below the shipping container roof. Privacy windows bring in more low-cal to the storage container without assuasive passersby to see through the drinking glass.

privacy windows

Burglar Bar/Security Bar Window

Thank you to their heavy-duty construction, shipping containers offering a secure space. Withal, windows can create vulnerabilities. If you're storing valuable inventory or sensitive documents, you lot can install infiltrator bar windows to prevent theft, tampering, and vandalism.

These windows can also help your staff feel safe and comfortable inside the container, especially if you lot're using containers equally ticket booths, guard shacks, etc.

Extra Large Windows

Extra-large shipping container windows are platonic for supervisor offices, facility rooms, and storefronts. A large window allows a facility manager to oversee their site and adds to the container's aesthetics.

Extra large windows

Aircraft Container Doors With Sliding Glass Windows

If you do non take sufficient space to open or close a door in front of the container, you can use sliding doors that double as windows. Retail offices, homes, and display areas generally lean on this solution. In addition to allowing more than light in, they also assistance create a more inviting archway.

sliding glass door window

Concession Window

You lot tin can rely on concession windows when converting a shipping container into a popular-up café or coffee shop to provide a larger service area. You can besides add rolling shutter doors that you can lock after service.

concession windows

Windows With Blinds

Cut out an open space equivalent to the size of the window frame to use blinds instead of steel windows. Windows with blinds are cost-effective and aid diffuse light inbound the space. They also help create a more pleasant effect inside the structure.

Windows with blinds

Determination

Shipping container windows come in all shapes and sizes. Selecting the right window tin help meliorate the effulgence, ventilation, and aesthetics of a shipping container. The modular structure of shipping containers besides allows you lot to install a window apace yourself. You tin also create your own designs and solicit professional assist to alter your aircraft container window.

Mobile Modular Portable Storage is a leading supplier of shipping container offices, storage, and combo units. Our offices and philharmonic units come equipped with security bar windows, HVAC units, and optional security customizations.

CTA - 1.png

FAQs

Can You Send a Container With Windows?

You tin ship a container with windows if they have steel windows or rolling shutters. If your container has glass windows, yous must take the necessary precautions to avert whatsoever damage.

How Do Y'all Cut a Window and Door In a Shipping Container?

You must first measure the size of the door and window you want to install and mark the appropriate location of the container. After marking, you can use a saw with metal blades or a power cutter to cut out the space for a window and door.

How Do You lot Frame a Window In a Shipping Container?

You can apply 2 types of frames for windows in a shipping container: a wooden frame or steel frame. Once you cut out the wall on which you want to install the window, you can prepare the frames using a screw or a smash. Subsequently attaching the frame to the window opening, you lot can install the window using screws. Wooden frames are easier to cut and gear up, while steel frames are sturdier.