Are you building a new house or undergoing an extensive remodel that includes a new garage? Do you need to know how wide a two-car garage is? In most cases, garage doors are standard sizes. Knowing what the standard size is and how to measure properly can save you many headaches when you’re building or remodeling a home.
What Size is a Standard Garage Door?
Image via Flickr by Jeremy Levine Design
Standard garage doors can vary depending on where you live, but in most cases, the usual two-car garage sizes are:
- Eight feet wide by seven feet tall, or nine feet wide by seven feet tall for a single car garage door; and
- 16 feet wide by seven feet for double garage doors.
Custom homes may have taller garage doors; sometimes they will be nine feet wide by eight feet tall for single doors, while 16 feet wide by eight feet is not uncommon for double garage doors. Some states have a tendency to go even bigger with their standard garages.
Three-car garage dimensions will vary since you can configure them in a variety of ways. In general, the usual dimensions may be 22 feet by 32 feet. However, they can go as big as 30 feet by 30 feet in some cases.
Measuring garage size involves a specific process. Start by measuring the opening height and width. Measure while inside the garage, not outside, and don’t include the door jamb. Next, measure the headroom, which is the area between the door opening and ceiling. You can also measure the side room between the door sides and garage walls. Finally, measure the depth between the garage door opening and the back wall.
Which Size Garage is Right For You?
If you are building a home with the flexibility to choose your garage size, you need to figure out which size you realistically need and can afford. Here’s a quick comparison of garage sizes:
- One-Car Garages: If you only plan to park one vehicle in the garage, you might be able to get away with a single-car option. However, if you plan to store anything, this garage is probably going to be too small.
- Two-Car Garages: The dimensions for a 2-car garage can work for families with one car and added storage space. If you own larger vehicles, like a SUV or truck, you may want to move up to a three-car garage.
- Three-Car Garages: These larger garages are better for families with larger cars or ones with children who drive as well. Three-car garages are also suitable for people who want a unique space like a home gym or man cave, or for someone who works in the garage a lot, such as restoring cars or woodworking, etc.
- Four-Car Garages: Garages this large are usually only found in luxury homes and are often detached from the home, and they include a number of upgrades and luxury features.
Choosing a Single Door Vs. Double Door
If you are searching online for “how big is a two-car garage?” you may not even realize that you also have to decide whether you want a single or double door. If you have the option to choose between either door size, it’s crucial to take the time to consider the pros and cons of each.
You might assume cost is a major determining factor, the price for one door versus a double door is pretty similar in most cases. Where the cost varies is the fact that now you need multiple garage door openers and additional maintenance.
Larger doors will weigh more and require special tracks, hardware, and openers made to support the extra weight. It’s better to have a wider garage if you plan to feature two single doors, whereas you can get away with a smaller width garage to accommodate one door.
Do you live in a cold climate? A large double door will let in more cold air than a single door, so your garage temperatures will drop quickly.
Another important determining factor is aesthetics. If you are simply replacing an existing garage door, you may not have much room to play with on design and sizes. However, if you are building a garage, consider the style of your home and the aesthetics of what single versus double doors look like. A double garage door that is on the front of your house is now a focal point, so the design is important. Choosing two single doors can help reduce the impact of one large door and provide a better balance with the style of your home.
What Is the Cost of a Garage Door?
The cost of your garage door will vary based on the style and features you choose. The three main styles of garage doors are modern, classic, and carriage. The material composition will affect the price as wood, vinyl, or fiberglass will have different price points. Steel strength, durability, and insulation also impact the overall cost. Here’s a general overview of what you might expect to pay for your garage doors.
Classic Style Garage Doors
Standard classic style garage doors offer good functionality, with some limited upgrade options like window panels. Layers and material can have the biggest impact on pricing with classic style doors. Pricing examples for classic doors are:
- Single-layer steel: $750- $950
- Two-layer steel: $800 to $1000
- Three-layer steel: $945 to $1700
- Classic wood $1,000 to $5,000
- Faux wood (fiberglass): $5,000 to $10,000
Carriage Style Garage Doors
Carriage style doors are inspired by canyon living and may resemble a cottage home you’d find far away from any city. Possible pricing for carriage style doors could be:
- Insulated steel carriage: $1,000 to $5,000
- Affordable wood/steel carriage: $1,000 to $7,500
- Faux Wood carriage: $5,000 to $10,000
- Wood carriage: $10,000 and higher
- Steel and composite four layer carriage: $1,000 to $5,000
Modern Garage Style Doors
If your home is modern, class or carriage style doors wouldn’t match the architecture. You’ll need a modern door that compliments your classy design. Modern reinforced garage doors can start around $7,500 for a 16-foot by 17-foot garage, and go up from there.
If you are in the market for a new garage door, let an experienced professional help you choose the right door. Contact Overhead Garage Door, Inc. to learn what brands we carry and how we can help you find the garage door that’s perfect for your home.