If you are building a multi-vehicle garage, there are quite a few important specs you'll need to know. One important one relates to how much space you should have between the garage doors.
To answer that question, we researched home garages from multiple professional sources, so you'll know the recommended amount of space.
For optimal room, it's recommended that your garage doors be spaced three to four feet apart. Giving your doors enough room will ensure they operate correctly, so this is imperative.
Now that we know how much space you need to leave between garage doors, we'll examine why you need that much room. You might also wonder what the minimum amount of space between the doors can be or how much space you need between the garage doors and the walls.
Luckily, we've got all these below, so let's dive right in!
Why Proper Spacing Between Garage Doors Is Important
You might think that spacing the garage doors properly is due to structural issues. But it has more to do with your vehicles than anything else.
Experts recommend three to four feet spacing between garage doors so that you can open the vehicle's doors without damaging the one next.
This amount of room is critical in saving each one from unsightly door dings. Four feet between the vehicles makes it much easier to enter and exit them.
While more than a municipal code requires, this extra room makes it more comfortable and safer when unloading groceries, infants in car seats, or when a family is piling into and out of the cabin.
How Much Space Should Be Between Garage Doors And Walls?
Ensuring you have enough room to park your vehicles inside the new garage will mean more than just proper spacing between the doors.
You will also want to ensure enough room between the garage doors and the sidewalls. Like the spacing we mentioned earlier, this has to do with your vehicle.
The passengers that ride with you will probably want to enter and exit the vehicle without being cramped. You must leave enough space between the parked car and the sidewall.
You'll want the doors to be able to open fully for this to happen.
To make this possible, you want three feet of space between the garage door and the sidewalls. Thirty-six inches is enough room for most people to maneuver themselves in and out of a parked vehicle.
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What Is The Minumum Garage Door Spacing?
Earlier in this post, we discussed the recommended space between garage doors. This is the amount that experts suggest for optimal comfort for those getting in and out of vehicles in the garage.
It is not, however, the bare minimum that is allowed. According to Timberline Buildings, the general rule is that you have at least two feet between the garage doors.
While this does not allow near the room you might want to enjoy; it is enough for most people to squeeze in and out of a vehicle.
There will not be enough room to protect from door dings, so open your doors cautiously!
How much space you will require will depend on your needs. If you anticipate a lot of people getting in and out of multiple vehicles, we'd suggest listening to the experts and keeping the spacing at four feet.
But if you are short on room, having that spacing set at two feet is still workable.
Is It Better To Have Two Single Garage Doors Or One Big One?
This decision will require a bit of thought on your end. There are advantages and disadvantages to both styles. You must carefully weigh these out before determining which is best for you.
Individual Garage Door Pros And Cons
Having an individual set of garage doors is best for limiting the airflow in your garage. The ability to open up one half will keep more heat in it in the winter months.
It also comes in handy should one of the doors malfunction; you'll still be able to get one car in and out until it's fixed. On the con side, individual doors are not as good for airflow.
In the summer, you'll want the most moisture to be able to escape the garage as possible. Even with both doors open, they will not be as effective at this as one single, oversized garage door.
Large Garage Door Pros And Cons
This type of garage door is more aesthetically appealing. It also is the most practical, as it opens the entire garage up with the touch of just one button.
But there are drawbacks to having one large door that covers two parking spaces. If the garage door malfunctions, you will have two cars stuck inside (or outside) instead of just one.
This garage door type is also not the best for retaining heat, as it opens the entire garage up to the elements in the winter instead of just one side.
How Big Is A Standard Two-Car Garage?
You can build a two-car garage into many different dimensions depending on your needs. Some will have garages just for parking their vehicles, requiring less room.
Others use their home garages for work areas, storage, and other needs that will dictate more available space. The standard size of a two-car garage is 18 feet wide by 20 feet deep.
Using those specs, you will not have enough room to maintain three feet of space from sidewalls and four feet between the doors. As the standard garage door is eight feet wide, you'll need to plan on more room if you go with that spacing option.
To maintain those distances, you'll need a garage that is 26 feet wide. You can eliminate a foot of space from the door to each sidewall in a pinch and an additional foot between the doors.
This still allows for a good amount of room and reduces the overall width of the garage to 23 feet.
Is A 20-Foot Deep Garage Enough Space?
In most cases, a garage 20 feet deep will be more than adequate. With minimal exceptions, passenger vehicles sold today will have no issues fitting inside a garage at least this depth.
But there are some other things you might consider before committing to a garage that is 20 feet deep.
If you want a work area in the garage, the most logical spot is along the far wall of it. This shouldn't be an issue with smaller vehicles.
But if you have a full-size SUV or larger truck, this might cramp your work room. A deeper garage might be in order.
Carefully consider what you will use your garage for before committing to a design or any dimensional specs.
To Finish
The amount of space between your garage doors will directly affect how much room is between the vehicles parked inside.
While you can get away with having less than four feet of room between the single-car garage doors, this space makes it safer and more comfortable for you and your passengers when you enter and exit vehicles.
Though you might consider one large door over two smaller ones, individual garage doors have a significant number of advantages that one should consider.
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