If you want to build a garage door for your shed, your new house, or even your backyard garage, you're probably wondering what sizes are available on the market. The garage door size you need depends on use. That being said, let’s consider the different possibilities.
Cars have gotten bigger with time, which means that garages installed more than a decade ago can no longer suit you. If you're upgrading to bigger garages, then it's only appropriate that you set bigger garage doors too.
To do this, you need to know the garage doors' dimensions for both commercial and residential infrastructures that can accommodate your vehicle or trucks. There are many tips and tricks you can use to get the right garage door dimensions. Here is a list of a few tips you may find useful.
What do you Need to Know Before Choosing a Garage Door?
First, you’ll need to ask yourself these simple questions:
- Are you renovating your old garage doors, or are you building a completely new garage door?
- Do you know how to measure your garage and garage door dimensions?
- Do you know the type of material you may need your garage door made from?
Tips for Choosing the Right Size Garage Door
If you need to replace your garage door, you'll need to go with the current dimensions. Just take the measurements of your existing garage door, and you're good to go.
However, if you need to renovate your garage and get new garage doors, you'll need to take new measurements. These tips will help you determine the best garage door dimensions to help you get the best garage doors for you.
Assuming that you know the number of vehicles you'll want to park in your garage, then finding the right dimensions for your garage door will be relatively easy.
- It would be best if you took the measurements of your garage door's height and width to help you determine the door size you'll need.
- Next, you should measure the clearance to the left and right of the ‘vehicle.' Factoring in the width of your vehicle will help you determine the amount of clearance you'll need to drive in with your car and exit quickly.
- Measure the headroom. The headroom refers to the space between the top of your garage door and your garage's roof or ceiling. The space between these two points is crucial since it'll be used to accommodate the opening mechanisms.
- You should also measure the backroom or depth of the garage to the nearest obstacle after the door. The reason behind this is because this space is where the opening machine’s hardware will extend. The most common extra space you may need is 18 inches or 46 centimeters.
What do these Garage Door Dimensions Refer to?
When a garage door is described as a 9 by 8 feet garage door, the dimensions mentioned are the dimensions for the door and not the frame. Make sure you get the correct door measurements and adjust well for the frame so that you don't end up ordering a more oversized garage door than you really need.
Once you have made these measurements, you should consult a professional to ensure that you are on the right track. The technician will also advise you on any extra necessary steps you may need to take to ensure that you get the correct dimensions.
What are the Standard Dimensions for Garage Doors?
Most manufacturers sell residential garage doors that are 8 to 20 feet. However, most garages built these days tend to be designed with more and bigger vehicles in mind. Therefore, 8-foot-wide garages may not really suit your needs.
Residential Garage Doors
The standard heights are between 7 to 8 feet unless they are customized to accommodate bigger vehicles.
Single Door Garage
Single garage doors often accommodate one vehicle. If you want to install a single door garage, you'll need the door to be wide enough to allow your car to go through. Getting the right dimensions is always essential; however, these are some standard garage doors dimensions for single garage doors that may suit your needs.
For single door garages with dimensions of around 12 by 22 feet, the most standard garage door's width should be 8 or9 feet. The height of a garage usually is 7 to 8 feet. However, if you want to park an RV (recreational vehicle), the height can go as high as 12 feet.
The best garage door dimensions for an 8 by 14 feet shed should be a width of 6 feet by a height of 6'6 feet. However, if you have more oversized vehicles such as RVs, it would require you to install garages with more significant heights, 12 feet.
Double Door Garage
For double door garages, the garage doors' most standard width is 16 feet, whereas the height is seven or eight feet. However, as with single-door garages, the height can be extended to allow room for RVs for up to 10 feet.
After seeing these double door dimensions, you may be asking yourself if you should get two single doors or one double door. Both of these doors have their pros and cons. You'll have to weigh the two to determine which type of garage door will suit your needs.
Should you Choose Two Single Doors or One Double Door?
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Architectural style
The choice between these two types of garage doors can be a simple question of taste. Installing a double garage door brings a certain sense of symmetry to your house's architecture. Two single doors, on the other hand, lack this quality. However, it all comes down to what you feel might be best for you.
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Practicality
With a double garage door, the chances are that in the event your door gets stuck, then it means that both of your vehicles will be stuck in the garage. However, if you've installed two single doors, then the odds go down considerably.
If you live in cold climates, you have to be aware that double doors let in more cold air than two single doors. And this can make the temperature in your garage fall more rapidly. In this instance, a double door is more practical than two single garage doors.
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Space
Installing a two-door garage provides enough space for you to work on your vehicle, carpentry project, or any other type of project in the garage.
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Ease of Parking
A double garage door makes it easier for you to park your truck than two single garage doors. If you have a full-sized SUV, for instance, then it's generally more advisable for you to install a two-door garage making it easier for you to drive in and out of your garage.
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Cost of Installation
The price for two single doors is almost the same as one double garage door. However, the main difference comes about when you'll need to equip them with an electric door opener. One double garage door needs one motor to operate, whereas two single motor doors will require two motors.
Commercial Garage Doors
Commercial garage doors should be versatile, functional, and practical. They should facilitate easy entry and exits for trucks and safe loading and offloading. It would be best to consider your garage's size and style to get the right dimensions that suit your needs.
There are two types of commercial garage doors; overhead doors and roll-up doors.
Overhead Commercial Garage Doors
Overhead commercial garage doors are extremely resistant to the weather elements and have high security and increased energy efficiency. The standard dimensions for overhead garage doors are 32 by 24 feet.
Roll-Up Commercial Garage Doors
These garage doors are the best for places with limited headroom, and many commercial establishments prefer them because they are easier to operate. The standard dimensions for these types of garage doors are 30 feet by 28 feet.
These garage doors offer a lot of benefits. They are great because they save up space, they are very secure, and they provide excellent resistance to the elements. They are also very durable and will last longer than most other garage doors.
Insulation
If you are looking to install garage doors, you should consider insulation options, especially if your company deals with products susceptible to damage by the elements. Insulated garage doors are great; however, they are a bit small compared to regular garage doors.
Conclusion
Choosing the right garage door dimensions can be a little tricky, but if you know your measurements, then undertaking this task will be no big deal for you. If you follow these guidelines, then you're sure to get the best and most accurate measurements for your garage door.
However, you should ensure that you involve an experienced technician for proper measurements and advice. Ensure that you do not only get a garage door that fits your garage but get a garage door that you can rely on for safety and durability.
Take your time and pick the best garage doors for your needs.
