What do you mean I need to choose a garage door size? Don’t garages automatically come with the right size door? Yep, you get a door with a garage, it’s standard and expected. However, the garage door may not be the right size for you. Whether you’re replacing an old beat-up garage door or starting a construction project, there are a few considerations when it comes to size. Here are some essential tips for choosing a garage door size that fits your needs.

Start By Measuring Your Garage

The door can’t be larger or smaller than the opening in your garage. In other words, you don’t want a gap between the door and garage frame. You also don’t want the door sticking out over the frame. Can you imagine trying to open a door that’s too big for the garage? Chances are, you won’t even be able to get the door on the tracks.

Okay, you understand the garage door size must match the structure’s dimensions. This also isn’t the time to guestimate the garage’s width and height. You’re going to need a tape measure and probably a ladder. Try avoiding using a yardstick, it only makes the task more difficult.

Measure the garage door’s height. This is the height from the top of the opening all the way down to the ground. Don’t shorten the length by an inch or so. This leaves you with an ill-fitting garage door that lets moisture and debris get inside. Even though the width typically varies, a three-car garage is going to be wider than a single-vehicle one, the height generally averages around 7 feet. Don’t freak out if your garage is a little shorter or taller. Double-check your measurements and go from there. Even though the height and width are crucial measurements, installation goes a little easier if you keep the measuring tape out.

Measuring things like the headroom and width between the garage side and door opening are good places to start. This gives you a general idea of whether you’re going to need extras like torsion or extension springs. If you’re not sure what the headroom is in your garage. This is the amount of space between the ceiling and garage door opening.

One, Two, or Three Garage Doors

The size of your garage really doesn’t matter when it comes to the number of doors. However, your budget will probably have something to say. Obviously, costs go up with each additional garage door. With that being said, here’s some reason to go with one or multiple garage doors.

Appearance and Style

There’s something to be said for how two garage doors look compared to one. Even a single-car garage can boost two doors. Granted these are probably going to be custom-designed, and this usually means an uptick in pricing. Functionality is another consideration. 

Do you really want to mess with two doors every time you back in and out of the garage? Since most single-car garage doors measure about 9 feet wide, this usually gives you plenty of room to maneuver just about any vehicle inside.

Type and Size of Your Vehicles

The vehicles you’re planning on parking in the garage play a role in the door size. For example, if you’re parking a golf cart next to a passenger vehicle you have a bit of room to play with on door size. You can go with a larger size garage door for your vehicle and a smaller one to let the golf cart in and out. Just remember, the garage openings must accommodate the doors. So, if you want different-sized garage doors, plan for this during construction.

RVs and other large recreational vehicles need large doors. You also need a relatively spacious garage like one wide enough to fit three vehicles. This means the garage door also needs to be wide enough to let the large vehicle fit through. You can install a single garage door, measuring about 32 feet wide. Installing one door, even a large, heavy one tends to be a little easier than getting multiple ones up. The main downside is the door’s weight. You’re probably going to spend a bit on an automatic system capable of lifting the heavy door.

In this scenario, going with two smaller doors is often the best option. Just make sure the garage openings are wide enough to fit your large vehicle. Choosing a garage door size can be challenging but the professionals are always here to offer advice.

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