Garage dimensions have remained about the same for many years: 9 to 10 feet wide, 2.8 to 3 meters and 18 to 20 feet, 5.5 to 6 meters long per car, with a single garage door width of 8 feet, 2.4 meters. The difference in garage dimensions now is that we tend to want more space for storing our stuff along with the car.

It seems that car designers are always enlarging, shrinking and then enlarging their models again to adjust for the latest fashions and technologies, not to mention the price of gas. But there are common parameters that will help you in planning a new garage or remodeling an existing one.

If you have ever scraped your car alongside a garage door frame, you will sympathize with your ancestors, who may have driven even larger cars. Let’s take a look at the dimensions of most garage designs today.

Garage Door Dimensions

Width: 

Single-car doors begin at 8 feet wide, 2.4 meters. You can also get 9-foot-wide doors, 2.7 meters, which will lessen the chance of scraping the fenders on the door frame. 

Doors made for two cars can be as little as 14 feet wide, 4.3 meters, but are more commonly 15 or 16 feet wide, 4.6 or 4.9 meters.

Height: 

The standard garage door height is 7 feet, 2.1 meters, but an 8-foot, 2.4-meter height is also available. You can get a custom height for an additional cost.

Two-Car Garage Dimensions

The single 16-foot-wide, 4.9-meter-wide garage door is large enough to allow two cars to fit and is a common configuration. It is also a good idea to have a 3-foot-wide door to the exterior on the side of the garage. As for the door going into the house from the garage, you will want it to be at least 32 inches, 81 centimeters wide.

Hot-water heaters and mechanical systems are often placed in the garage. If this is done, it is best to create an alcove, or add more depth or width to the 20-foot minimum to accommodate that equipment.

Three-Car Garage Dimensions

A three-vehicle garage common dimensions for just cars is 32 feet wide, 9.8 meters and 22 feet deep, 6.7 meters . Add more space for built-in cabinets or be willing to have a tighter fit.

Common Vehicle Dimensions

Leave at least 36 inches, 0.9 meter between cars so that you can open their doors without hitting another car door. You can go slightly less on side walls, but be certain you can comfortably enter and exit your car.

Vans and SUVs:

◦  Width: 6 to 7 feet / 1.8 to 2.1 meters

◦  Length: 16 to 19 feet / 4.9 to 5.8 meters

◦  Height: 5 to 6 feet / 1.5 to 1.8 meters

Large and Luxury Cars:

◦  Width: 6 to 6½ feet / 1.8 to 1.9 meters

◦  Length: 16 to 18 feet / 4.9 to 5.5 meters

◦  Height: 4½ to 5 feet (1.4 to 1.5 meters

Compact and Sports Cars:

◦  Width: 5 to 6 feet / 1.5 to 1.8 meters

◦  Length: 14 to 16 feet / 4.3 to 4.9 meters

◦  Height: 4 to 5 feet / 1.2 to 1.5 meters

Other Garage Considerations

Storage

Garage cabinet systems have similar dimensions to those in kitchens. You can buy base units that are 24 inches, 61 centimeters deep, but some come in depths of 12 or 18 inches, 30 or 45 centimeters as well. Coordinate these with the dimensions of your car so you will know how much space you can use for storage.

Stairs

Steps that go directly into the interior of the house are ideal. Steps with 6-inch, 15-centimeter risers and a platform or stoop are ideal; it is best to keep risers under 8 inches, 20 centimeters. Make sure you find out about local code restrictions and be certain to follow them.

Bumpers or Curbs

Having a curb opposite the garage door will keep your vehicles from running into the facing wall. If you make it 4 inches high, it will be low enough so the front bumpers don’t scrape. Even if you have an existing garage with a level floor, you can find bumpers to mount onto the floor to solve this problem.

Driveway

Driveways to the garage can eat up considerable space on your property. Balancing one with your home’s design takes careful planning.

Most will simply be in a straight line from the street to the garage, but if you are planning a motor court, consider that the turning diameter for a car is between 40 and 50 feet, 12.2 and 15.2 meters. You need at least 25 feet, 7.6 meters to comfortably back up and then begin a turn to move forward.

Zoning and Regulations

Many zoning and building codes have minimum dimensions for garages, so be certain you know those when planning your design. Local building codes also address door hardware, protection of the mechanical systems from cars and garage door openers, so consult a design professional to be sure you are covered for these issues.

Garage Door Design Ideas

Be generous with details around garage doors. They are usually prominent features on a house simply because of their scale. You want to complement your architecture while paying close attention to the scale of other elements on the house.

Details and good proportions help elevate design. Two single doors often look better than one wide door, because the proportions coordinate better.

When a double door must be used, consider the design. Multipane windows and appropriately proportioned panels can complement the home’s design. Save double doors for contemporary architecture in which horizontal lines dominate the theme.

Also consider your garage‘s relative height to the finished front view of your house so as not to take away from the architecture and streetscape. While this solution is likely on the upper end of budget parameters, you should consider how the dimensions of your garage will affect the aesthetics of your house. Using single doors rather than double, setting the face of the garage back from the primary elevation and blending the design of the doors into the building are just some tricks to keep your garage proportions from overtaking your house.

Get a jump on preparing your house for the holidays so you can relax and enjoy the season’s simple pleasures.

With Christmas approaching and the winter holidays around the corner, there are things to look forward to and prepare for this time of year — even with the adjustments we are having to make because of the pandemic. Batten down the hatches for winter and get a jump on holiday prep, so you can relax and savor the pleasures of the season, like family dinners and walks in the crisp outdoors.

Things to Check Off In An Hour Or Less

Replace Floor Protectors On Chairs 

Don’t let dining chairs do damage to your hardwood floors: Check their feet and add or replace floor-protecting pads if needed. Felt pads come in self-adhesive and nail-in varieties; if you’re using the self-adhesive type, be sure to clean the base of each chair foot thoroughly and allow it to dry before applying.

Examine The Sump Pump 

If you have a sump pump in your basement as protection in case of flooding, make sure it is working properly before the rainy season really gets going, and then repair or replace it if needed.

Check Paths, Stairs and Railings For Safety 

Slips and falls on ice and snow can happen anywhere, but they’re even more likely if the footing is uneven or a railing isn’t sturdy. Take a walk around your home’s exterior, paying special attention to walkways, stairs and railings, and make repairs as needed.

Show Some Kindness To Feathered Friends

Non-migrating birds can use extra help when wild food becomes scarce and water sources freeze. Stock up now on birdseed so you can keep those feeders full, and consider providing a water source as well — refresh it daily to prevent mosquitoes.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Get A Jump On Holiday Prep

If you plan to have a special holiday, take a bit of time now to prepare a few things in advance. Launder and iron the fancy linens (roll up freshly ironed linens on old wrapping paper tubes to prevent wrinkles), drop off the kitchen knives for a professional sharpening or polish some silver — you’ll thank yourself later.

Deep-Clean Bathrooms 

Aim to schedule a deep cleaning of the bathrooms so a quick surface wipe-down will be all you’ll need to get things looking spotless again during the holidays.

Check Bathtub Caulk And Repair If Needed

While cleaning the bathroom, notice the condition of the caulk around the tub. Cracked or worn out caulk can allow water to seep into your home’s framing. If you spot a problem area, get it replaced as soon as possible.

Inspect House Exterior And Cover Gaps 

Cover any gaps you find around the exterior of your home that may be large enough for a mouse to enter — it doesn’t take much space for these little critters to sneak in. Cover exterior vents with hardware cloth, and attach door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors to stop furry creatures from squeezing in when the weather turns chilly.

Remove The Last Of The Fall Leaves 

Aim to fit in one final raking and gutter-cleaning session once the last leaves have fallen — but before the first snow.

Maintenance and Extras To Budget For

Fix Plumbing Issues Before The Holiday Crunch 

Have a slow drain, stuck garbage disposal or finicky toilet? Don’t wait until the busy holiday season, when it may be harder to find a plumber who’s available. Fix it now.

Force Bulbs Indoors 

Potted bulbs make a lovely, thoughtful gift, and if you’re potting them for yourself, it’s easy enough to make a bunch to give away throughout the holiday season.

Stock Up For Winter 

If you live in a region with cold, snowy winters, taking the time now to stock up on winter gear and supplies will mean less stress when that first big storm hits.

◦  Check snow shovels and ice scrapers; replace as needed.

◦  If you use a fireplace or wood stove, order firewood.

◦  Pick up a bag of pet- and plant-safe ice melt.

◦  Restock emergency kits for car and home.

◦  If you use a snow blower, have it serviced and purchase fuel.

◦  If your home has an emergency power generator, review safety standards and check that it’s working properly.