Choosing a width fo...
 

[Closed] Choosing a width for a garage door - how wide is too wide?

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I'm just finalising the design for my timber garage and I'm starting to think that fitting a massively wide double door might be overkill. The internal width of the garage is 5.3m (just over 17ft if you prefer) and I was initially thinking of having a 4.4m opening (14ft).

On closer consideration I reckon the overall width is a bit tight for two cars and some stuff (never really intended it to be a two car garage)  so a 10 or 11ft door might be adequate. I'd really like the door to be central rather than having to choose a side

The question is - would this be massively offputting so somebody aspiring to squeeze two cars in there in the future - or do those people simply not exist?


 
Posted : 19/06/2018 5:56 pm
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Personally I’d offset it.

Gives better storage/workspace now and the option to fit another narrower one at a later date if things change.

Never limit the options - say a 9-12ft now leaving plenty.


 
Posted : 19/06/2018 6:10 pm
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Build it for yourself. Why spend all that money and compromise what you want for some hypothetical next owner? Most people don’t care about garages anyway so it won’t make a difference to value of house.

I’d put a single door on to get one car in and have the rest as a workshop.


 
Posted : 19/06/2018 6:13 pm
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Certainly build what you want but if you think things may change you can allow for it. My garage/workshop is block built and I've added a couple of extra lintels so it'd be easy to put in bigger openings or windows and turn it into a home office or proper car garage if I or the next owner wanted. I'm sure you can do similar in timber.


 
Posted : 19/06/2018 6:29 pm
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I don't see the advantage of fitting a narrower door, what type of door are you fitting anyhow? My parents have a big double garage with a roller door/shutter on it and it works great (and has done for over 15 years so far). I take it widening the garage itself (so it's a comfortable fit for 2 cars + stuff) isn't an option?


 
Posted : 20/06/2018 7:25 am
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I think I'd prefer two doors if you are planning on using it as a workshop at all, thats a big opening if you plan to have a workbench in there and don't want freezing wind and rain blowing around the garage.

Or go for concertina doors so you can have a pedestrian door, or open more sections as required?  Probably a pricey option.


 
Posted : 20/06/2018 9:11 am
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As above, you definitely want a pedestrian door. Much easier for 99% of time you are going in and out. If you already have that in the plan then carry on 🙂 If not you could put a 4.4m opening in so the option of the double door is there then put a standard single garage door and a pedestrian door in with a removable infill panel between them.


 
Posted : 20/06/2018 9:25 am
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Joining the choir of two doors here.  I'd love a garage big enough to have a normal door for cars/bikes/etc and a separate pedestrian door on the workshop side.  Our old house had a double garage with a double door and whilst the access was great, it swept in a huge amount of detritus if the weather wasn't great and I wanted to pop in...


 
Posted : 20/06/2018 3:50 pm