Is Your Garage Wide Enough To Install Two Doors? Here's How Much Space You Need

If your garage is currently feeling a bit more cramped than it is convenient, it might be time for an upgrade to your space. Whether you're adding to an expansive tool collection, storing a few vintage cars, or simply want a garage layout that works best for your home, rethinking your garage doors might be the next step in your renovation project. While a single garage door can certainly get the job done, there are plenty of modern garage door designs to consider for your home. Installing two singular garage doors offer a whole host of benefits for your garage, including increased temperature control, noise management, and greater accessibility to your space. But before you start tearing into your garage exterior, it is important to consider the width requirements for a double garage door installation.

The main consideration for installing two single garage doors is the width of your existing space. Singular garage doors are typically between 8 to 9 feet wide. However, you will also need to provide enough clearance between the doors to allow for access around parked cars. Experts recommend at least 4 feet between the two doors, which allows you to open car doors without hitting other vehicles. You will also need to be mindful of the side clearances of your garage doors, as any retaining walls or additional exterior structures may increase the width requirements. If you are considering two garage doors, the width for an installation is 22 feet to properly accommodate any clearance issues that may prevent your garage from being a usable space.

Even if your garage meets the minimum width requirements for a set of double doors, there are still a few factors that may hinder or limit your ability to install it. Height is another consideration that you need to be making when deciding on whether or not you are able to install a set of garage doors. Singular garage doors tend to be between 7 to 8 feet tall, requiring a minimum height of around 8 feet. An automatic track requires around 10 to 12 inches of overhead clearance to properly install the system. Additionally, you should have enough backroom to fit the entire door plus a further 18 inches. If you already have a single door installed, you should have the necessary height requirements for a set of double doors.

It might not seem like there is an ideal way to organize your garage, but the layout can also determine your ability to install a set of garage doors. With an increased width, there is a need for further head clearance in the garage itself. Any structural supports that might have been worked around with a singular door will need to be completely removed to increase the overhead space for the two doors. They will require any supporting structures to either be down the middle of your garage or with a significant head clearance for any existing structural elements. You may also need to increase the stability of your existing garage ceiling to sustain the weight of more garage doors. In doing so, you may also have to reroute any existing electrical or HVAC systems that may get in the way of the two doors being raised properly.

If you don't have enough space to install two individual garage doors, there are still plenty of options to expand the functionality of your garage entryways. The best alternative would be to install a singular "double" garage door. It offers additional flexibility when it comes to garage storage, allowing you to park in any space behind your garage door. You can store your car directly down the center, leaving space on the sides for seasonal storage or adding a custom workbench to your garage. This type of door is double the width of a traditional door, running slightly smaller than a set of two single doors or around 16 feet. However, you run into the same structural issues, as it may require significant renovations within your garage itself. Existing support beams or pillars will need to be removed to accommodate a double garage door. It is an excellent option if you have plenty of space in your existing garage but can't quite meet the requirements of two garage doors.

For garages with an extremely limited amount of space, there are a few options that can still give your garage a necessary refresh. Sliding garage doors operate on a horizontal track, which completely eliminates the need for any overhead clearance. Folding versions are available that compress accordion-style to the side of your garage that also don't require overhead space. Carriage garage doors are another alternative, as they swing outward like a traditional door. If you have limited interior height within your garage, these can be an excellent space-saving solution as long as you have sufficient driveway space.