What Are the Standard Garage Door Sizes? A Homeowner’s Guide
Written by: Uplift Garage
If you’re planning on investing in new garage doors or upgrading your existing ones, you may have many concerns, including a common question asked by many homeowners: What are the standard garage door sizes?
As it turns out, there’s no clear-cut answer to this question. Rather, garage doors come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of vehicles and garage structures.
In this blog, we’ll explore the typical sizes (and size ranges) of garage doors, factors that influence these dimensions, how to measure your garage door, and where to find professional help to ensure a perfect fit.
Is There a True "Standard" Garage Door Size?
The size of a garage door depends on many factors, including:
- type of vehicle(s)
- number of vehicles
- other storage needs
- the architecture of the home
- personal preferences
The takeaway for homeowners? While manufacturers tend to adhere to common garage door dimensions, calling any one size "standard" is misleading.
Average Width of Garage Doors
Garage door width is a critical dimension. Two of the most common types of garages are single-car garages and double-car garages. Typical widths for each are as follows:
- For single-car garages, the average width typically ranges from 8 to 10 feet. This allows enough room for a standard car to pass through comfortably. The wider the opening, the more comfortable the movement will be. For example, a 7-foot opening is likely to be a tighter squeeze, while 9+- feet makes it easy to park and open car doors.
- For double-car garage doors, the average width may range between 16 and 18 feet wide. This wider opening provides ample space for two vehicles to park side by side while still leaving enough room for you to maneuver through the space and open car doors without bumping into each other.
Average Height of Garage Doors
Compared to their width, the average height of garage doors is more uniform.
Most standard garage doors are 7 or 8 feet tall, which accommodates the majority of personal vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
However, if you have storage requirements for taller vehicles like RVs or boats, your garage doors can be custom-configured to be 10 feet or taller.
Single Car vs Double Car Garage Doors
Deciding between a single-car and a double-car garage door is also a consideration you may be wrestling with as a homeowner.
Single-car garage doors are ideal for homeowners with one vehicle or limited garage space. They’re also a smart choice if you use your garage primarily for storage or as a workshop.
Double-car garage doors are suitable for homeowners with multiple vehicles, ample garage square footage, or multipurpose garage space needs. For example, if you plan to store a vehicle while also utilizing garage space for other purposes, a double-car door may make more sense.
In order to make the most informed choice, be sure to consider both your current and future needs. For example, if you have a growing family, you may eventually have more drivers and cars.
Finally, don’t forget to factor in value and ROI. According to a National Association of Home Builders’ study of what home buyers really want, 42 percent of homebuyers prefer two-car garages over other parking options. This means that in addition to being more convenient, double-car garage doors may also be a better investment.
That being said, whatever type of garage you invest in, you can expect it to help make your home easier to sell—and to collect a higher price in the process. According to
Remodeling magazine’s 2023
Cost vs. Value report,
garage door replacements claimed the second place spot in the rankings in terms of ROI, coming in at an impressive 103 percent.
How to Measure Your Garage Door
There’s a lot more to garage door measurements than the door’s height and width. Your measurements must also consider the tracks, garage door opener, and weatherstripping—both while the garage is open and closed.
Furthermore, curb appeal should also be considered: there should be an aesthetically appealing amount of space between the edges of the door and garage.
Keep in mind that garage door measurements pertain to the dimensions of the door itself, not the frame. When you measure, make sure to leave room for the frame. Otherwise, you risk ending up with a garage door that won’t fit inside the frame.
- Measure height and width. Using a tape measure, measure the height and width of the garage door opening, AKA “rough opening.” Again, be sure to measure from the jam board (the vertical boards inside the opening) to the jam board, not from the door frame. You may end up with odd-sized measuring due to factors like uneven concrete, sagging headers, etc.
- Measure the side room. Most garage track systems require between 3 3/4 and 5 1/2 inches of space per side, AKA the “side room.”
- Check the headroom. Most standard garage door openers require at least 10 inches of space between the top of the door opening and the ceiling, AKA the “headroom.” headroom.
- Measure the backroom. The distance from the garage door opening to the back wall, this measurement is crucial for installing the garage door opener. Door height + 18 inches is a common rule of thumb.
Need a New Garage Door? Uplift Can Help!
Whether you know the exact type and size of garage door you need or you’re just starting to think about a new garage door and need expert advice, Uplift is ready to help.
In addition to guiding you through the garage door buying process including choosing the right garage door type and garage door style, Uplift’s team of experts will take perfect measurements and and handle both installation and maintenance with ease and expedience.
To get started with your garage door installation or replacement project in the Chicagoland area,
contact Uplift today for a complimentary estimate.
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