Whether you’re having a new garage built or replacing an old door, knowing common sizes of garage doors is essential. At Top Service Garage Door Repair, specializing in garage door repair in Stuart, we’re regularly asked about common sizes of residential garage doors, and surprisingly, this information is more important than you may think.
Let’s break down what you need to know and discuss ways to determine garage door sizes based on their heights
Average Garage Door Sizes
Single-car garages usually require doors that are about 7 feet high, as this is considered a common standard for most garages due to its ability to suit most cars, sedans, SUVs, and trucks on the market today. Many homeowners ask, how tall is a standard garage door? The answer is typically 7 feet, but some doors are taller, depending on preferences and vehicle needs.
As far as two-car garages are concerned, there will be little or no change in the height, which will remain at 7 feet, while the width will be around 16 feet. People often wonder, how tall are standard garage doors? Again, for most double garages, 7 feet is common.
Recently, however, we have observed a trend towards taller doors, and many new homes have come equipped as standard with doors that are actually 8 feet tall, due no doubt to changes in car sizes and the homeowner’s preference for space augmentation. This shift impacts the average height of a garage door, giving you more options as vehicle sizes continue to change.
Principal Factors Determining the Height of Garage Doors
When we collaborate on designing the appropriate garage door height, many prominent points are observed.
Vehicle clearance is at the top of this list. If you have a lifted truck, van, or SUV and roof mounted racks, a typical 7-foot door may not offer sufficient clearance. Our general advice is that you measure your tallest vehicle and then allow at least 12 inches of clearance space for easy entry and exit.
Storage space is also an area of great importance. Many people who own homes have garages that are used for more than just parking cars. You may be storing goods that will be accessed through a taller door, and that is always a great thing because you won’t struggle to get access as before.
Another contributing factor is your house’s architectural style. Traditionally built houses have garage doors that are shorter, while more modern houses have doors that are taller, resulting in a more open and modern look and feel. It is always essential that we can complement your house’s architectural style with our doors.
Alternative Heights for Garage Doors
Not every garage needs to be of standard 7 feet. There are many instances when we have installed doors of varied heights based on certain requirements. Eight-foot doors have become more and more popular as people buy larger cars or just need more space to move around inside their garage. Noticeably, one foot of extra space on these doors will make all the difference as people enter their garages.
When it comes to RV garages or workshops, we typically have doors that range from 10 to 14 feet high. These are specialized doors that require heavy-duty framing and heavy-duty hardware, but they are necessary for parking an RV, a boat, or commercial equipment, for instance. For those wondering how tall are garage doors in specialty spaces, this wider range is important to consider.
Custom sizes can be provided if your project requires a one-of-a-kind installation. Our range of projects has included historic home restoration projects that have required smaller doors and more contemporary projects that have been much wider, combining indoors and outdoors.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Garage
Choosing the right height for your garage door can be made easy by first taking into consideration the size of your cars and your intended usage of the garage space.
So, we always suggest having some room left for growth. Even if your present car can easily pass through a 7-foot door, your future car may not be able to pass through that door easily. You can save the trouble of having to replace the door at a later stage by fitting an 8-foot door now.
If you are having trouble deciding on dimensions, we can assist you on this matter at Top Service Garage Door Repair. Our experienced personnel can examine your home, take accurate measurements, and point you towards choices that can effectively serve your intended purpose and meet your aesthetics goals as well!
