The standard garage dimensions for the many types of garage

It is normal to have cars in our homes today. The problem arises when we need to keep them, as we need a lot of space to locate the vehicle and at the same time be comfortable and spacious to move around or even do repairs.

That is why we have to take the garage dimensions into account when building or buying our house. Today we will show you how you can make the best decision for yourself and your vehicle.

Image source: Chapman Design Group, Inc.

The first thing we shouldn’t forget is obvious, and that is that much of our choice depends on the size of our vehicle as well as the amount of these vehicles that we have. The garage required for a van is not the same for a Mini Cooper.

Image source: Brands Maselli Architects

Different garage sizes should enable us to move around in vehicles without problems and to open the doors comfortably. Regardless of our choice, we can be sure that with some standard measures we have the space we need for every occasion.

Standard garage size for multiple occasions

A car garage if we are looking for something compact

Image source: Anderson architecture

The smallest option for garage dimensions is one where we can only park one car. The advantage of this type of garages is that, due to their size, we can convert them into rooms or sheds if at any time we run out of vehicles. The space we need is 6 meters deep, 3.65 meters wide and at least 2.75 meters wide.

Garage for 1.5 vehicles? A growing demand

Image source: Carolina Custom Builders

It sounds strange to say that there are garages for one and a half vehicles, but beyond the name, this only refers to dimensions that allow us to have more space to maneuver in the garage. This extra space for semi-cars also allows us to have areas for mechanical maintenance, or we can even store smaller vehicles like motorcycles.

Garages for a single vehicle can be a good starting point if we want to add extra space. Before we start this kind of remodeling, it is advisable to check whether we need to make the changes or, on the contrary, this project is more likely to damage our wallets.

Image source: Garage envy

And while some designs are perfect for this type of expansion, others, on the contrary, require larger jobs that can involve relocating the access gate.

Regardless of whether you build it from scratch or start from an earlier base, we tell you that this garage is 7.30 m (24 feet) deep, 4.87 m (16 feet) wide and has the same 9 foot gate to keep it practical.

Two garage dimensions for additional convenience

Image source: 365 studio

The most popular of all variants is the garage for two vehicles. These garage dimensions allow us to accommodate the average number of vehicles per family or household. When it comes to double garages, we have two options to build them when it comes to gates.

Image source: Farmer Payne Architects – Sun Valley

The most aesthetic alternative is to use two individual 9-foot gates. However, if we want to cut costs, a single large gate (about 16 feet) is our option.

In order to have a garage of this type, we need to have a minimum space where the width is 20 feet and stands next to the depth.

Three garage dimensions for progress

Image source: Bosenberg and Company Landscape Architects

A three car garage can mean that our family is growing, that our economic wellbeing is improving, or that you simply want more space to make all your mechanical dreams come true. However, we are at a time when more vehicles can be a great advantage.

Image source: SV design

Since it is most likely that our vehicles are larger at this point, we need to add a small distance to the depth that reaches 6.70 m (22 feet) while the width is 9.75 m (32 feet). Here, the standard option is to simply install a wide 16-foot gate and use the extra depth to maneuver when parking.

Required height for a garage

Image source: Ken Gutmaker architectural photography

In contrast to the rooms in which we go every day, a garage can only serve as a warehouse, so its height should not be so high. It must be at least 2.13 m high. However, when we reach 2.43 m, it is much better to be able to install other elements such as standard doors and windows.

Also keep in mind that a garage prepared for compact vehicles is not the same as a van. The latter requires a much higher height. Another factor to consider is whether the height matches the rest of our home.

In simple terms, the minimum height of a garage door is 7 feet, so anything above that dimension works perfectly for a garage with options for other purposes.

Should I choose a connected or independent garage?

Only ingenuity is required to get additional space. When we have enough land, we sometimes want to build an independent garage that gives us more security. We can even have both garages in our residence so we can just use one as a backup.

Let us briefly consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of construction

Attached garage

Image source: Upwall design

There is not much to understand about this design; It is simply a garage that has a direct access door to our house. This guy makes it easier for us to get around because we can just park and enter the house.

It’s also perfect for rainy days and snowfall as we don’t have the risk of getting wet. A built-on garage is the standard option when it comes to constructions, as they fit directly into the design of the house.

Image source: J Taylor Designs

Of course, these have certain negative points, such as the fact that they are directly connected to the house and normally dangerous substances such as petrol or oil are stored in the garage. They are also problematic with smoke as they allow them to enter the house if there is insufficient ventilation.

Independent garage

Image source: FitzHarris Designs, Architects + Designers

This has the advantages and problems over the previous version. The first is to emphasize that since we are completely separate from our home, we can find it anywhere in the country and build larger garages when we need it. These garages also give us greater creative freedom as they are foreign to the main residential complex.

Image source: Architectural collaboration

However, an independent garage needs its foundations, so we are building a small separate house. If you want to avoid the bad weather on the way between the garage and your house, you will most likely need to install an additional roof in the garden.

Make optimal use of the available space

Image source: emeritus

If we don’t have a lot of space to expand our garage, we can always use some constructive and organizational tricks to make the most of the space available. If you still have doubts as to whether you need the extension or not, we recommend trying the following first:

• The first is the order of the objects in the garage. Large or small, everyone must be in suitable and accessible locations. Install shelves on the walls so you can use as much vertical space as possible. For smaller objects, drawers can be sorted using drawers.
• Try growing up first by increasing the ceiling height. This makes your garage feel more spacious without having to resort to more square meters. You can also try installing grids to divide the rooms without reducing visibility, which makes the room feel smaller than before.
• If you don’t want to extend horizontally but want to expand vertically, you should consider a second floor where you can create a new room.

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