What Is a Two-Car Garage’s Standard Size?
If you’re thinking of constructing a two-car garage to your house or expanding an existing one to accommodate a second vehicle, you’ll want to be sure you have enough room. Despite the fact that measurements vary greatly, you may precisely estimate the amount of space you’ll need to cover your cars as well as any activities you want to allow in your garage.
Measurements for Single-Car Garages on the Average
Single-car garages are typically 10, 12, or 14 feet wide. A 10-foot width, on the other hand, will be insufficient for anything bigger than a small automobile or motorbike. Housing developers and builders often list 12 feet by 24 feet and 14 feet by 28 feet as the most typical one-car garage measurements.
Dimensions for Two Vehicles (Standard)
Many developers claim that square designs of 20 or 24 feet are the most popular measurements for two-car garages. With these proportions, you can easily park two cars while still having adequate room for storage, hobbies, and other activities.
If your garage is 18 feet broad and 20 feet long, you can park two cars that are 6 feet broad and 18 feet long, but you won’t have much space to open doors or move about. You will not have a lot of storage space.
When talking to contractors regarding garage measurements, keep in mind that they’re most likely referring to the exterior measurements. To get more precise interior measures, subtract 6 to 8 inches from their figures.
Calculating the Size of Your Two-Car Garage
The easiest place to start is to measure the two automobiles you want to keep in your new garage.
Of course, specific lengths vary, but the kind of vehicle implies a typical length. A two- or four-door car, for example, will be roughly 14 feet long, while a light pickup truck will add around 4 feet.
Both the length and the breadth should be measured. In fact, breadth is the more significant measurement in several aspects. After all, additional room will be required for opening and shutting doors, entering and departing vehicles, and loading and unloading them.
Add the widths together, then add a buffer on each side for open doors. If your budget allows, plan for a minimum of 30 inches on each sides of a car. Keep in mind, however, that increasing the square footage of your garage will increase the cost of its construction.
Finally, make sure you have enough extra room to meet your storage requirements. For shelving or stacking requirements along the side walls or, more typically, the back wall, add 2 feet to the appropriate size. If you want to use your garage for anything else, you’ll need at least enough room to stand with your arms extended and move freely along each axis.
Don’t Forget to Consider the Garage Door
Make sure to include in the area required for your garage door when planning your space and budget. You’ll probably be able to get away with a single overhead door in a garage up to 20 feet wide. These doors will provide you the finest results for the least amount of money and work.
If you’re building a larger garage, a 16-foot overhead door will provide you 2 feet of extra room on either side of the door. You could also build two separate nine-foot-wide doors, each leading to a different parking place in your two-car garage.
If you choose the two-door version, your garage should be at least 24 feet wide to allow for 2 feet of room on the sides for door-opening and navigating area.
Also, remember to leave at least 1 foot of space over the tallest point of our automobile or vehicle. This will make it easier to operate the garage door.
Check for local restrictions and ordinances.
Many parts of garage building and expansion projects are governed by regulations in most towns. Zoning restrictions, for example, will almost always compel lot owners to follow lot setback measures from the closest lot property boundary (for example, 10 feet or so).
When it comes to the size of the garage, most municipal zoning rules are quiet. However, particularly on a smaller lot, such setback rules might have a considerable influence on your designs. Before you start working, double-check the regulations that apply to your property.
If your homeowner’s association has regulations and covenants, you’ll want to double-check them. These limitations may apply to a variety of characteristics of the garage, such as roofing materials and pitch, minimum and maximum sizes, and more. The HOA generally tightly enforces these restricted covenants, even if they aren’t laws. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in significant penalties and expenses.