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Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Sizes

July 18, 2023

Garage doors come in various sizes, and choosing the right one for your home can be intimidating. It’s essential to take time to research the various options available so you make an informed decision about which size is best for you.

In this blog post, our team at Safety Garage Door Repair & Installation will cover everything from measuring your existing garage door opener to selecting material and style that'll look great on your home. We’ll also discuss what types of windows are available and how playstyles affect capacity ideas.

By understanding all these components, you can confidently choose the proper size garage door that fits both your budget and needs!

Understanding Standard Garage Door Sizes and Measurements

Many people take the standard garage door size for granted, but understanding what size you need before making a purchase is critical. It's essential to find out the width, height, and headroom when looking at different sizes so you buy the appropriate size door.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Common HeightsCommon Width
Single Doors7/8 feet8/9/10 feet
Double Doors7/8 feet16/18 feet
RV Doors10/12/14 feet10/12/14 feet
NotesDoor heights available in 3-inch increments, aside from 7-feet, 3-inchesDoor width available in 2-inch increments

If you measure incorrectly, you may have to pay for expensive modifications or even have to replace your door altogether. Make sure to double-check with a professional installer to learn exactly what measurements are needed for the type of garage door you purchased or plan on purchasing.

Knowing these simple measurements will protect against unnecessary costs and time.

garage door problems and solutions

Standard Garage Door Thickness

The thickness of a standard garage door can vary based on the size, style, and material used.

For example, a roller shutter door will typically be made from robust sheet steel and may measure up to 0.8mm in thickness, whereas traditional uPVC doors can usually range anywhere between 40mm to 42mm.

Homeowners should always ensure and check specifications beforehand if replacing any part of their existing garage door system to ensure they're getting the right components for their specific garage door setup.

Regardless, it’s essential to always have accurate circumstances when making important decisions regarding upkeep, replacements, or repairs of one's garage doors.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Garage Door Size

Selecting a new garage door size is an important decision that should be taken seriously. When selecting a new garage door, there are multiple factors to consider including vehicle size, desired clearance, the fit of the doorway into its opening, and budget.

You should also consider any other objects in the vicinity of the garage entryway that may limit your options when picking out a new design or size.

Measure precisely before ordering and ensure your selection meets relevant local building authority codes; many areas have initiatives regarding the installation of certain-sized garage doors to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

Ensuring you have all the necessary information before selecting your new garage door will make this home upgrade project run smoothly and efficiently, providing you with peace of mind for years to come.

Different Types of Doors and How They Can Affect the Size of Your Garage

Dimensions of Single-Car Garage Doors

Single garage doors come in various dimensions, which can be determined by the size of the corresponding opening.

The standard size of a single-car garage door most often starts at 8 to 14 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet high. It's important to note that single doors wider than 10 feet usually require two or more sections that operate independently, allowing for equal distribution of weight.

Understanding your needs guarantees that you'll get a single garage door suitable for your particular size and style of the garage while providing reliable performance and lasting efficiency.

Dimensions of Two-Car Garage Doors

A double garage door is an essential feature of many homes, allowing homeowners to conveniently access and store larger vehicles. When planning for a double door, it's essential to understand the dimensions of a double garage door.

On average, these doors commonly measure between 10 and 16 feet in width, with a height ranging from 7 to 8 feet. To ensure the space can accommodate both cars adequately, those installing should consider their vehicle size and clearance requirements.

Where possible, double-door garages should also plan for additional wiggle room between their car and the garage walls – this way, space won’t be too cramped as owners move items in and out of the area. With a range of sizes available, it's also worth considering how much headroom you need when it comes to opening and shutting the door.

Investing in the right two-car garage door size will ensure optimal use over the years to come so you can enjoy the convenience at your home's entrance.

two-car garage door

Dimensions of RV Garage Doors

As you're shopping for RV garage doors, understanding the dimensions is essential. Standard door widths range from 8 ft to 20 feet, and heights from 8 feet to 10 feet. Furthermore, your setup will determine what size of door you need.

For instance, if you'd like to park your RV inside and have enough space around it, having a larger door provides more room for maneuvering when entering and exiting. Additionally, understanding the size of your existing frame is key.

Measure twice so that your new garage door fits perfectly the first time!

Dimensions of Boat Garage Doors

Boat owners know the importance of properly storing their watercraft, and a garage door is often the perfect option for protection against weather and theft. Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to the dimensions available for boat garage doors.

Depending on the size of your boat, you can install a single panel that can be hinged or lift-operated up to 40 feet wide and 20 feet high. In some cases, multiple panels may be combined to create even larger openings without sacrificing strength or compromising weight capacity requirements. Additionally, large panels are easy to operate with standard manual or motorized controls depending on your preferences.

The right fit in terms of size is essential for creating safe and effective protection for your boat while allowing access at any time and giving you peace of mind knowing it's secure.

Combination Garage Doors

Combination garage doors are a great choice for those who want to maximize space and style. Thanks to its unique function of opening up and then outwards, this gate takes up very little space in width as the door doesn't need to be opened outwards or into the roadway.

They come in a variety of sizes and finishes to accommodate any space. However, keep in mind that generally, the minimum width requirement of a combination door is 6'9", although customization possibilities allow for smaller door dimensions if necessary.

Furthermore, heights range between two standard size groups so that regardless of the height restriction of your opening, you should be able to find a combination garage door that meets your needs!

Custom Garage Doors

There are more custom garage door sizes than ever before. With an ever-growing selection of materials, styles, and features to consider, the sky is the limit when it comes to personalizing your ideal door. Some common dimensions for residential garage doors include widths of eight, nine, or 10 feet and heights of seven or eight feet.

When purchasing garage doors that come in multiple panel sections, be sure to measure carefully, as multiple panel designs can vary in width from single panel designs. You also want to ensure that you select a model with an opening wide enough for larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks.

Whatever dimensions you choose for your new custom garage door, consider where furniture or other large items will need to be placed to access the door easily.

Benefits of Having a Larger or Smaller Garage Door

Having a large or small garage door has its unique benefits. A larger garage door offers greater convenience for loading and unloading both bulky items and everyday vehicles.

On the other hand, a smaller garage door is easier to close securely, which can be essential in areas with a high potential for theft or break-ins. Additionally, increasing the size of your garage door might add aesthetic value to your home due to more interesting design opportunities, while shrinking the size of it may make it easier to install when dealing with limited space.

Ultimately, whether you choose a larger or smaller size will depend on your functional needs and the amount of space available around your home.

How to Measure Your Garage Door

If you plan to purchase a new garage door, our team is more than happy to assist you by visiting your location and taking accurate measurements to guarantee a perfect fit.

But, if you intend to take a DIY approach, we've provided step-by-step instructions to help you measure your door precisely and make sure you have enough clearance room for both the door and the opener in both open and closed positions.

Step 1

You should measure the width and height of the door opening, which is known as the "rough opening," to the nearest inch. This measurement will be roughly equivalent to the size of your door.

Step 2

Measure the space located to the left and right of the opening, which is known as the "side room." Typically, most vertical track systems need 3.75 inches of space on either side. However, in some cases, additional space, such as 5.5 inches, may be needed for certain systems.

how to measure a garage door

Step 3

Measure the space between the top of the door opening and the ceiling, which is commonly called "headroom." Generally, standard systems need a minimum headroom of 12 inches, and most automatic garage door openers require an extra 3 inches of clearance space.

Step 4

Measure the gap between the garage door opening and the back wall of the garage, also known as the "backroom." You'll need a backroom space equal to the height of the door plus 18 inches, and possibly more space depending on the opener installation requirements.

Conclusion

Choosing the right size garage door is essential in ensuring safety and convenience when using your garage. You have to consider factors like the size of your vehicle, space availability, and insulation preferences.

Understanding standard sizes, measurements, and combinations will help you pick what’s best for your particular needs. While you can always choose a custom option if your series of alternatives don't meet your expectations, it's vital to consider which garage door is best for you before making your final choice.

Knowing the exact measurements of your garage door is critical so that you can ensure that you are choosing the perfect fit for your opening. Large or small, it's essential to take into consideration many factors when making sure you get what's best for you!

If you'd like hands-on assistance during this process, our team at Safety Garage Door Repair & Installation is only a phone call away. Our friendly and dedicated team can work with you to ensure you choose the perfect garage door for your needs.

Ammar Hanafieh

Ammar Hanafieh

Following the family's trade, Ammar has been working in the garage door repair and installation industry since 2010. He brings his expertise via the excellent service and industry insights.
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