20x28 or 22x26

[ddaiga]

Hi everybody,

I was hoping to get some general input about what dimensions to build my new garage. Zoning in my neighborhood limits my square footage to 576. I have a deep lot with limited frontage, so I was thinking of a deep and narrow garage (rather than 24x24). Does anyone have advice/opinion on which dimensions are more usable? I am leaning toward 20x28 so that I can have a deeper work area in the back. Will that limit my ability to open car doors with a 20 foot width?

Thanks,

DD

 

[8man]

20' is pretty narrow for two cars side by side. If you did an 18' garage door you wouldn't have much wind lateral support in the 1' on either side of the garage. If wind is not a problem for you, then that size door would help you get two cars in it. However, my opinion would be to go with the 22 x 26.

 

[beakie]

go measure your vehicles with doors open, add a foot or so for future vehicles and go from there.

I would prefer longer than wider so you can have a 3rd vehicle in the back middle to work on... but that's me.

also, anythought of having a carport on the front, with a sidewall of lattice for privacy and keep weather to minimum?
since you have a long lot, it wouldn't affect frontage, should let you slip the square footage limit, while still providing cover for vehicles. Then if need be pull one in to work on it, or both if weather is too much.

 

[ovscrider]

22 no doubt, narrow garage ***** if you have a vehicle with any width and 2 9' doors which is the min I would do will go better on a 22 wide.

 

[themiller]

I'll be in the 20x28 camp - I love the room at the back of my garage. Also, be sure to have them make the back 8 feet (or whatever workshop area) level so your tools/projects stay put, then slope the rest for drainage. Best way to use a 20x28 - back one car in so you can share the center line for driver door opening and let people out of the car before getting into the garage.

 

[themiller]

Forgot to mention, with the isle up the middle you can also get snowblower/lawnmower out through the garage door more easily than having to move a car out of the way.

 

[shooting4life]

I have an 18x23 and I hate how narrow it is. I could only put one car in it, well, at least when my **** is not in the way

 

[jeepinjz]

Mine is 20 x 25 depth seems to work and width depends on what you have along the walls tools/bench/etc to be able to open doors and get around

 

[John in OH]

You need to provide more info!!! For instance:

1) Where are you located (add to your profile)?
2) What kind of vehicles do you own, or hope to own?
3) What other toys do you own ... motorcycle? go cart?
4) What type of work do you mostly do ... interior detailing? engine/****** work?
5) Do you intend to store any other stuff in the garage ... lawn care equip? kids toys? snowblower? wife's flower potting stuff? etc.?
6) Will this garage have a second floor?

 

[pattenp]

I'd go with the 22' X 26'. I speak from experience, not just from a gut feeling.

 

[Morrison]

Mine is 24x24 and I think it's barely wide or deep enough. Those would be my bare minimums for a garage to park two cars.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I'd go with the 22' X 26'. I speak from experience, not just from a gut feeling.

Same here. I built a 20x26, and a 22x26 would be a nice size.

 

[G McKay]

If I had the choice, I'd make it wider than longer. It is nice to be able to open the car doors as far as possible. Having to squeeze in and out of a car is a hassle in my book.

 

[npp]

Go with the 22,you can't have it too wide.Mine is 22x24,wish it was 24x24.

 

[gatchel]

I have the same zoning issues here except for 500 sqft. It just so happens that there is no limit to being able to build a garage addition once the project is done. Maybe this would help you decide if your zoning was the same.

I would opt for a narrower and deeper garage so that you can add on to it in the future if your zoning allows.

I built a 20x25 and it has a toolbox on the right, shelving cabinets on the left and it is a very tight fit when we happen to park 2 cars in the garage. I can back my work truck in on the one side and pull the wife's car in but it is very tight. I can't get in to the work truck without pulling out the wife's car first.

This hasn't been much of an issue because we only do this when they are calling for a **** load of snow. It makes clearing the driveway (and cars off) much easier.