24x30 or 26x28... Opinions?

[timdhawk]

I'm going to be building a garage this summer and I'm limited on my width to still have room to drive between the house and the garage for back yard access. At 26ft wide I have about 12ft between structures. Can anyone who has more experience with garages tell me if there are any pros or cons with one size/shape over the other? I'll be doing auto/motorcycle work in it... thanks.

I should mention those 2 sizes are the two plans that I like... there are other sizes but not structuraly what im looking for...

 

[RustnGrease]

In my limited experience, i would recommend the 24x30, mostly due to the depth, the garage i'm currently in is approx 28Wx21L of usable space. I would trade 4' of width for 9' of depth anytime. Mostly due to the fact that when i need to work on my truck, it's too cramped as in too short to comfortably walk around. A car/lt truck is usually at maximum 7' or so wide, its the length that varies. With the extra depth you can have shelving, work benches and tool boxes along one side wall, plus the back wall and still have plenty of room. Best of Luck!

 

[Moss]

I agree go with the depth. My previous garage was 24' deep and with a work bench on the end wall I had to pull trucks in on an angle. I built my new garage same width 58' long. I think you will be more comfortable with 14' between structures as well.

 

[AMCguy]

I'd go 26' wide. 28' depth will still give you enough room for a long wheelbase vehicle and a workbench area at the back of the garage. The plus side is you will have the extra 2' of width that will allow things like shelves or cabinets along the side wall. Sometimes stuff just accumulates there. It's nice if there is actually room for it and for you to still work and get around.

Are you thinking double wide door or two singles? Double wide allows you to pull right into the middle of the garage if you ever wanted to. Plus it allows more wall space on either side or the door.

 

[flingwing1969]

I'm doing a 32 x 50 with 16' shops along both sides - I kind of like that size myself. But, if that won't work on your place, ditto the other two comments, length over width.

 

[YukonXL04]

I'm getting ready to build a 24' X30' myself. At some point I will have a 2 post lift and a boat in there. And I think it's going to be tight between the lift post and the boat... but 24 is as wide as I can go, so I made it extra deep to have room behind the boat for a work bench. If it's just cars and trucks in your garage, then the 24x30. But if your gonna have a boat and a lift, or 2 lifts then go wider

 

[justanengineer]

My current garage is 26' wide and I wouldnt want any less width. With a workbench along both walls my daily S10 and her project, non-moving 68 Mustang have ~3' aisles on each side of them and in between, not enough for me to work comfortably or move/park vehicles in/out regularly IMO. Luckily we're both pretty limber and nothing is parked inside unless its being worked on. Ive had a spare S10 bed in next to the Mustang on a stand for awhile, and when working on the Mustang we normally roll it against one bench, largely working on her car from one side. Forget about lifts with posts until you get at least 30' wide.

I'd go 26'x28', you probably wont want to put much at the back of the garage even at 30' deep if youre pulling things in/out regularly or have a full size vehicle. I had a 22' wide garage at my last rental house, I looked at it as a large single bay after my tools and machines were moved in. JMO as well but go-jacks for easily moving vehicles sideways are worth their weight in gold in these small garages if youve got a decent amount of tools to fit in otherwise.

 

[stk-snd]

Hi all new to this site. I am in the same boat...Getting plans and Prices for a garage. I am thinking of going 26' wide by 34' deep with 10 foot walls and a 5x12 scissor cealing joyce’s. I would like a lift to work on vehicles.