garage door questions

[longez]

First post - glad to have found this great web board! We're just starting a new home in NW Montana and I'm trying to size the garage doors. We are building an attached 3 car garage & the architect has spec'd a 18x8 double & a 9x8 single doors. We have two large Ram trucks and a mid-size SUV and wondering if we should use 20x8 and 10x8 doors instead? I need to make a decision quickly as the footings will be poured in the next 2 weeks - and I need to order 2' wider trusses if we upsize the doors.

1. Is 20' an oddball size that will limit my door choices or put me in commercial doors instead of resi?
2. Wifey wants wood carriage type doors - what's the downside besides $$ ?
3. Recommendations for high quality door manufacturer?

We're building in podunk so there aren't any dealers within 75 miles.

thanks

longez

 

[LB-1911]

Northwest Door offers 20 ft doors.
http://www.northwestdoor.com/assets/brochures/residential/Therma_Classic_Brochure.pdf

Northwest Door
http://www.northwestdoor.com/

 

[p_mori7]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500.

My door is 10' wide, and I find it just right.

 

[Jrad235]

Just about every door manufacturer offers a 20' wide door. CHI Overhead Door is another.
http://www.chiohd.com/

I would not get wood unless you like re-painting/staining them every year or so, they are a lot of work to keep in good shape.

The 9' height is a little oddball, but I wouldn't turn it down. 7' and 8' are standard.

The quality depends on what pattern door you are looking for. NW has some REAL high end custom carriage overlays, but I wouldn't buy their mid-grade. CHI has excellent doors if you buy an off-the-shelf design. Amarr also makes some good stuff.

 

[jstroede]

If you go for a raised panel steel type door, I recommend going 8'9". From most manufacturers, that is going to be five 21" sections instead of six 18" sections. I personally don't like the look of all 18" sections.

Wood doors, especially in that size, are EXPENSIVE. Especially in that 18' or 20' wide door, I would recommend against it. They are just so heavy, and a ton of upkeep.

There are many different carriage type designs in steel doors. I would look into those if that is the look you are going for. There are also doors out there from most manufacturers that offer a painted woodgrain look as well to make them look even more like wooden carriage doors.

John

 

[longez]

Oops, I just checked the plans and the doors are spec'd at 18x8 & 9x8; not 9' high - OP corrected. I'll contact the suggested door manufacturers; NW's website has nice doors! I'm not a fan or wood doors; I'll figure a way to talk the Misses out of wood. It sounds like 20x8 with a 10x8 single would be fine; thank you!

longez

 

[longez]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500.

My door is 10' wide, and I find it just right.

Thank you, we have two 2014 Ram 1500 crew cab Sports

 

[ford33]

A few questions the OP needs to answer.

What is the height of your vehicles?
Will an 8 foot high door provide 8 foot of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the door?
Will you lose an inch of height due to the step up in the concrete floor near the garage door to keep water from entering under the door?
If the garage floor is sloped up towards the back to allow for water to run off the floor will the vehicle still fit?

You realistically only get one shot at selecting the garage door size and opening height so measure twice and select once.

 

[Rookie2]

I would double check the depth also, crew cabs are a bit longer. What if you trade them in later on ?

 

[longez]

I would double check the depth also, crew cabs are a bit longer. What if you trade them in later on ?

Thank you - the garage is 38' deep so I think we're okay no mater what

 

[longez]

A few questions the OP needs to answer.

What is the height of your vehicles?
Will an 8 foot high door provide 8 foot of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the door?
Will you lose an inch of height due to the step up in the concrete floor near the garage door to keep water from entering under the door?
If the garage floor is sloped up towards the back to allow for water to run off the floor will the vehicle still fit?

You realistically only get one shot at selecting the garage door size and opening height so measure twice and select once.

Wow - so many good questions! Roger that on measuring twice! I **really get it** there's a short window of time figure this out; the home's footing excavation has already begun but I've had the builder holding off on the garage while I figure this out.

 

[CNGsaves]

Sounds like very nice place you're building. Good luck.

If you would be so kind and snap a slew of PICTURES and start a build thread in the Gallery section of GJ, we would be grateful. All GJers LOVE new builds !!