Garage Door Size

[Gunslinger99]

I have been searching around this board for suggestions on the size of the door going into the house from the garage. It seems like this type of door is called the 'man' door? The house we are getting ready to build has a 2'8" door for the one into the house and a 3'0" door for the one going out of the garage to the side of the house.

I've read a couple of posts saying go 3'2" or 3'6" on these 'man' doors. Is this what I should look at doing and why? I am thinking of trying to go to a 3'0" door for the interior one but not sure what going bigger on the exterior 'man' door will buy me as I can just open the overhead door if I need to get something bigger in there, right??? What size of door is recommended for these two doors???

Also, the overhead double garage door is 16' wide by 8' tall. Is this adequate? It will be where the wife and I park our daily drivers. One midsize and one compact car. Seems like it will be fine but would like some opinions on this, please.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bear]

I would go with at least a 36" door. The only 36" door we have is the front door so replacing the refer was a chore as both the hall and the rear door are 30".(had to take the door off) If you are fine with everything going in and out the front door then it does not matter.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A 36" passage door is a good size, but anything larger than that starts to look weird and it's probably a special order. Also, remember that you'll have that big wide door swinging into the interior space and taking up room.

I can move the lawn mower and my motorcycles through a 36" door without problems (although the bikes are a little tight.)

 

[five0jo]

Not to highjack the thread, but does the door have to swing into the garage, or can it open to the outside?

 

[Gary S]

A 16x8 garage door is almost overkill for today's tiny cars. Even a 7' high door works just fine for my old full size pickup from the early 80s with a topper on it. You should be very happy with a 16x8.

 

[nate379]

Quite the opposite. Sure a car can fit under a 7ft door with no trouble, but many trucks are really tight to fit. Granted the OP doesn't have a truck right now, but why limit what can go in the garage?

My folks have a 7ft door in the garage they built about 20 years ago and one truck they had they would have to shovel the snow near the door otherwise it would raise the truck enough to hit the door. The new garage my Dad built in 08 had 9ft doors. He has a small 4x4 tractor that with the cab on an 8ft door would have been tight.

A 16x8 garage door is almost overkill for today's tiny cars. Even a 7' high door works just fine for my old full size pickup from the early 80s with a topper on it. You should be very happy with a 16x8.

As far as the people door, a 36" door is what I'd consider a standard width door. 42" door is great if you have a wheelchair, but otherwise I think it looks odd.

 

[ymerej]

A 16x8 garage door is almost overkill for today's tiny cars. Even a 7' high door works just fine for my old full size pickup from the early 80s with a topper on it. You should be very happy with a 16x8.

Although my tallest vehicle is ~6' high, I still went with the 16'x8' door. You never know what you or a future owner may want to park in the garage, and having that extra foot of height lets you have a taller truck possibly even a small boat fit in the garage.

One thing I've seen others on this board do that is smart (although I did not do it myself) is to put the header beam at the top of the wall, and then have framing under it. This lets you install a taller door at a later date without having to make structural changes/ provisions just to raise the header beam higher.

 

[rodnok1]

Anything under a 36" door ***** period. Even for the interior, it never fails, big furniture, small door and tight hallway. Go at least 36" for exterior doors, 99% of mowers and the like will fit through it, the larger doors do get expensive and the cheapo hinges they put on wear out. I agree with 8' high door, my f350 barely fits in a 7' door.

 

[OldCarGuy]

Although a 7' high door would be high enough to clear most pickup's and SUV's, even if they have a roof rack. Though if you live in a snow climate, you'll have to keep the snow clear in front of the door to clear. However if you park two full sized vehicles inside, I'd recommend an 18' wide door. Just makes life a lot easier. Particularly if someone is not the best driver...

I replaced an existing 16' wide by 7' high door in my modern car garage with an 18' by 8'. Well worth the amount of time and effort that it took me! But I park a 3/4 ton Chevy Avalanche next to a Cadillac Escalade in there.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

The garage door will work at 7' high unless you have a 4WD Expedition with the towing package and roof rack...... They will also not fit thru an 8' wide door if you need to enter at an angle. Wound up with 9' wide by 8' high doors and pretty much anything can get into the garage now. You don't want to know what that cost to fix....Replacing the truck would have almost been cheaper.

As for the man doors, every exterior door at the house is 36" wide. I also made every interior door entering a room 36" wide. The only doors that are less are closet/pantry doors. I also made the stairs 4' wide and every hallway is 4' wide. Most people forget that furniture, washing machines, driers and the like need to be moved in (and out). It's a LOT easier when you have the room.

Just something to think about if you are building from scratch.

 

[Gary S]

One thing I've seen others on this board do that is smart (although I did not do it myself) is to put the header beam at the top of the wall, and then have framing under it. This lets you install a taller door at a later date without having to make structural changes/ provisions just to raise the header beam higher.

I did that in my garage. My 7' doors are plenty today, but I have a false header at the 7' level for my 7' door. With a few hours of work, I can get rid of that and move up to the true 8' header and switch doors. I'm pretty sure I could do it myself in less than one day, removing the 7' door and installing a 8' one if I ever need it.

 

[blkhonda1991]

Like most have said, there really isnt a need to make the door exiting your garage larger than 36" unless you are constantly moving things that dont fit through a 36" door. Really its your decision when it comes to door sizing and it depends on what you plans are for the space

 

[Scout Driver]

If you have ever moved furniture, appliances, etc. through a 30-32" door, then you know the value of a 36" door! Don't go any smaller than 36"! The extra couple inches make all the difference in the world.

Scott

 

[BPJOOP93]

36" minimum. just my.02.

 

[Jeffksf]

On the garage door I went with a 18x8 and am very happy I did. The added 2' of width is awesome when both vehicles are parked in it and you need to get the lawnmower(gas grill, snowblower, etc.) out around the cars. Not to mention when pulling the cars in and having the added clearence.
Keep in mind that parking lot spaces are typically striped 9' wide

 

[ket-tek]

I agree with the above, go 36" for any exterior doors.. You will appreciate it later.

I did all 36's in my new house except for pantry/linen/closets. 36" is wheelchair accessible too, so it could help sell the home in the future if by chance someone buying happens have a handicap family member or if it will be their (or your) future retirement home.

36" from the garage to the house has been nice for bringing in piles of groceries and taking out trash bags and other random stuff, it is much better without dragging stuff against the jambs..

Go 8'h on the garage door you will be happy, fullsize vans and big suvs can just skim a 7ft. 16'w is standard 2 car, and is usually just fine, 18' and 20' are usually special order and quite expensive, though more room is usually always better. I do see 14' for a 2 car on some spec homes but it's a bit to small unless you have 2 hondas or the like, but I wouldn't ever go 14'.

Cheap upgrades now, they may not raise the value any, but could make it a more attractive sale to others later.

 

[BPJOOP93]

my garage doors are 16x8 &9x8 deffinitly worth it to go with the 8' high. i agree with jeffksf about the 18x8 another thing you learn along the way.

 

[brassspike]

I have 9 foot wide and 8 foot high doors on the attached and my F 1 fitty mirrors are a tight fit. Wife won't back it out. I'm doing 9 foot high and 12 foot wide doors on the new detached. That should do it!

 

[Door-Man]

7' high is the industry standard for garage doors, but personally I like an 8' high. Most likely you will never run into an issue with 7' but hey bigger the better right?

 

[Ezzie]

10' W x 8' H is my vote. This way you can get an F350 DRW in with room to clear the mirrors and hips, etc. and still be able to get around the sides.

 

[Ign]

At my previous employer we had something noticeably wider than a 36" door and it was TOTALLY SWEET. If I ever build another shop it'll have doors in the 42" range. This door was right next to a bay (garage) door and it was still SWEET. There are plenty of times when you still just want to open a personal door, esp if you're trying to keep hot or cold air in the bldg.

When my shop was built I spec'd the personal doors must open OUT. The builder was a bit baffled as to why, but he did it. I'd never have them open in if I can help it. I also crammed the personal doors as close to the corners as possible; means they eat up less wall space and it's simply efficient use of space.

 

[Gunslinger99]

10' W x 8' H is my vote. This way you can get an F350 DRW in with room to clear the mirrors and hips, etc. and still be able to get around the sides.

This is my dream truck that I would love to own some day. How about a 9' W x 8' H door with a 3' space on each side. That would make the garage 15' W x 30' L. That should be plenty of room for the F350, right?

 

[Gunslinger99]

At my previous employer we had something noticeably wider than a 36" door and it was TOTALLY SWEET. If I ever build another shop it'll have doors in the 42" range. This door was right next to a bay (garage) door and it was still SWEET. There are plenty of times when you still just want to open a personal door, esp if you're trying to keep hot or cold air in the bldg.

When my shop was built I spec'd the personal doors must open OUT. The builder was a bit baffled as to why, but he did it. I'd never have them open in if I can help it. I also crammed the personal doors as close to the corners as possible; means they eat up less wall space and it's simply efficient use of space.

What's wrong with the personal doors opening in? I can't think of a garage I have been in that has the personal doors open out. I am not sure I understand what the advantage is...??

 

[nate379]

I have never seen a exterior door that opens out. That would be weird! Not to mention if it snowed a ton, you'd have to climb out a window!

 

[nate379]

If that truck is a crew cab long bed, it would take every bit of that 30 feet if you want to have a bit of walking room in front and in back of it.

This is my dream truck that I would love to own some day. How about a 9' W x 8' H door with a 3' space on each side. That would make the garage 15' W x 30' L. That should be plenty of room for the F350, right?

 

[merlinpro]

My personal door on my garage (36") opens out...why?

If I park tight to the wall, which can happen in certin situations, the door will not open into a vehicle.

Also, i have 2 steps down into my garage, so it makes sense that i dont open the door into me as i try to leave my garage!

And have you ever tried to kick in a door that opens out!

 

[Kevin54]

I have been searching around this board for suggestions on the size of the door going into the house from the garage. It seems like this type of door is called the 'man' door? The house we are getting ready to build has a 2'8" door for the one into the house and a 3'0" door for the one going out of the garage to the side of the house.

I think the original poster wants to know about the door BETWEEN the house and garage. Not garage overhead door size or the man door going out of the garage into the yard.

To answer the question, you want no less than 36" doors. Main reason being the size of appliances and furniture. i have seen older houses (my sister had one) that every door was 2'8" and she could not get a couch into the house. Also if you are having the house built, consider if someone has an accident and (God forbid) but needs to get through a doorway with a wheelchair. Also all bedroom and bathroom doors, I would make sure are at least 36" minimum

 

[Nostraquedeo]

I think the original poster wants to know about the door BETWEEN the house and garage. Not garage overhead door size or the man door going out of the garage into the yard.

To answer the question, you want no less than 36" doors. Main reason being the size of appliances and furniture. i have seen older houses (my sister had one) that every door was 2'8" and she could not get a couch into the house. Also if you are having the house built, consider if someone has an accident and (God forbid) but needs to get through a doorway with a wheelchair. Also all bedroom and bathroom doors, I would make sure are at least 36" minimum

"Also, the overhead double garage door is 16' wide by 8' tall. Is this adequate? It will be where the wife and I park our daily drivers. One midsize and one compact car. Seems like it will be fine but would like some opinions on this, please."

I think he is asking about both, the overhead door and the connecting door. I agree with the wheelchair thing. About 15 years ago, my neighbor's daughter was in an accident that put her in a wheelchair. I remember helping him retrofit almost all the doors with 36" doors. When I built my current home 10 years ago, I made sure all doors that a person could pass thru were 36" wide.

 

[Ezzie]

If that truck is a crew cab long bed, it would take every bit of that 30 feet if you want to have a bit of walking room in front and in back of it.

I have a 2006 F350 DRW crew with long bed (my wife affectionately refers to it as "Monster") and it is 22' bumper to bumber. Since the 2 car garage is only 20' x 22' with 7' doors, the truck gets parked in the shop only (60'x100' with 12'W doors).

 

[Brad1234]

36" doors are nice if you can afford the space inside. The only 36" door I have is the front door. You need at least one to move furniture & appliances. As for the overhead door I built my house in 1996 & the 7' & 8' tall door was the same price. I would go 8' even if its a little more. 7' just seems real low to me. My last house had a 16' wide door & in my current house I had an 18' door put in and absolutely love it. If you pull in the garage favoring the side a little there is plenty of room in between so the kids won't be banging the other car with the door.

 

[tinman4840]

Why would you need a 36"door when you have a garage door just wanted to know

 

[Gunslinger99]

Convenience mainly. Allows for entry to the garage without opening the overhead doors. Especially if you don't have an external keypad. You can give a house sitter the key to the man door and they won't need to use your main entrance. Also, can be easier and quicker to walk outside through the man door then waiting for the overhead to open. The garage door openers I have installed have a lock feature so the doors can't be opened while on vacation or for other reasons. Little extra security there. In this case you can lock down the overhead doors and only allow entry through the man door. Hard to steal a car when the overhead door won't open.

I'm sure there are other reasons but these are my main reasons for having a man door.