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Is 24x24 too small?

Dadillac

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Apr 14, 2017
Messages
257
Ive got a 22 deep by 24 wide. What I wouldn't give for that extra 2 feet of depth. But my philosophy is any garage is better than no garage

Don
 
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J-Rob

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Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
2
Mine's about 24x24, and it came with the house attached. We park 2 cars in it, I have a small wood burner in a corner, several cabinets, a long workbench on the back wall, and lots of "stuff" lined up on one side wall. If it didn't always have 2 cars in it, it would be perfect. Make it bigger if you can.
 

mmb617

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Dec 5, 2010
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4,424
Location
PA
I don't really have a whole lot of room

Define not a whole lot of room. Only you know how much compromise would be required to go bigger, and whether it's worth it.

24x24 is certainly better than no garage at all, I can't see any possibility of debate on that point.

IMO the 24 ft width is going to be a bigger problem with the lift, than 24 ft depth will be unless you have extra long vehicles. If you only go 24 ft wide one of the lift posts will have to be really close to or probably up against a wall in order to park two cars and that's awkward to work with but not impossible.

If I were in your situation and could only expand in one direction I would add width.
 

Kelly Burns

Active member
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
44
Location
Owensboro, KY
I understand your situation.

I would have to agree with most everyone, go as big as you can. But here's my thought when this has come up before, Troy Trepanier, built a "Hot Rod of the Year" from HR Magazine, in a two car garage, Boyd Coddington built cars in an attached 2 car garage and a pretty famous guy in Ohio named Scott Sullivan, still builds cars out a two car garage. My point being, you can make it work if you have the desire and with a little storage and workspace layout creativity.
 

aaronrkelly

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
419
Location
southern Iowa
Ive got a 24x32 and work on everything in it. Built a truck, tractors etc.

Key is, I also have a good sized shed - 14x24 - that I keep my lawn mowers, yard tools, etc and it has a second level for off season house storage.

If I had to keep all THAT **** in my garage - no way.
 

MrMcJones

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Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
1
Location
Surprise Az
Build the largest you can afford. You can always add on later. Im building a shop garage now. Wanted a 30 X 40 but finances only allow for a 24 X 30. So what am I going to do say Im not going to build it?

Im just having it built and plan on expanding it later if possible
 
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Joelfke

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Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
1,837
Location
Mt Holly, NJ
im thinking i can add storage with a "second floor" where the lift isnt, but it'll be easier to see once its built. I will try to take pics and make a thread for that as ill be pretty excited.
 
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Notgrownup

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May 5, 2014
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5,843
Location
Snow Hill NC
I would personally go a bit deeper , 28’ x 24’ wide. I have 2 24x24 and I would love for my attached garage to be 28’ deep.
 

shaune

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Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
186
Location
La Ronge Sask
You build to what you can afford and fit, good heavens, 24 square is way bigger and better than you have right now right. Lots can be done in even single stall space. Good to go with high walls, that will provide a bigger feel.
 

andyvh1959

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Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
2,587
Location
Green Bay WI
I built my new garage 24x28, based on four foot increments, sized to keep the cost down too. Eight foot walls on top of two rows of 8" block along with scissor trusses gives it a taller big open feeling. But also 28 foot deep to at least allow for a fishing boat on a trailer in the garage, with some room behind it. Same for a snowmobile trailer or ATV trailer. None of those for me as this is my motorcycle shop garage. But I figure a slightly deeper garage is more marketable. For someone with cycles a person could park two cars in it, and sill have room to the side and in back for a workbench or cycle/ATV/lawn tractor-ZTR lift.

Someone could even install a two or four post lift in the center. With my Dakota pickup on a lift just below the ceiling would still provide almost six feet clear under the truck.

I'm no architect, but I have always been aware of size and proportions. A 24x24 garage will look like a box, unless some detail is added to the roof, as in overhangs, pitch, etc. I designed my 24x28 garage with a hip at each end, and the front hip includes a small gable detail with a small center peak over a small window. From the street it adds a lot of visual appeal. But also, since the garage is only 24' wide but with almost 10' high walls, a simple gable front with a low pitch would be odd looking to me. So I added a bit more roof pitch and front gable detail to break up the vertical aspect.
 
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stillnostrebor

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Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Messages
618
Location
SW Missouri
I built 3 really nice cars in a 12'x24' converted horse barn with a 6'x12' crib on the side for our tool boxes and bench. One was a 66 T-Bird restoration. You couldn't even open the doors all the way on it.

It was not ideal, but it was what we had. We had some really good times in that tiny shop.

I have a 30'x40'x12' clear now. It's better.:beer:
 
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Joelfke

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Mar 31, 2009
Messages
1,837
Location
Mt Holly, NJ
I built 3 really nice cars in a 12'x24' converted horse barn with a 6'x12' crib on the side for our tool boxes and bench. One was a 66 T-Bird restoration. You couldn't even open the doors all the way on it.

It was not ideal, but it was what we had. We had some really good times in that tiny shop.

I have a 30'x40'x12' clear now. It's better.:beer:

30x40 would be ideal. unfortunately my town won't allow it, more importantly, neither will my wife :lol_hitti
 

jetnow1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2016
Messages
511
Location
CT.
24 by 24 is fine for working on one vehicle, tight for restoration if body off or doing major body work. It is very tight if more than one vehicle will be in it while working. It does not leave much space around the vehicles for tools, storage etc. My garage is 24 by 30, the extra depth gives me room for a stairs to the second floor and my toolbox and compressor along the back, but I am always fighting the width for room to work. Of course what you are working on makes a difference also, my old chevy truck is a lot harder to work on than the better halves Miata.
 

stillnostrebor

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Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Messages
618
Location
SW Missouri
30x40 would be ideal. unfortunately my town won't allow it, more importantly, neither will my wife :lol_hitti

You'll be fine with 24square. That was really my point when I mentioned my first "shop". We adapt to the space we have. I built the 30x40 because I could afford to, and had the space. It is luxurious if you started in a 12x24, but not absolutely necessary. Technically I started under a shade tree, so it's all an upgrade:)
 
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