Opinions - Two Overhead Doors vs Three

[kwright]

Looking for opinions on my two building options, specifically two overhead doors versus three:

Building usage: 36' long x 28' deep. I do vintage motorcycle repair and restoration. This space is intended to allow for pursuit of this hobby as well as allow for a maybe-someday restoration of an antique tractor (something I have always been interested in doing). I do minimal automobile work, mostly preventative maintenance on the family cars. This will be a heated (radiant) and finished space.

By question: My builder has advised me that though three doors are possible, it will be a bit tight. He has suggested I consider going to two doors, making each door wider by one foot. This will allow for a more comfortable fit of the doors and still allow for storage space for motorcycles.

Hence, the two different layouts – which, by the way are only for illustrative purposes and are not to scale (I hope the drawing isn’t too small to be viewed).

Also note, though it may seem like an easy solution, making the building longer is simply not an option, for several reasons. I have to make due with 36 feet.

Any and all opinions are welcome in terms of the two options.

Thanks…

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Go with the two wider doors. Its a pain to get vehicles thru narrow garage doors, especially SUVs and pickups. While you might not need to, the next guy probably will, and you always need to think about the practical and sell able issues. I think you will appreciate having some "shop" space off to the side for workbenches parts washer, shelves for parts or cabinets, etc. You may not want all of it on the back wall or there may not be space.

Charles

 

[dxdexter]

Its hard to see the door sizes in your drawings, but I would prefer two 12' doors unless I had three separate vehicles to place in the garage then I would go with three doors. As Charles stated the extra room to the side is great for your gear.

 

[kwright]

Its hard to see the door sizes in your drawings, but I would prefer two 12' doors unless I had three separate vehicles to place in the garage then I would go with three doors. As Charles stated the extra room to the side is great for your gear.

I was afraid of that - drawings being difficult to see.

The two-door option door size is 10' wide, versus the three-door version which has 9' wide doors.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with the 3 nine foot wide doors.
I just like the flexability of being to have some open and some not.
If the weather is good, open up everything, If it is bad open what you need to get the fumes out, but keep everything else protected.
You are not talking about anything that needs wide doors with the kind of work you do.
It will cost you more. You are buying and installing 3 doors instead of 2, but you can open what you need to, and no more, when you want to.

 

[rodnok1]

With only a couple feet between the doors you'll hate it No room to work around vehicle if you have anything in the other bay, plus opening car doors *****. I would only put two doors in since it's only 36' wide, 3 doors 27'+man door at 3' plus door jambs room for tracks...you're outta room, they'd be no room for anything at the one end. I would actually go out and lay the garage out with sticks, mark the doors and if you can pull your cars into those areas, if not mark size of cars out too, then make a choice. It will look diff when laid out.

 

[nova65ss]

Three doors will cost more initially and will need three openers instead of two. More when repair time comes as well.

 

[boiler7904]

Since you work with motorcycles, I'd go with the two wide doors. They'll let you back a trailer in partially if it's raining to load / unload assuming that you go with a tall enough door. I'd definitely go with 8' tall doors at a minimum - maybe higher since you might restore a tractor someday.

 

[SteveL]

MY garage is about the same width as yours and I have a 16' & an 8'. I like the fact that there is about 6'-7' on the left side and 2-3' on the right for stuff like a lawn mower, trash cans, work bench, etc. Here's a pic that kinda shows the openings.

 

[Choppedsled]

Thats a tough one. I like both for different reasons, but really lean toward three doors. I've just started a 24 X 44 and it will have three doors, a 10X10 and two 9X10's, with a 12ft space on the end for welding / tools etc. I love to be able to open up a door right where I'm working during nice weather. But it's really personal preference. If your going to stay there who cares what someone else thinks. Do it your way. And if I were looking at a house to buy the size and quantity of doors in the shop wouldn't be much of a deciding factor in my decision. My neighbor has a 24 X 36 with three 9' doors and he loves it, I like it too. Have fun !

 

[PAToyota]

I went the route of two doors with work space off to the one side without a door. For my use, I like it set up that way.

 

[Wardrum]

I vote for 2 wider doors and the work space to the side. I have 10' x 9' doors and it is so much easier to move things in and out of the garage, especially trailers and SUVs and/or pickups.

If you do decide to have 3 doors, however, I would try to move the walk door to the side if possible to provide a little more space between the doors.

 

[arbee]

I went with one 18' and one 9'. I wanted to use the double space for 2 vehicles on a day to day basis but be able to use it for one car for repair work and have lots o' room.

 

[kwright]

Thanks everyone, for your thoughts and photos. After considering everything, comments, the pros & cons along with my intended usage, I've decided to go with two wider doors.

 

[MustangRick]

I think you chose right. I have 3 11' doors and the third one has not been opened in years. All it does is waste heat.