Optimum distance between garage doors?

[deepstuff]

Hi,
Any opinions on the Optimum distance between garage doors and between the doors and side of building? I'm considering a 32' wide building with two 10-foot wide doors with 4' between them and between the doors and sides of building? Is this a waste or not enough?

 

[CNGsaves]

Depends on what all you've planned for shop, as that spot between doors is good for a hanging heater, maybe an air compressor ?? Don't make it too small (cars inside too close together so may get door dings) or too large (wasted space) so likely sweet spot is 3.** to 5 feet . . . or as you desire.

Play around with planning software like Sketch-Up for all your equipment and vehicles to get idea of expected layout.

Good luck with your new shop, and planning it out how YOU want it !!

 

[rieferman]

When I was designing buildings for customers, we'd start by suggesting 2 feet between overhead doors. When you figure that most cars are about a foot smaller than the OHD opening on both sides, and then add that 2 feet buffer, it gives you the room you need to open your car doors without hitting another parked car.

This is an efficient way to go - there are potential circumstances where you might want more space between.

For example, if you undersize your OHD's, have huge vehicles, or want the zone between the bays to be inhabited by work tools, then this equation changes. But I usually recommended upsizing the doors as a first step as in most spaces, edges of the shop were better for equipment than islands in between parking zones.

edit: With your plan for 10 foot wide doors, I'd personally recommend 2 feet between the doors, and 2 feet between edge of doors and side wall. This maximizes the room you have at the other end of the shop for a work zone, without hurting your ability to walk around vehicles or open doors while parked.

 

[kd3pc]

At least 4' from the sides of the garage or any doors, so that the space is not wasted and there is still some room to actually open the door of the car, if you are expecting to work on it, in the garage.

A minimum of 2 feet between the two doors. I would suggest 4' is better, if the budget/zoning will allow.

 

[Jagmandave]

No rieferman has it right, if these were 8 ft wide doors I'd also go with the 4 ft space, unless there's something specific you want to put between the doors that's wider than 2 ft.

I agree it does depend on how you're going to lay out the garage and how you intend to use it.....lift placement etc......but rather than having the doors centered on the available space, having them to one end allows you to use the other end's space better - again depending on what you're going to be doing in there.

I'd go 4 on the end, 2 in between and 6 on the other end myself. That will also leave you room for a man door on either end.

 

[mitusa]

I'm with jagman....

Just a suggestion, get your cars out and see how far apart you have to park them to be comfortable with opening the doors. If you have big cars or a big F-150, you'll need more room between the doors.

I have an Avalon and Tacoma and I only put two feet between nine foot garage doors; I have plenty of space as long as I don't try to open doors on both vehicles at the same time.

I would leave more room at opposite ends to put maybe a rack for storing yard tools or put them up front of the vehicles.

HTHs

 

[Steevo]

My attached garage has about 5' between the two doors (one 16' and one 8').
I put a 36" wide pallet rack in between them, and it works out very well for both room to exit a vehicle and not wasting space on simply "door clearance".