Why are tandem (or inline) garages less popular?

[Lelandwelds]

My favorite thing about a garage which resembles a two lane blacktop is the lack of headers over each door. A shorter span and fewer doors needed are big plusses for me. I picture longer term projects are kept deeper in the building. If I need more length (say, for a hitched trailer), it is available.

What are the minuses? Why are they unpopular?

 

[rockettgpw]

Oh Steve could you move the Camira I need to get the Torana out so I can get to the Commodore. Steve – I’ll have to get the keys to the Cortina if I’m gonna move that Camira. Darryl – Yeah watch the boat mate.


This is a quote from the classic Aussie movie "The Castle" when ever I see a gunbarrel garage I think of this scene and have a chuckle.
There are good points to your thinking re trailers and long term projects but they are probably unpopular because most people think they want to access each of the two cars easily. Depth of the building block would also be a consideration as a longer garage intrudes more into the back yard.
A mate who did hvac install with me a while ago built a 40'x 25' shop with a pass through drive in the long dimension so he could drive in and out with his trailer on for loading and security. He never drove through it, the back door just became the place for forgotten junk. Come to think of it most of his shop is just that.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Parking in front of cars is like kiss of death for weekend cars. I have a take home city vehicle which needs to be parked inside. I park it next my sports car. I also have a new full size truck that doesn't fit inside. My wife would rather park her family Ford Flex in the driveway for easy in and out driving. Don't forget the commuter car that I thought we would need, that also gets parked next to my truck. When I want to drive my sports car, I have disconnect the battery tender, roll up the cover and then play musical chairs with cars in the driveway, since I need a clear path for my work car. What I need is a five bay garage not a tandem.

Sad, but the last time I drove my sports car was to move it back so I could sweep the garage.

 

[stm317]

Because it's inconvenient for most people to have something that they want buried behind other big things that have to be moved.

If you build a wider garage, with doors on the long face and the short face, it can do both.

 

[kwyjibo]

I am in the process of adding about 20x16 to the back of our 2-car garage (lower left side of the image). Few reasons for the design:
- The addition will add enough length to park two cars in tandem. The idea is that the new space is for working on and housing a project.
- Even though I could have used more space, the addition is only a "1.5 car". I didn't want to add another complete spot because it would make a long wall facing the house that would feel too much like an alley. As you asked about in another thread, we're trying to match the style of the house and garage. If you know about mid-century modern houses, some (like the Eichlers in Calif.) have enclosed courtyards and we're trying to mimic that idea.
- The building will provide some privacy from the neighbor and help to create a courtyard because our house has large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the yard.
It may turn out that the tandem parking is a major pain, but I don't imagine needing to swap positions too frequently because neither of the cars that will be stored there will be daily drivers - that's what the 3rd spot is for.

 

[ryan77]

mine is deep and I love it, 64 deep 32 wide, I can get 3 cars wide and 3 cars deep, I can park my super cab long bed super duty with 18 ft car hauler in there hitched up no problem, I keep the projects in the back out of the way, the dailys in front, it would also be harder to steal my project cars when they are 2 cars deep, besides you need to start them all up every so often so the shuffle is no big deal.

 

[RVDan]

Mine is about 32 feet deep. The cars almost touch each other in the middle. Playing musical cars *****, especially when there's a freak snowfall and I need the Jeep that's in the back but my commuter can't get out of the way because of the snow.

 

[Falcon67]

Been there, had that. It's not bad if planned for. What we did during racing season was to unload one car into the inner section and back the trailer with the other car into the front section. If the front section was needed or the exit cleared, the trailered car was moved and parked off of the exit line. Total was about 46' deep x 16' outside, 20 inside.

At least one old pic

Found another

 

[rsanter]

Partly depends on what you are doing.
Anything that is less convenient is less popular.
I have to move a car to get another car out....
I have to move a car to get the top car off the lift
I have to move a car to get a piece of equipment out/in
Etc

 

[Farhan]

I've noticed they're becoming more popular as attached garages in new home builds. I understand the reasoning for not desiring it but for me it works out perfectly as the long/tandem spot ends up being the 'shop' area where the less-used vehicles can also be stored.

 

[tstaude]

I have a 25 x 45 deep, it works pretty well.
I have my lift up front, when I have a project on there is works nice as I can still pull in other cars to work on.
It is also very cool to be able to back the whole truck and trailer in and out of the weather, although I do not do that very often.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I've noticed they're becoming more popular as attached garages in new home builds. I understand the reasoning for not desiring it but for me it works out perfectly as the long/tandem spot ends up being the 'shop' area where the less-used vehicles can also be stored.

Partly depends on what you are doing.
Anything that is less convenient is less popular.
I have to move a car to get another car out....
I have to move a car to get the top car off the lift
I have to move a car to get a piece of equipment out/in
Etc

I am in the process of adding about 20x16 to the back of our 2-car garage (lower left side of the image). Few reasons for the design:
- The addition will add enough length to park two cars in tandem. The idea is that the new space is for working on and housing a project.
- Even though I could have used more space, the addition is only a "1.5 car". I didn't want to add another complete spot because it would make a long wall facing the house that would feel too much like an alley. As you asked about in another thread, we're trying to match the style of the house and garage. If you know about mid-century modern houses, some (like the Eichlers in Calif.) have enclosed courtyards and we're trying to mimic that idea.
- The building will provide some privacy from the neighbor and help to create a courtyard because our house has large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the yard.
It may turn out that the tandem parking is a major pain, but I don't imagine needing to swap positions too frequently because neither of the cars that will be stored there will be daily drivers - that's what the 3rd spot is for.

I wish I had computer skills.

Ok, I am learning some stuff here. Snow *****. I dont own enough cars. I need nicer cars.

I am picturing the deep spots as work space for all the non auto things I do. (Majority of free time spent on "other" work.) If it is auto related, it will be "waiting for the perfect NP 231" or "I still can't find that #*#^ short" and it WILL take a while. Or, it will be a loaded, hitched trailer (or RV) and everything has to move anyway. I want doors on both ends and have four acres to work with. ( Just need to fire up the chainsaw. And, haul in more road base.) If it snows here, I will be busy trying to roll a 1/4" blanket of the white stuff into a snowman.

Kwyjibo has found another version of "limiting the eyesore" from a garage that stands out. (Flips side of "closely matching" house style.) That wall step or break could really add interest or disguise the garage from street view. Its like one of those "architectural" touches the realtors always work into the ad copy.

No one has mentioned the joy they found in more of the expensive doors and higher construction costs.

 

[nh_yota]

Because wives.

 

[gungatim]

there were several of them in the neighborhood I grew up in. seemed to be popular in the 60's as they were all tri-level homes. double wide in front with a 3rd deep stall behind. living area above.

I think today people would rather have more living space (ie basement) than storage area that is tough to get to. the neighbors all seemed to be filled with junk they couldn't easily access.

 

[Lelandwelds]

.

I think today people would rather have more living space (ie basement) than storage area that is tough to get to. the neighbors all seemed to be filled with junk they couldn't easily access.

My place is solid pink dolomite below two feet. Shoring isnt even needed for excavations. Basements are unreasonably expensive. I periodically purge all junk. ( Wife and I seldom agree on definition of "junk".)

My perfect locacation is limited to about 30 ft wide. (24 is more manageable) I like 24 x 40 more than 24 x 24. ( I could go 24 x 100) If the leanto on each side doesnt get a door on the end, I can add another 20 to 40 feet of width split between both sides.

Because wives.

You sure have that cryptic "wife speak" down pat. Can I hear you say, " Well, if you dont know, I cant tell you!" ?

 

[TFerg]

I am forced to build a 4 car tandem garage because of lot size. Well, lot size and house placement and easement issues and septic field. I wouldn't build it otherwise due to everyone's stated concerns with getting more than 2 cars in and out easily. I am planning on winter/summer car parking spot rotation but I would still prefer 3 cars that can pull straight out.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I am forced to build a 4 car tandem garage because of lot size. Well, lot size and house placement and easement issues and septic field. I wouldn't build it otherwise due to everyone's stated concerns with getting more than 2 cars in and out easily. I am planning on winter/summer car parking spot rotation but I would still prefer 3 cars that can pull straight out.

I find that fascinating. So, a 3 x 2 garage would make you happy? Though harder, I have a max 30 ft width. I could ditch the 3 or 4 ft spaces I wanted for benches and bicycles and make it up from the leanto spaces.

I assumed any gunbarrel, tandem, stackem up garage wouldnt be popular regardless of width. I know more interest and plans are available for 3 car garages. Is a 3 car the "tipping point" for a dream garage?

 

[starbai]

I can clearly see why it wouldn't be popular. But due to lot size and setup, I'm strongly considering extending my 2 car garage backwards into the back yard. I'd really like to have a 2 wide, 3 car deep garage with the 3rd deepest row to house a lift or two.

I know its a pain to move 4 cars aroudn to get to the ones int he bck but Its something I'd be willing to live with.

Anyone else have a 2 car wide. 3 car deep garage they wanna show off?

 

[SteedaGT]

I have seen them pop up often here in Orlando with new construction. Personally, i'd love to have one. Park the woman's car on the short side, race car on the long side with the front open for a workshop.

Truck doesn't fit in the average garage anyways so it lives outside in front of the race car stall.

 

[fairway605]

I can clearly see why it wouldn't be popular. But due to lot size and setup, I'm strongly considering extending my 2 car garage backwards into the back yard. I'd really like to have a 2 wide, 3 car deep garage with the 3rd deepest row to house a lift or two.

I know its a pain to move 4 cars aroudn to get to the ones int he bck but Its something I'd be willing to live with.

Anyone else have a 2 car wide. 3 car deep garage they wanna show off?

I recently pushed mine out 28 feet into the back yard just like your talking about and attached it to the house with a enclosed breezeway and love it. I don't think there is a right or wrong here it's all about what works for you. I will try and get some pics posted soon.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

The only reason they are popular on newer homes is that the major home builders slice up lots to be narrow and deep to maximize their profit. I would never consider a tandem unless the total garage capacity was +1 over the number of cars I have to park. The way they build them here, I would never be able to pull a vehicle into the tandem spot and be able to walk around it.

 

[Ilikeike]

I much prefer my 3 car tandem over my old side by side with a normal sized 2 car door and the little 1 car door that relay works well for a riding lawnmower. My friends with side by side like my tandem better also.

Tandem I could fit my 21' wakeboard boat in the back,couldn't do that with the single door. then I turned the tandem area into a shop area,boat went in my RV parking since I had room on the side when I chose not to go with the side by side option when building. and now I still can pull a long quad cab full size truck in the garage due to the extra depth a tandem allows.Also went with an 8' tall garage door.

That tiny single door on the side by side is just a waste of wall space to me.

 

[Handyandy23]

Yeah, I think it all depends how you're going to use it. I have a 'standard' side by side 2 car garage, but one side is just a workshop area with my boxes, workbench, shelving, etc. I might be able to shoehorn a small car in that side in a pinch, but that's not what I'm using it for. So for me, if the workshop was at the back vs side by side it wouldn't make any difference. That obviously changes if you plan on parking 2 vehicles in it.

I don't personally see too many 'pros' for tandem, it would just come down to the space I have to build on. If resale is a concern then a standard side by side makes a lot more sense because most people aren't concerned with having a space for a workshop. But if this is your 'forever' garage then I say build the space to fit your own needs.

 

[Stumble]

Andy,

The advantage of a side by side as opposed to a tandem is the extra swing space. Sure you may use one side for a car and the other for a workshop, but from time to time being able to turn things around can be really nice. Or open up the whole area for a weekend while doing a finishing project. A 10' wide garage, no matter how long is still only 10' wide.

As an example, my boat is 18' long by 7.5' wide. Sure I could work on it in a 10x40. But no matter how I turn it I would still have to squeeze past it on either side. Put it in a garage the same sqft but 20x20 and even if its the same distance from the wall I can still walk past it on the other side unencumbered.

FWIW this works the same with a really wide garage but one stall deep. Eventually you will want to bring in something longer than the depth and you are stuck.

Personally I think as a garage gets further and further out of square it becomes less desirable for the same sqft. So it isn't that a side by side is inherently better its just that a standard bay is twice as deep as they are wide, so the initial addition should be to the side.

 

[klassenl]

I considered the 20x40 approach when I built my new garage. Wood shop at one end and garage for the minivan at the other. I was advised by those in the know that once you get that far "out of square" the cost per foot goes up. I would echo those that say a "standard" shape end up being overall more useful.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I much prefer my 3 car tandem over my old side by side with a normal sized 2 car door and the little 1 car door that relay works well for a riding lawnmower. My friends with side by side like my tandem better also.

Tandem I could fit my 21' wakeboard boat in the back,couldn't do that with the single door. then I turned the tandem area into a shop area,boat went in my RV parking since I had room on the side when I chose not to go with the side by side option when building. and now I still can pull a long quad cab full size truck in the garage due to the extra depth a tandem allows.Also went with an 8' tall garage door.

That tiny single door on the side by side is just a waste of wall space to me.

Thanks to GJ, I have discovered that my garage is really a shop. I use the two terms interchangeably but have had it pointed out they are very different. For me, a 30 X 40 is far, far more practical than a 34 X 34. Only the center portion needs the 12 ft+ ceilings. The lean to will be fine with less headroom and will "square" the footprint.

Most things I weld on or unload are longer than will fit in a 20 or 24 deep garage. The shop part rarely needs to make grocery store trips. Some of my projects are longer than long term. I do not need to empty the building daily or completely.

 

[Handyandy23]

Andy,

The advantage of a side by side as opposed to a tandem is the extra swing space. Sure you may use one side for a car and the other for a workshop, but from time to time being able to turn things around can be really nice. Or open up the whole area for a weekend while doing a finishing project. A 10' wide garage, no matter how long is still only 10' wide.

As an example, my boat is 18' long by 7.5' wide. Sure I could work on it in a 10x40. But no matter how I turn it I would still have to squeeze past it on either side. Put it in a garage the same sqft but 20x20 and even if its the same distance from the wall I can still walk past it on the other side unencumbered.

FWIW this works the same with a really wide garage but one stall deep. Eventually you will want to bring in something longer than the depth and you are stuck.

Personally I think as a garage gets further and further out of square it becomes less desirable for the same sqft. So it isn't that a side by side is inherently better its just that a standard bay is twice as deep as they are wide, so the initial addition should be to the side.

I definitely agree that the 'standard' side by side style garage likely has more advantages (which is why it is most popular). I think the main point is just that it depends how you use it. I have a 2-post car lift on my 'working' side so I don't necessarily have much swing room, since the one post is in the middle of the garage. With the workbench and things along the other wall, I likely only have 6 ft. left between the work benches and the middle post. It's plenty of room so I can work on a car on the hoist and take free swings without a wall in my way, but I can't exactly swing a long object around in the middle either.

Other posters that have longer trailers also need the extra length and obviously prefer their space longer and narrower (if they are limited on square footage). All depends on your usage.

I do agree though that an L-shaped garage might be ideal - that gives you one 'regular' bay and one longer one. Definitely gives you some options on how you can lay it out.

 

[Smrtpunk]

Depending on your property, sometimes a tandem is best to allow for a more usable back yard.

I built a 16*37 foot garage as it was the biggest I could build in my municipality without needing an engineer.

If I would have built it side by side, I would have had to pave a lot of extra driveway taking away from our nice sized yard. My workshop is in the back half, I even have a lift back there and enough space for tool boxes/work benches.

 

[machine_punk]

For me, it is perfect, but it is my workshop back there, not a car.

We have two garages across the front, then one tandem bay for my shop.

Kev