Wide door vs. two small doors

[PCO6]

I manage land development projects and part of my job involves working with Architects in producing Urban Design and Architectural Control Guidelines. The basic goal is to create a common vision for the community which is to be implemented by several house, commercial, industrial, institutional, etc., builders. We prepare them for our builders and the municipal Councils approve them.

In new subdivisions, the current thinking for single family homes with 2 car garages is to go with 2 garage doors. Three car garages would have 3 doors. This is strictly for appearance reasons. It's a little off topic but detached garages are also not popular amongst new home buyers. They want to get in and out of their car without having to go outside because ... it's cold up here.

Personally, I disagree on both accounts. I like a double door simply because I find it to be more versatile in moving things in and out and a rear yard detached garage makes for a good shop and it allows for a lot more parking.

 

[Bad Jackson]

I like TWO!!! Not only does it look nicer (you may have to sell one day), but it defines each space.

It does depend on overall size of garage, also. Like Steevo said, you need ample space on all sides.
I have 2 doors, two side by side and I put in a header opposite one so I can add a third one day, and have a drive through bay.
With two, you have space in between that can either be a PRO or a CON. For me, I its a PRO! I store my 4 wheeler in the mid and am ready to plow from either door.
I vote 2!!!

 

[AP300C]

This is much harder with two doors ...

Garage door is 18 x 8

 

[Shalikp]

One big one, definitely.

 

[Brad1234]

My old house had a 16' door. My new house has an 18'. If you have room for an 18' just forget about the 16'. You will cuss yourself everytime you use a 16 knowing that you could have had the 18. My workshop has 10' wide doors, 9' sounds a little narrow. Something to think about. Also, make sure you go with 8' or higher over the common 7'. When I built the price was the same.

 

[Gregory M]

I have a 10' and a 20' door on my garage if I were you i would go for the bigger door eaiser to drive through.

 

[shannonw]

two looks much nicer.

Consider though this case...i needed to pull a boat into a driveway on a slope...could be anything i suppose. To do it so it would be pointing up and drain rain while i worked on it. I had to pull into the garage with the tongue couple feet from the door as the boat was as long as the driveway, drop it, then pretty much do 100 back and forth to get my truck out of the garage. Not a big deal if no slope or you have a long drive way =)

Also my mom has a double....i've replaced a side mirror like twice so far...keep in mind who will be parking there. nice big 3 car is best option with a large double and 1 single.

 

[LoRollinLS]

I'm glad this topic came up. I hate that a small 20x24 garage with one 16' door is considered a "two car" garage. I liked the fact that a few people mentioned how much easier it is to get large items into a larger 16' or 18' door. I had never looked at it that way. But I do agree that two smaller door define each side of the garage. When I upgrade from my one car garage I will definitely keep in mind that if I go with a large door it will be no smaller than 18'. And if I have two smaller doors they will be no narrower than 9' with a 24' wide garage. Thanks for the help as well guys.

 

[shoot summ]

Just skimmed over all of the posts, here is my .02.

I didn't have a choice, my '50's house has 3 8 foot doors on it, not sure how they ever got cars of the '60's in there, it must have been really tight. For my use(mostly shop/parking wife's small car) 3 doors actually works very well. Through different variation I have never made it so all 3 doors had to open. At one time I only used 2, and now I only use the one the wife's car goes in and out of. The advantage here is that I have 16' of "wall space" that is very useful in my small space. I've gone as far and hanging things on the non-opening doors, I don't miss opening them at all.

 

[tomshep]

My old garage was a single 18' door. My current home has two 9' doors. I HATE the single doors. Hard to back in. Wife has to watch mirrors coming in/backing out. Prior owner hit the center column. 2 openers to fail. 2 doors to replace.

Go with an 18' if at all possible. Remember to give yourself adequate room to open the car door.

Tom