It can easily be said that not all garage doors are made equally. They come in a variety of materials, colors, insulation levels, quality, and functionality. When considering a new garage door, one of the first and most important questions involves the measurements. Here’s a guide to garage door sizes to help you along.
Some History
Did you know that the very first garage door was already too small? Henry Ford built his first motorized vehicle in the coal shed of a friend’s house. Once completed, he realized he’d built the car inside a building with a door too small to get the vehicle out of! He had to take a sledgehammer to one of the brick walls and create the first garage door to get the car out!
Garage Doors Today
Over the years since Ford’s impromptu door, two things have consistently happened in regard to size. First, like most parts of the home, garage door sizes have become more and more standardized. Mass production of doors has made it important for builders to come to a consensus on a few sizes so that it’s easier to find ready-made doors.
Second, doors have gotten bigger and bigger over the years, as well as more numerous per home. Cars, trucks, and SUVs in the US have all gotten taller, wider, and longer in recent decades. More families have multiple cars in their family as well, creating a need for two bays, three bays, and even more! Manufacturers have kept up with the evolving expectations of larger doors.
Typical Garage Door Sizes
Most garage doors now are in the 7’-8’ range for height and anywhere from 8’-20’ wide. The 20’ doors are usually for two-car garages that only have one door. While these are the standard sizes, you can also find smaller width doors is space is at a high premium. Some homeowners also use these smaller doors for things like golf-cart or motorcycle storage.
Determining The Measurements
If you have an open-air garage with no door, you’ll need to do measurements of the current opening. Obviously, you need the width and height of the opening, but make sure you also measure total ceiling clearance. Your door will need space above the top of the opening for the tracks to hold the garage door in line with the opening.
If your garage already has a door and you aren’t making any changes, simply measure the current door. You’ll need the width and height of the door, as well as the distance between the tracks. You may also want to measure the thickness of the door and decide if you want a thicker one for more insulation.
Let Us Do The Leg Work For You!
If you’re considering a new garage door installation, why not let us handle it for you? Call us anytime, 24/7, and we’ll gladly take your measurements and help you choose a new door. We can order it and install it for you in no time flat.
