Before you put the measuring tape in the pocket and head to the garage, stop and read why it’s so important to choose the right garage door size. Deciding on the size is the first thing you are asked to do before the garage door installation project gets started. If you are wondering why there’s so much fuss about it, let us point out the reasons for focusing on garage door sizes before you do anything else.
Are the standard garage door sizes good enough for you?
There are standard sizes for single and double garage doors on the market.
Since most family homes have a similar garage structure, the door sizes are standard too. Most residential garage doors are 8 or 9 feet wide and 7 or 8 feet tall. But some single garage doors are 10 feet wide too, while their height might reach up to 12 feet – that’s a big enough size to fit an RV.
So, the first question to consider is whether or not a single overhead garage door will be suitable for you. If not, there’s the choice of getting a double garage door. The usual width here is 16 feet while the height still ranges from 7 to 8 feet, or taller.
If none of the above standard garage door sizes are appropriate for you, then you need to get a custom option. Today, companies can create garage doors of nearly any size – for large garages, for low garages, for very small garages, etc.
And here comes the big question: will the size of your garage be the only determinant of the door’s size? And even if that’s a priority when you are looking for a garage door replacement, how about when you are constructing a garage from scratch!
4 considerations before you choose garage door sizes
Garage requirements
There’s no doubt that the garage size is the first factor that shapes your decision about the garage door size. When it comes to new constructions, it’s all about a matter of available space in the property and architectural taste. Some don’t like the big size of double garage doors and prefer to have a number of single garage doors installed in the row. And so, your decision is limited if you already have a garage door and just want to replace it. In such cases, you can enlarge it or have the single overhead garage doors converted into one double door only if there’s enough space and there won’t be a safety risk – it depends on the structure.
Vehicle requirements
Your decision is also affected by the vehicles you own. It’s no wonder there’s an RV garage door size. There are many families with recreational vehicles and want to keep them secure in their garage. Once again, if you want the existing garage door replaced with a new bigger one, you need to consider the available space in the garage. If this is a new garage door installation/construction, consider the size but also the number of your vehicles.
Price tag
One of the factors, which affects the garage door prices, is the size. Naturally, the larger the garage door, the higher the price. So, it depends on your family budget too.
Future maintenance & repairs
Although the garage door maintenance requirements depend on a number of factors (material, location, use, etc.), the larger and thus heavier doors require more regular inspections. And this is not only a hassle, but an additional expense too.
To sum up
As you can see, there are many things that impact one’s decision before the garage door size is selected. The good news is that there are choices, but you need to remember that the measurements must be accurate and your decision must be based on your personal needs.
