Remnant Architecture

When my clients ask me to design a garage for their house, I first ask them what will be inside of the garage. A garage, like any other space in a house, is best designed when the use the space for is taken into consideration. So while there are some standards to laying out a garage, if the garage is customized for you, it will be the most usable for you.

Minimum Garage Size

Often I’ve heard a garage should be 20’x20′. That could be the right garage size for you. I think this size is best for people with compact cars or if the garage will be used for storage or a workshop, instead of parking cars. Sometimes when there is a smaller lot, this is as big as you can make it. However, 20’x20′ is the minimum size that I recommend to have any chance of being able to park two cars in the garage.

If you do want to only use your garage for storage or a workshop, you could go smaller than 20’x20′. Also if you are only wanting a one-car garage for a compact car, you could go with a 12’x20′ garage. However, since so much of the existing housing stock has two-car garages, there is pressure to provide the same thing to compete in resell. Often there are zoning requirements for parking spaces on your lot so make sure they are provided somewhere else, like in a driveway, if you have don’t provide parking in a garage.

Most Common Garage Size

The most common garage size I recommend is 24’x24′. This size garage can fit two of most modern size cars. The garage in my house is 24′ wide and has one bay that is 20′ deep and one bay that is 24′ deep. You can fit a minivan or mid-size truck in the 24′ foot deep bay. However, there are only inches between the vehicle and the wall if you try to put a minivan or mid-size truck in that bay. But a mid-size car can easily fit in the 20′ deep bay.

When thinking about the width of your garage, you need to take the width of the garage door into account. Older garage doors are 8′ wide, however most modern garage doors are at least 9′ wide to accommodate modern size cars. 2′ is a good minimum of wall space to have between garage doors and at the corners of the garage. Sometimes a double garage door can be helpful if you have a smaller garage or a tight turning radius into the garage. The minimum double garage door size is 16′ wide, but 18′ or 20′ wide can be more comfortable if you have the space.

Custom Garage Sizes

You might want to go bigger than a 24’x24′ garage if you need a lot of storage for tools/sporting equipment, you need another bay for a third car, or you have a larger vehicle. A 24’x24′ garage typically has enough room for a 2′ deep workbench or cabinet at the back of the bay, but if you need more space that that, then the garage can be extended as needed.

As far as attached garages, typically three bays are the max that I will group together. Any more than this, and the garage tends to dominate the house. However, if you do need more than a three-car garage, you can spread out the bays on different sides or levels of the house. Another option would be to have a detached garage behind your house, if you have a collection of cars or want a separate workshop.

If you have a larger vehicle, you can determine how much extra space will be needed by taking the dimensions of your vehicle and adding 2′ to 3′ for walking space around it. Looking at your vehicle measurements can also help you verify if you would be comfortable parking in a 20’x20′ or 24’x24′ garage.

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