How To Make The Most Out Of The Space In Your Two Car Garage
If you have an existing two car garage and want to get the most out of the space, there are several things that you can do. It is not always worth the money in permits and construction costs to have it expanded.
However, there are some ways to increase the interior dimensions of your two-car garage. Consider adding vertical shelves provided that you have enough height clearance. You may not have enough height clearance for vertical shelves, however, and that is fine. In that case, get regular shelves that will fit along the walls.
That way, you can store tools, boxes, and whatever it is that you dont want to clutter up your house. If you dont mind spending some money on renovations, you could always add an attic to the garage.
What Is The Average Height Of A Two Car Garage
On average, 2 car garages have 7 or 8 feet of height. A 2 car garage with 8 feet of height leaves a good amount of room for proper clearance, but no room for storage.
Vertical storage is a common feature of many 2 car garages. Choosing a smaller 2 car garage, i.e. 20 x 20 but having added height like 10-12 clearance is a good alternative to a bigger 2 car garage.
If the lack of storage in small plans like 20 x 20 is off-putting but you dont want to go bigger, instead go taller. Going with a loft setup that is 12 high leaves plenty of room to store tools, furniture, and gear.
In fact, some people build an apartment into their 2 car garage if they have 12-14 of height. You dont need a loft/apartment setup necessarily, but that extra height is a huge help. Having height over 8 affords room for storage shelves and racks.
The benefits of having added vertical space in a 2 car garage include:
Whether it is a detached two car garage, or one attached to the house, all of these costs will factor in. There is an added cost of up to $1,500 for permits when doing a garage conversion. Permit price varies from state to state and zone to zone.
If you live in a cold area, insulated garage doors are worth the investment. For a 2 car garage, you need a double garage door which costs between $800-$1,500. To have an insulated two car garage door costs roughly $1,600.
Car Garage Dimensions: Length
A common length is anywhere from 20 to 40. Once again, if youre building is much shorter than 20 you begin to feel the size restrictions when its time to park your car in the garage. And if you go much longer than 40 the builder will begin to have the size and weight challenges associated with moving the building around. You may also incur extra fees when its time to make the delivery.
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Get The Perfect Sized Garage For Your Home
Knowing the average garage size of a one, two and three car garage is important in determining how much space youll need for your new garage. The amount of space youll need is 100% determined on how youll use your garage.
Creating a custom garage is a great option for you. It allows you to make a garage that fits your needs. Its perfect if you want to use your garage as something other than vehicle and lawn equipment storage.
Danleys will help you make your dream garage. Weve been building custom garages for Chicago homeowners since 1959. The amount of experience we have cant be topped by any company. Get a free quote today.
What Did We Learn
If you want wiggle room and extra space, a 24 x 24 two car garage is perfect. Maybe you dont need as much space, and in that case a 20 x 20 may just be right for you.
To be safe, going with a 24 x 24 over a 20 x 20 will at least give you space later on if you wind up needing it. Or, if you want to have even more space for storage and possible a work bench, its best to go even longer and opt for a 24 x 30 two car garage.
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C It Depends On The Size Of Your Vehicle And What Else You Wish To Store
Keep in mind that a typical sedan is about 17 feet long. If you want room to get around the back of your vehicle with the garage door closed you may want to go more than 24 feet deep. You might also consider adding 4 more feet for a workbench so you have space to tinker with the car inside. If you really want space to work on your vehicle inside the garage, then you should consider a 30 long two car garage.
Bottom line, the average size two car garage is 24×24 or 24×30, but it also depends a lot on what you want to put inside. Note, we said average sized garage, not the minimum sized two car garage.
Here are a few visual aids from to help give think about what the best dimensions of a 2 car garage might be for you. It may help you decide to build bigger.
Bottom line, the average size two car garage is 24×24 or 24×30, but it also depends a lot on what you want to put inside.
What Are The Average 2
Note that there is a difference between the minimum size of a 2-car garage and the average size of a 2-car garage.
Have you ever met an average-sized person? The problem with average is that no one person perfectly fits the average mold. It simply means a middle ground, and your needs may be above average or less than average. Lets break it down the average garage size question further:
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How Big Is A Standard 2 Car Garage Average Garage Size
It is important to have a garage that is the perfect size for a house. Suppose it is effective and easy to manage as well, especially when you have a specific use for one.
First of all, it is important to understand that a garage size of two or three will be more perfect for a car than one.
It is a great starting point, but going for a garage size of one isnt smart. In this case, one should know that the standard 2 car garage might be the perfect average garage size.
This article will help you understand what amount of space is perfect for you and your garage and how big a standard 2 car garage is. However, to figure that out, it is important to consider what it is that youll be doing in the garage?
Keep Your Car Secure Behind A Garage Door
Knowing what size to build your garage is crucial. If you are a multi-car family, keeping everyones car secure is a priority. Also, having that extra space for other tasks is a real bonus.
A garage is not just a place where your car sleeps it could be a gym, a workshop, a storeroom, and even a laundry room.
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How Do I Get A New Car Title Or Check My Current Title
We get it, you may have lost your original title or never received one after buying or paying off your car. Unfortunately its going to take a bit of paperwork and a fee, typically less than $20, to get a new title sent to you. The good news is that it can be done through standard channels with your DMV.
These forms are accurate at the time of writing, but you might want to check with your local DMV to make sure you have the most recent forms.
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Choosing Your Garage Height
As weve mentioned, most garages stand between seven and eight feet tall. If you only drive small cars, you can save building costs by having a 7-foot ceiling. However, an eight-foot ceiling can give you quite a bit of extra space that will make the environment more comfortable, and you can use it for storage.
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The Minimum 2 Car Garage Dimensions
A two car garage is a garage that fits exactly two cars without leaving much space for much more. If all you do in the garage is park and go, this may be a perfect option for you. Remember that it also does not leave any extra space for storage.
The recommended size for a 2-car garage is between 18×20, 20×20 and 22×22. These dimensions offer very little room for movement, storage, or much else. Two small-sized cars will fit, but you will have to provide space elsewhere for your work tools, a bench if you desired one, and other items.
If you prefer smaller doors for your garage, a two car garage may be a good fit for you, but who likes small garage doors? The bigger, the better in most cases. Why would you choose 8 doors when you can get 9 or even 10 garage doors? Larger garage doors are also easier to operate when getting in and out of the garage. But remember, the right size for your needs will depend on the activities you plan to carry out within your garage.
This small-sized garage may not offer enough space to let you open your doors as widely as you would want to. You will need to be extra careful when navigating inside.
But why would anyone subject themselves to this when you can get a longer and deeper garage? A 24×24 garage is only slightly longer and deeper, but its functionality is epic.
What Are The Standard Dimensions For A 2 Car Garage
For many homeowners, a two car garage is not only highly sought after, but it is also a necessary part of their home. Not all houses come with 2 car garages, of course, so often homeowners will have one built to accommodate their needs.
Getting the right dimensions so that you get the most out of your 2 car garage can be tricky, however. So long as you dont go below the minimum requirement of 20 x 20, you have enough space for two cars.
While 20 x 20 is a good size to start out with, that is on the smaller side of two car garages. In order to leave yourself some room for extra storage or comfortability, 24 x 24 or higher is the optimal dimensions.
Lets get into the factors that determine 2 car garage dimensions.
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Other Variables To Consider
You will also need to consider what else you will store in the garage beside your car. Many people lie to keep their lawnmower, shovels, and garden tools in the garage for easy access when you need them. Bikes are another item commonly found in the garage, and you might want to leave a little room for a workbench and a toolbox so you can perform routine maintenance on your vehicle as needed. Storing these things might mean you need to add more width, length, and width to your garage.
If you are using steps to connect the garage to your home, those steps may take up room in your garage. Steps usually extend 10 inches per step, meaning just three steps will extend 2.5 feet into your garage. Many people also like to install bumpers to protect the driver from driving in too far and hitting a wall, especially in tight witting garages, ut these will use up a lot of space. We recommend using wood blocks to create car stops like you see in many parking lots, one for each front tire. You can even purchase commercial curbs made from a durable rubber that you can use to prevent the car from going too far without taking up space in the garage.
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Oversized 2 Car Garage Dimensions
A 24 x 24 2 car garage is a safer bet than a 20 x 20 for several reasons, including:
- More room for storage
- Extra space for opening doors
- Reduce risk of damaging car
The extra space afforded by a 24 x 24 2 car garage makes all the difference. A 20 x 20 2 car garage is 400 sq. ft., whereas a 24 x 24 2 car garage is 576 sq. ft. That extra 176 sq. ft. of length and width will give you more space.
One of the main benefits of a 24 x 24 2 car garage is that you are left with room for storage. Whether it be tools, a stray piece of furniture, a kayak, or your bicycles, extra storage is a major convenience.
Cost wise, a 24 x 24 2 car garage ranges between $3,000 and $4,700 roughly for the foundation alone. Total building costs typically cost over $28,000. Some people understandably wonder if it is worth the extra cost for an extra 4 feet length wise and 4 feet width wise.
There is no sure answer, but generally, the more space you give yourself now, the happier you will be later on when you need to use it. A 24 x 24 2 car garage is comfortable and provides storage space.
The Finest Garage Extensions In Markham
Every custom garage can cater to specific needs of homeowners and their entire families. You may need some dedicated square footage for your car. There may be a need to store motorcycles, bicycles and other smaller vehicles. A garage offers refuge to lawn mowers and snow equipments. It is often the space where all the hardware and different tools are housed. A garage can be a man cave, it can be a workshop or it could be just the necessary shelter for your car. Only a tailored garage will be able to attend to the distinct needs you may have.
Our custom garages in Markham are aesthetic and architecturally sound. We use the best materials for construction. You would not have to worry about insulation, electrical or plumbing fixtures and other state of the art amenities you may want. We are a licensed, insured and bonded company. We would secure the permits, get approval as per the building codes and facilitate visits by inspectors to ensure nothing goes wrong before, during or after the construction of a custom garage at your home in Markham.
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What About Detached Two Car Garages
Detached two car garages follow the same rules as attached garages for the most part. The main difference is that if you are building one from the ground up, there be a difference in permit price. Permit prices vary regionally, and no two states or counties are alike.
The other main difference between attached and detached two car garages is the price tag. Detached 2 car garages are more expensive for several reasons, including:
- Ventilation must be put in
- Building 4 walls
- Insulation or insulated door needs to be added
With attached garages, you only build 3 walls. Detached garages, however, you need to build 4 walls. There is also the issue of how cold detached garages can get which means youll want to spend the extra money for an insulated garage door.
If you are planning on building a detached two car garage, make sure that it is allowed within your neighborhood. Besides that, the cost for construction based on dimensions besides the foundation is roughly the same as an attached garage.
Is There A Cheaper Alternative
Technically, you can go below 20 x 20 and opt for 18 x 20 for a two car garage, which saves money but is not ideal. Here are a few quick numbers to refresh on before considering an 18 x 20 garage:
- 6-6.5 car width
- 1-3 feet width when opening car doors
- At least 10-12 space between each car
An 18 x 20 2 car garage simply does not have enough space to comfortably fit 2 cars. Unless you have two exceedingly small cars and no need for storage, 18 x 20 is just not enough.
Another thing to consider is that depending on your car length, the garage door clearance may not be enough. To put it simply, the only way you could fit 2 cars comfortably in an 18 x 20 is if the cars are small. That, and If there is enough space between the car and the garage door.
You need about 2 6 of space between your car and the garage door. Otherwise, most garage doors will not shut because their sensors wont allow it without the proper spacing.
Choosing 18 x 20 over a 20 x 20 is only a few hundred dollars difference and is not worth it if you need space.
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