New Garage ...How Big?

[marksinnc]

For as many years as I have followed JD's site, there seem to be some great people on here with pretty good ideas. So I thought I would run this one by you folks to see what response I get.

I have a chance to build a garage, separate from my house, but I only have one shot at this. The main thing that this garage is being built for is storage of my pride and joy, '69 Cutlass (L-16'10" x W-6'5"). But I also want to have the building large enough to put a riding mower, compressors, tool boxes, work bench...you get the picture...without making things too tight on the car. I was also thinking of smaller roll-up door, or double-utility door, at the rear or side to take the mower out instead of having to move the car everytime.


So here is my dilemma: How big should I go? Do I go extra deep, or go extra wide, or both?

 

[xcr440]

Um, how much room do you have to build, and how much money do you have to spend?

Those are the real questions you need to ask before anybody can tell you anything about how big to build.

 

[maddogg]

Bigger is always better when your talking garages.

 

[marksinnc]

Thanks XCR... I thought about mentioning that. Even though the side yard is fairly open, I can't go any wider than 20-ft depth is not an issue, but lets just cap it at 30-ft. As far the funding goes, I do have a limit in mind, but if I need to hold off another few months and add to what I have saved for this project to go a little bit larger, the option is there.

As I am sketching things up, 16' wide by 24' deep isn't looking that bad.

I have always played the game of moving the wife's car out of the garage, then jockeying my car so I could work on it. Hang the rear end out in the drive way when working under the hood for more room, etc. I guess what I was hoping for was someone who had been in this situation before...built their garage, but then realized that they would have rather had more room to the side, or an extra 4' here (or there) would have been perfect.

 

[maddogg]

Another Comment

My buddy just built 1. 3 car wide and 1 car deep. If depth isn't an issue for you I would make it deeper. WOrking on a car with the door down gets a little cramped. Mine ti 2 and a half wide and 1 and a half deep and I would still like it bigger. Now on the other foot, my father has a 2 wide by 2.5 deep and you can't get a car in it LOL.

 

[michaeladams]

at least as big as your house.

 

[98panther]

Ha, there is no right answer to this.

And 1 car or 2 car doesn't really mean much, there are many homes built in the last 10 years, that had what looked like a double door. And sold as 2 car garages, but unless your driving 2 Yaris's - good luck getting two cars in them. Ive seen them as shallow as 18' that's crazy.

My garage is 26' deep and I have plenty room for my rider/sled/utility trailer in front and still room to move around even room to pop the hood and work. Without backing it out. 28' would be nice, but 26' works. 24' nope not me.

Width if you have 20', then do 20' you'd be able to swing the doors wide open and vacuum, polish, wash windows - whatever.

there is my 2cents

 

[peter]

I would build it as big as you can. Provided village and fundings allow. You might one day invest in another toy and need the extra space.

 

[indy_500]

your garage will never be too big! i'm young but i can tell you, no matter how big you build it, you will want it bigger

 

[yamarage07]

I built a 30 wide by 24 deep it was a big as the city would allow me.I wish it was bigger.SO all I can say is build it as big as you can.You'll be surprised how fast it fills up.

 

[yamarage07]

looking back you say you could go 20ft wide and possibly 30 deep I say go for it with a 16ft garage door plenty of room to get your cutlass in and out and what ever else you might need to.oh yeah sweet car by the way any pics?

 

[samc]

You can never build your garage big enough. I didn't build our extra garage big enough and now regret it.......

 

[lvr1000]

34x36, 14x20, 14x12, 24x24, 12x37 and 12x20 and still not near enough, but not allowed to build more, unless I pay someone off.

Go as big as allowed!

 

[ttrain05]

like everyone else has said, build it as big as you can afford to. I built a 30'x 40' and I am happy with the size. I went with 9' sidewalls because I can't have a detached garage higher than 25ft. one thing is for sure, only had it for one year and it fills up fast

 

[harlybob]

Mark,

Dont forget, go as tall as possible. A car lift is always very handy for working on the toys.
4 post for oil chhanges and stoage, 2 post for major repairs, and restoration.

 

[wilson]

my back garage is 24x32 and i wish i would have went bigger, started out to be for storage of camper, riding mower, sleds, ect. now... camper stays outside, sleds in trailer outside, riding mower in smaller storage shed, got stuff stored in neighbors garage.... the garage is a woodshop and mancave with tv, refridgerator,desk, finished ceiling and paneled walls, i never thought when we built it that it would evolve into what it is today.

 

[mjdeutsch]

my 2 cents, build as BIG as you can.

you must post pics of the car

I have 20 acres so not many restrictions other than money and wife.....We are building a new house with 28 deep and 32 wide and I already think it is too small, but the wife doesn't want a garage with an attached house, she wants a house with an attached garage. Point taken. So deal is I get a barn next year. I was thinking 40x60, but that may be too small considering all I need to store. 4 sleds, trailer, 4-wheeler, 3 antique tractors, camper, and down the road, diesel truck, polaris ranger, and a boat. my father in law just built a 60x90 and it is huge, but full. my dad just built a 48x96 with a divider at 32 foot and that seams like a great size (although it is extreamly full), 32x48 shop/man cave and 48x54 storage, neighbor has a 66x144 with 40 foot shop and 104 foot storage, but that is huge too and all these barns are close to $100K so not cheap

bottom line as long as you can afford it you won't regret building it too big

 

[jroz]

Go down to Menard's and play on the design computer they have there. It will give you a good idea on what you can do...and it's fun!!!

 

[scott_b]

www.garagejournal.com

Got to the forum, sign up as a member and start looking. You will soon realize that a no matter how big you go you will wish you had gone bigger.

My advise, go as big as you can keeping the following in mind. 24' deep is the minimum you should go, 30' is more comfortable. Make the overhead door as large as you can, I have and 18' door and there have been times I wish it were bigger. Make the door a high lift and go with the Lift Master 3800 opener, this gives you height for the lift you will want sooner or later. Height is cheap, capitalize on it. My garage has 15' ceilings in it, I was able to build a 10'x10' loft over my "work area" that is great for seasonal storage. When you pour the floor do a light broom finish with no sealers and epoxy coat it with a high quaility epoxy like Wolerine, it will make it a more comfortable place to work and easier to keep clean. Insulate, insulate and insulate. Even if you don't want to heat it right away put in a B-Vent stack or run pex and have a seperately switched outlet for a ceiling fan. You can never have too much light, if you code allows it add a drain, sink and urinal and take pictures as you go so others can benefit from your experience.

 

[bru]

Build as big as the budget and room will allow and dont look back. I have a 2 1/2 attached and a 16 X 24 detached, and now wish I had gone at least twice as big. Live and learn.