what size should garage doors be?

The construction of a garage almost always follows after or simultaneously with the construction of a country house. The gate is one of its most important parts, which largely determines ease of use. Choosing the right type and size of garage doors is a necessary component of a garage construction project, which will avoid many problems:

Gate sagging and loose closing;
The appearance of cracks at junction points;
Jamming of mechanisms with the need for subsequent repairs, etc.

It should be borne in mind that there are no uniform generally accepted standards when determining the size of garage doors, since their size is influenced by many factors.

Garage door dimensions (height and width)

Dimensions of garage doors (height and width)
At the time of construction of a structure such as a garage, one of the most important indicators is the size of the garage door, which is found in every similar structure. This value will depend on a large number of subtleties and nuances, and if you miss even one, you can harm the structure and make the building unsuitable for use. What are the gate sizes and how to correctly calculate the optimal size?

This is exactly what the article will discuss.

Tips for use

When lifting the canvas, the process is visually monitored to ensure that there are no people or objects in the work area. It is forbidden to obstruct the movement of the sash; when lowering, be in the movement area. You should not give the remote control to children or allow them to open the garage door.

If damage to cables, parts, or electrical cables is noticed, repairs are carried out with the help of specialists. The same applies to the appearance of strong odors and unexpected noise. Entry and exit is allowed after the road has completely stopped in the limit position.

You cannot change the gate layout or add structural details yourself. Working units and rubbing parts must be regularly cleaned of debris and lubricated.

Typical garage door sizes

First, you should consider the standard dimensions of garage doors that are used to store one car, and on average it is 225 cm, sometimes even 250 cm. The minimum permissible height of the gate is 2 meters. As for the maximum permissible sizes, they are not limited by anything and cannot be regulated by any standard.

Helpful advice! In order for you to be able to find out more accurate dimensions of the garage while planning its construction, you should measure the car and add 50 cm on each side. According to average data, the width of a passenger car excluding mirrors is 1.8 meters. If you add 0.6 meters here, you get a size of 2.3 meters.

The width standards are for garage doors, and they will directly depend on the type of vehicle you use that will be located there for storage:

If the garage is supposed to store a vehicle such as a motorcycle/scooter, then the width of the door should be at least 1.85 meters.
For a passenger car, a width of 2.5 meters is enough.
The width of the garage door where you plan to store a jeep or minibus must be at least 4.85 meters.

As for the construction of a garage in which two cars can be stored, the regulations and building codes do not have clear boundaries, as well as the dimensions of garage doors for a passenger car in the amount of two pieces. In this case, as practice shows, the ideal gate size is 4.85 meters. The space for a car to enter will be smaller than the opening itself, and some space will be taken up by the frame structure of the gate. This point should be taken into account when designing a house and an extension in the form of a garage.

In addition to the dimensions of the gate frame itself, care should be taken to ensure that there is space for the drive, guides, and if the garage has a sectional gate, then the design includes door leafs.

When manufacturing any type of gate for a structure such as a garage, the following indicators should be taken into account:

Height and width of the opening.
Availability of free space for closing and opening the doors, if we are talking about swing gates.
Ceiling height is the distance from the ceiling to the opening.
Minimum permissible gap from the opening to the side walls.

Now it’s worth considering another type of gate.

Sash assembly

Make a frame from metal corners. All sizes must be selected independently. They depend on the parameters of the garage doorway, as well as the sash.

Next in the sash, after you have checked all the parameters, install a shield with a seal. Or it’s not a shield, but panels. You secure all this with self-tapping screws.

Then install the external rubber seals. Next, you need to install a sealing tape around the perimeter. Don't forget that you need to think about the location of the lock.

Next, install the guide profiles. It must be placed on the sides of the bracket, as close to the ceiling as possible. And at the end you check how softly and smoothly the rollers move.

Attach the lifting hinges to the gate leaf. Next, install springs or counterweights. They must be installed on both sides of the gate leaf. Next, install the sash itself and the lock.

Manufacturing and installing this type of gate requires certain knowledge, skills and effort. You need to be as careful as possible and do it according to a clear pattern.

Sectional door sizes

There are a huge number of sectional types of garage doors, and they differ from each other in the specifics of their creation, as well as installation requirements. But still, the minimum permitted height in such models is 1.8 meters. And here it should immediately be noted that it will not be comfortable for a tall person to pass through such an opening every time, so it is better to make structures with a height of 2 meters. Sectional mechanisms will work according to this principle - the flexible roller shutter sheet slides in due to the fact that it has hinges for the ceiling of the room.

This dictates the conditions for the size of the structure:

Sufficient ceiling space is required to accommodate the lifting mechanism.
The gap between the opening and the ceiling must be at least 12 cm.
There should be at least 10 cm from the sides of the opening to the walls of the room.

Once the required dimensions of the gate opening have been selected, you should proceed to selecting a model. There are more than enough of them on the construction market.

We suggest you consider the best options:

Alutesh;
Ruterna;
DoorNan;
Tessedo.

Let us also note that each manufacturer selects models and makes them using certain technologies, which will dictate the operational features of the product and the method of installation. The general requirements are as follows: the size of the lintel should be from 12 to 19 cm, and the sidewalls should be at least 10 cm. In addition, the standard size of sectional garage doors can also be regulated by the technologies of each manufacturer. For example, DoorHan has not one, but two series of products, and devices from the first type have a greater height, i.e. 2.7 meters, and the width is all 3 meters. The size of the lintel and sidewall is 10 and 12 cm.

The second type of model is made with extended dimensions, namely when the size is 5.5 * 3 meters, and the sidewall is at least 10 cm and the ceiling is 12 cm. Even during production, it is possible to order according to your own sizes. True, in this case the price of the products will be inflated.

Self-installation of PV

If you have free time, you can create an air supply for the garage at home. To do this, you must create a drawing and follow the instructions described in our article.

Choosing material

When choosing materials, it is important to ensure that they are suitable for the mechanism you want to use.

The list of required materials is presented:

wooden blocks 12*8 and 10*10 centimeters;
metal strips;
corners for frame 3.5*3.5*0.4 centimeters and for rails 4*4*0.4 centimeters;
channel bracket 8*4.3*0.5 centimeters;
a spring with a diameter of three centimeters;
a metal rod.

You also need to prepare the door leaf and electric drive for automatic use of the gate. You can make the canvas from:

a board panel covered with metal sheets;
sandwich panels.

Types of sandwich panels
You can also use a solid sheet.

To make a house, it is best to use a board panel. The structure can be insulated using expanded polystyrene.

We assemble garage PVs

Having prepared the tools, you can begin designing. The simplest solution is to measure the opening and find a suitable drawing on the Internet. You can draw up a sketch yourself, however, this is a very complex procedure that requires certain skills and knowledge.

Having solved the problem with the drawing, you can purchase material and begin installation. First you need to make a box from the bars. To make it strong, deepen its bottom into the ground by about three centimeters.

We mount the canvas

Cover the finished frame with a shield and sheet material. To make the base using a drill, drill two centimeter holes in 1 shelf, which will help fix the longitudinal posts. Make holes in the bottom shelf to secure the bracket. Make 3 more holes to install the channel bracket. Now connect it to the spring with the adjusting plate. Hook the spring with the lower coils and attach the tension regulator to it.

Now one side is a ring, and the other needs to be carved. Take a corner, make a hole in it and make a hinge joint. Then weld it to the frame between the hole for the lever and the lower edge of the frame. There should be about twelve centimeters between the hinge assembly and the hole.

Weld a plate with a hole to the end of the lever. Now you can move on to making the rails on which the mechanism will move. Place two corners so that the gap between their tops reaches five centimeters. Connect the edge of this figure by welding to the plate on which the holes are made.

Remember to stick to the calculations. The bottom edge of the cross member should be at a distance of eight centimeters from the center line. If everything turned out correctly, you can weld the channel sections to the reverse edges of the rails. There should be a distance of about fifteen centimeters between them. Connect the block on the ceiling and the channel with a regular bolt.

Dimensions for overhead gates

Pivot-and-lift gates are characterized by a heavier structure than the models as a whole that were discussed earlier. They are distinguished not only by their large weight, but also by the need to equip the system with a powerful electric drive, as well as high-strength hinges.

Please note that such structural elements require extra space indoors, which means you plan to install similar gates in your garage if you have the space to place the mechanism.

When the garage door, the size of which can be very different, is opened, the shutters will turn and rise upward, right up to the ceiling of the room. This is where the lifting mechanisms will be located, for which space should be provided for installation work. It is also important to leave space not only under the surface of the ceiling, but also in front of the structure itself, because this is due to the specifics of the work.

Rule 5. There must be somewhere to attach it.

If it is concrete, solid brick, or even foam block there is no problem. It's worse when it's a slotted brick. There are two options - either weld the frame from the corner and attach it to it, or plaster it and attach it to the mortar joint. The first option is more reliable, but more expensive, the second is cheaper, but depending on your luck. If during the installation process it turns out that the fasteners do not hold, you can use chemical anchors.

The opening is reinforced with a corner.

Mounting in hollow brick. The arrows show the installation locations of chemical anchors.

Typical garage door sizes

First of all, let's look at the standard dimensions of garage doors used to store one car: the minimum width dimensions are 2.25 m, the average dimensions are 2.5 m. The minimum garage height is 2 m.

As for the maximum dimensions of such a structure, they are not limited or regulated by any standards.

Advice! To get more accurate dimensions of the garage at the planning stage of its construction, you should measure the car and add 30 cm to the resulting dimensions on each side. On average, the width of a passenger car excluding side mirrors is 180 cm. If you add 60 cm to them, you get a standard size of 2.4 m.

The standard width of a garage door depends on the type of vehicle that will be stored there:

if a motorcycle or scooter is supposed to be stored in the garage, then the width of the gate should be at least 1.8 meters;
For a passenger car, 2.5 meters is enough;
The width of the gate opening in the garage where it is planned to store a jeep or minibus must be at least 4.8 meters.

As for the construction of a garage for storing two cars at the same time, building codes and regulations do not indicate clear boundaries and dimensions of the gate opening. In practice, the most optimal width of a garage door in this case will be 4.8 meters.

The space for a car to pass through will be smaller than the opening, since some space is occupied by the frame of the gate structure. And this point should be taken into account at the design stage of this element.

At the manufacturing stage of any type of garage door, the following indicators must be taken into account:

width and height of the opening;
availability of free space for opening/closing gate leaves - we are talking about a swing type;
lintel height - the distance from the ceiling to the opening;
minimum gap from the side walls of the building to the opening.

Rule 4. The opening must be level!

The opening must be in the same plane, without sagging or depressions. It is best to plaster it over the beacons before installing the gate.

It is better to plaster such an opening before installing the gate.

Here the customer prudently plastered the plane of the opening.

Places protruding beyond the plane of the opening are indicated by arrows. It is necessary to cut the base to a vertical line.

Sectional door sizes

There are many types of sectional garage doors, which differ in their manufacturing specifics and installation requirements. But nevertheless, the minimum height of such models is standard - 1.8 meters.

And here you need to understand that it will not be entirely comfortable for a tall person to pass through such an opening. Therefore, it is better to give preference to taller models, for example, with a structure height of 2 meters.

Sectional mechanisms operate according to the following principle: the flexible roller shutter blade slides under the ceiling of the room using existing hinges.

And this is precisely what dictates the dimensions of the structure:

sufficient space under the ceiling is required to accommodate the lifting mechanism;
the gap between the ceiling and the opening should be at least 13 cm;
There should be at least 10 cm from the walls of the room to the sides of the opening.

Once the required dimensions of the gate opening have been determined, you can begin to select the model itself. There are many of them on the market. We propose to consider the dimensions of the most common options:

In addition, the standard sizes of sectional doors are also regulated by the technology of each manufacturer. For example, DoorHan has 2 product series: Yett1 and Yett2. Models of the first series are characterized by the following maximum dimensions: height – up to 270 cm, width – up to 300 cm. The size of the sidewall and lintel is 14 and 9 cm, respectively.

The second series of models is produced with more expanded dimensions: their size can reach 5.5x3 meters with a sidewall from 10 cm and a lintel from 13 cm. It is also possible to order custom sizes at the production site. True, in this case the cost of the product increases slightly.

Features of rolling gate sizes

This type of door leaf consists of thin slats, usually made of aluminum. The mechanism of operation of rolling gates is to lift the door leaf and gradually roll it onto a shaft located under the garage ceiling.

When folded, roller garage doors are a roll hidden in a box, which protects it from dirt, dust and moisture accumulation.

In this case, the main role is played by the size of the roll - the larger the canvas and the greater its thickness, the larger it will be.

This parameter must be taken into account at the calculation stage, since the roll of roller shutters must fit under the ceiling of the garage building, without blocking part of the opening and, thereby, ensuring normal passage of the vehicle.

The type of gate control plays an important role in calculating the side clearance. For example, a roller shutter mechanism controlled by a manual drum requires more space than models with automatic remote control equipped with an electric motor.

The standard dimensions of gates made of metal, or more precisely, made of aluminum plates, are the following indicators:

height – 180-270 cm;
width – 200-300 cm.

When choosing rolling gates, it is recommended to take into account the features of a particular model. Each model is equipped with its own individually sized control unit and, as is clear, it needs a place to be fixed in the garage.

It is necessary to measure the height of the roll in advance and add this indicator to the opening/lintel, depending on the location where the control unit and fixation of the mechanism will be located.

As with sectional garage doors, each roller door manufacturer sets its own standards.

Consider this data using the example of brands of this product already known to us:

Alutech is a Belarusian company;
DoorHan is a domestic manufacturer.

For reference! Models from a responsible brand are intended for garages with a sidewall width of up to 12 cm and a lintel of about 10 cm.

Standard characteristics of models from DoorHan:

minimum height – 180 cm, maximum – 270 cm;
minimum width – 100 cm, maximum – 300 cm.

Products in this category of products from Alutech are divided into 2 classes: Standard and Classic. The main standard indicators of their dimensions are as follows:

minimum height – 225 cm, maximum – 308 cm;
minimum width – 280 cm, maximum – 600 cm.

Drive selection

By design they are divided into two types.

Counterweight system

Rarely used for a private garage. Gates of bus and trolleybus garages and industrial hangars are equipped with this drive.

Suitable for canvases that are large in weight and size.

One end of the winch cable is attached to the bottom of the sash, then the cable is passed through a mechanical block located on the ceiling, closer to the opposite wall. A load (counterweight) is mounted to the other edge. When the gate opens, it lowers, and when closed, vice versa. Moreover, the mass of the counterweight should be greater than the sash itself.

The advantage of gates with such a drive is maximum security against burglary and unauthorized entry.

Articulated-lever (lever-spring)

The most common option in the private sector, garage cooperatives.

The mechanism consists of:

springs;
rollers;
levers.

Metal profile guides are mounted under the ceiling in a horizontal position along the edges of the doorway. Springs and levers are fixed at the bottom. The rollers are placed in the upper corners of the canvas.

When installing, it is important to accurately regulate the tension of the springs, to observe the vertical and horizontal when fastening the guides.

The leads are mounted to the ceiling. When opening, a cable is used, which is placed on the profile under the ceiling.

When opening, the spring stretches, and the canvas on rollers moves along the guides.

Dimensions of overhead gates

Up-and-over gates are characterized by a heavier design than the models discussed earlier. They are distinguished not only by their massiveness, but also by the need to equip the system with a powerful electric drive and durable hinges.

As is clear, such structural elements of the system require additional space in the room, which means that if I plan to install such gates in my garage, it is very important to ensure that there is sufficient space to accommodate the mechanism.

In the process of opening the gate, the shutters of the system rotate and rise to the top - to the ceiling of the garage. Here, in fact, the lifting mechanism is located, for which it is necessary to provide a place for its installation.

It is also important to leave space not only under the ceiling, but also in front of the garage structure, which is due to the specifics of the mechanism.

Dimensions of lift-and-turn blades vary depending on the manufacturer and the location of the control mechanism. According to the standard, the height of such systems starts from 2.2 meters.

Advice! When choosing the type of garage door, it is important to understand that for large openings it is better to select less heavy door models.

For example, the weight of a solid panel of a lifting and turning mechanism will be quite impressive, which will entail the need to equip the system with a powerful engine, large hinges and strengthen the foundation and wall ceilings.

In addition, when choosing a lift-type gate, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

strength indicators;
ease;
width dimensions - the maximum parameter is, as mentioned earlier, 600 cm;
height dimensions – maximum 2.2 m.

But, in the case of expanding the size, it is worth understanding that due to the increase in the mass of the finished product, its service life will be less than that guaranteed for standard-sized models.

Summary

As you can see, roller shutter gates are an excellent solution for a garage of any available size. With some skill, installation of such gates can be done independently. Roller shutters require periodic maintenance, which includes inspection of the shaft and motor drive. If necessary, the rubbing elements are lubricated.

How to determine the size of swing gates?

Manufacturers of goods in this segment produce models that are in demand among potential consumers. Most often these are gates 200 cm high and 400 cm wide.

If there is a need to equip a garage with non-standard door models, then their size can be determined using the same calculation: add 30-40 cm to the width of the car on each side. This is the minimum that is necessary for the car to fully enter/exit the garage and maneuver inside the structure.

As for the cost of a swing-type garage door, 4x2 meters in size, such an average model will cost about 30 thousand rubles. Whereas for an additional 20-50 cm of width you will need to pay about 8 thousand rubles.

In order to save money, many qualified specialists strongly recommend planning the dimensions of the gate at the stage of drawing up the design of the garage itself. Then it is possible to order gates of standard sizes, without overpaying for non-standard ones, and fit them into the structure being built.

It would also be a good idea to consult with several companies involved in the manufacture of these products. This will also allow you to save money and choose the option that best suits your wallet and functionality.

In addition, there is an opportunity to save money if you order gates not in the summer season, when they are in high demand, but closer to winter. As a rule, during this period prices for this type of goods fall.

More about the concept of a standard

It is not possible to standardize all possible options for garage door sizes, since their determination is influenced by a number of factors:

The variability of car models that differ in size, their number is so large, that it is very difficult to apply a standard product size chart to all options;
The division of transport into large and small requires the use of garages for different purposes: industrial, household;
The possibility of unhindered entry to the site is determined by the angle of rotation from the street, and the location of the garage also affects: above or below the soil surface;
The design of the mechanisms determines the dimensions of the opening, since swing, sliding or lifting versions can be installed;
Brand – each manufacturer provides an individual sizing chart.

In general, the standard can vary within the following range: height 196 cm - 310 cm, width 250 cm - 280 cm.

If all the stated conditions are averaged, it is permissible to take the standard dimensions of the gate mechanisms as a basis.

Parameters from minimum to maximum

Given the significant differences in vehicle dimensions, it is better to focus on the takeoff run from the smallest to the largest values. Each design has its own nuances, so the range of sizes is formed individually for each case.

The height of the garage opening according to GOST: vary from 2.3 m to 2.6 m. Remember that the height of a jeep may differ from the height of a passenger car.

Roll models

The minimum width and height, respectively: 750x750 mm, however, this option is not advisable to equip as the main entrance to the garage. Therefore, you need to proceed from the size of your personal transport. The permissible opening width consists of the width of the car and tolerances, which on average are 30-40 cm, on both sides. The average height of garage entrance doors for passenger vehicles is in the range of 2.2-2.5 m.

The dimensions of the rolls must be planned taking into account that the roll unit needs space in the opening; in the end they will be much lower.

If we consider the maximum dimensions of roll structures, we can study the proposals of all manufacturers. The result will be the maximum width and height, respectively: 11x8 m.

It must be remembered that the larger the product, the more expensive it will cost. This is due to the overall weight, which means that such models use reinforced fittings.

Sliding structures

Minimum values of width and height: 3 m, 1.9 m. This is quite enough for the passage of passenger vehicles. If larger opening dimensions are needed, the dimensions are increased to the required values in increments of width and height, respectively: 0.5 m; 0.2 m. Considering the opening method, sliding structures can be installed in maximum dimensions: 40x20 m.

Swing gates

In this case, a sufficient amount of free space is calculated next to the opening from the side of the street or site.

Correct planning of sizing and parameters is directly related to the expected cost of the product.

The minimum parameters of such structures in width and height: 3x1.9 m. The most common standard sizes of swing garage doors: 4x2 m in width and height.

Sectional Standard

Each of the popular brands (Alutech, Hormann, DoorHan, RYTERNA) is characterized by a specific size chart. Moreover, the values of some sizes may be the same for different manufacturers. One of the parameters, the value of which varies significantly for products of different brands, is the dimensional step.

Standard height values for structures of various series vary from 1,800 to 2,700/3,000 mm. The size ball is 0.1 cm. The width varies from 2,000 to 3,000 mm in increments of 0.1 cm. The most popular width options are: 2,500, 2,700 and 3,000 mm.

Standard sizes of Dorhan sectional models

The products of this manufacturer are characterized by even smaller dimensional increments. Accordingly, the standard dimensions are: 2,250x1,875, 2,250x2,000 and 2,250x2,125 mm.

When increasing the width to 2,375 and 2,500 mm, the height values can be the same as for the previous case, but the dimension of 2,080 mm is added. Other widths vary in 0.25 cm increments: from 2,750 to 6,000 mm.

Size range: Hormann sectional designs

The dimensional step of this manufacturer is 110 mm. Accordingly, for door widths equal to 2,500 mm and 3,000 mm, you can choose the option 2,150, 2,260 or 2,370 mm.

Under this brand, designs are produced in the widest range. The dimensional step is 0.125 cm. Minimum parameters for width and height: 2,250x2,085 mm. The number of options will increase in accordance with the increase in the height value in steps of 0.125 cm.

Alutech gates can be installed in almost any garage opening, they do not steal the dimensions of the opening in which they are installed.

Materials for frame, cladding

To create a frame, it is recommended to use rectangular profile pipes 40*20 mm with a wall thickness of 2 mm.

For crossbars and longitudinal beams, pipes measuring 20*20 mm are sufficient, the wall thickness remains the same.

The material for the guides may well be a channel 20 cm wide.

To make a box where the drive will be placed, it is allowed to take a beam measuring 100 * 50 mm or a metal corner with a 50 mm shelf.

Ideal for cladding:

Profiled sheeting. It is characterized by high strength and long service life. The sheets have a protective anti-corrosion coating. The raw materials are resistant to environmental influences. Wide selection of colors available. Convenient to cut into required pieces.
Tree. Not so popular material due to susceptibility to rotting and damage by insects. Fire hazardous. Before installation, any wooden parts need protective treatment. The strength is several times lower than that of a profiled sheet. Pros: low price, beautiful view.
Cink Steel. Suitable for gate trim. Coated with a protective anti-corrosion compound. When fastening, you need to be careful not to damage the protective layer, otherwise the material will begin to rust.
Sandwich panels. The material is practical and washable. Installation is simple. It has excellent heat and sound insulation properties. Fireproof.