These days, it’s often not enough to drive one vehicle. Having two at your expense lets you choose which ride best suits the occasion. An SUV or a van can make family trips and cross-country adventures more comfortable and enjoyable. Meanwhile, a sedan can be more practical for driving to work or running quick errands.
But before deciding to get a second vehicle, it’s a good idea to check whether your garage has enough space for two vehicles. In some cases, families with multiple vehicles need to upgrade their garage to accommodate at least two vehicles.
Two-Car Garage Size/Dimensions
The ideal size of a two-car garage will depend on the type of vehicles you own. For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume you have two standard vehicles each measuring 14 feet long and 6 feet wide.
Width
Generally, you should have at least 20 feet of width for a two-car garage to fit two standard-sized vehicles. However, it may be in your best interest to allot more space to create enough separation between the two. It’s also a good idea to leave some room in case you need to tinker with one of your vehicles.
A 24-foot wide garage is a good size to have. There should be enough space to back out of the garage without worrying about scratching or hitting the other vehicle. This also gives you enough room for a workbench if you need it.
Depth
A two-car garage that’s 20 feet deep is often good enough to fit two standard-sized cars. However, you should always plan and future-proof your garage’s design.
It’s ideal to opt for more space, even if you don’t need it right now. A 24×24 (or larger) two-car garage could save you money in the long run, since you won’t have to redesign the garage in case standard vehicle sizes become bigger over time.
Height
The ideal height of a garage is at least 8 feet. However, try to go at least 12 to 15 feet if you can, to give your cars some headspace when backing out. A 12-foot high garage also increases the possible size of your garage door.
Doors
Getting the right-sized door can help prevent scratches or chips when entering and exiting the garage. The height of your garage door will depend on the size of your biggest vehicle and the type of door you plan on getting.
A good rule of thumb is that the door height should be at least a foot higher than your tallest vehicle. Manually operated doors should be at least 12 feet, while automatic doors should be 15 feet.
If possible, it’s a good idea to get separate garage doors installed for each vehicle.
Two-Car Garage Cost
On average, it costs somewhere between $35 and $60 per square foot to build a garage or an average of $23,900 exclusive of labor.
Additionally, you want the garage to be secured, so it’s best to install cameras and a security system, which may cost up to $2,000.
How to Maximize Garage Space
Having a large garage is a dream for most drivers, but sometimes a renovation is out of the question. Here are some ways to maximize your garage space without spending thousands of dollars.
Maximize Vertical Space
As mentioned earlier, the optimal height of a garage is at least 8 feet. Mounting shelves and racks on the wall will help you utilize all the vertical space the garage has to offer. This will help keep your tools organized and easy to retrieve. Removing boxes and items from the floor also makes your garage a safer space to work in.
Organize Your Stuff
Other ways to save space and organize your garage include using jars for small hardware items, installing open shelves and pegboards, building a workbench, and utilizing corner shelves to make room for smaller tools.
Other Options for Families With Two Cars
Some options to keep in mind if you can’t afford a two-car garage are carports and car sheds. These two may not offer all of the benefits of an enclosed garage, but they do enough to protect your vehicles from the elements.
Carport
A carport is an open-sided structure designed to protect your vehicle from the elements. It is often made from metal or wood, with a waterproof fabric/metal overhead to protect vehicles from the sun, rain, and snow.
While it doesn’t offer the same protection you can get from a fully covered garage, installing a pre-built carport often costs less money and requires less time compared to a garage renovation.
Car Sheds
Car sheds are similar to garages, but they are smaller in size. While the average garage measures 14 by 22 feet, a shed generally stands at 8 by 10 feet. It fits only one vehicle, but that shouldn’t be an issue if you already have a separate garage for the other car.
Sheds also come with advantages over garages and carports. They’re an inexpensive alternative to renovating your garage, and they are more secure compared to a carport because they’re enclosed and lockable.
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