Many car enthusiasts are interested in the question, what is the most optimal size for a garage for 2 cars, what factors should be considered during planning, how do dimensions affect materials? There is no single or universal answer for all cases, there may be too many options. But there are general recommendations from professionals who assist in choosing a two-car garage option.
What to consider when planning
The more individual factors that are taken into account at the design stage, the fewer problems will arise during the operation of the building. In addition, proper planning will make it possible to achieve significant cash savings, reduce the estimated cost and increase the life of the building. The standard dimensions of a two-car garage should take into account:
- Possibility of convenient entry / exit of the car from the garage. This indicator depends not only on the size and number of gates, but also on the location of the building on the site, the availability and characteristics of access roads.
- Garage use. There will only be cars in it, or it is necessary to provide premises for utility rooms, rest rooms, work areas, etc. Will there be an inspection pit in the garage, is it a separate building or an extension to the main one. What is the width and length of the building, ceiling height, roof material and type of truss system, the presence of attic rooms.
- The climatic zone of residence. The further north the region, the greater the height of the maximum snow cover. This means that the angle of inclination of the slopes should increase, the rafters should be designed from durable materials, taking into account snow and wind loads.
- Car brands. Cars can be cars and trucks, differ in height and width, door sizes, etc.
The premises must satisfy users in all respects. An important point is that during the design, a possible change in the car park should be taken into account. It is not advisable to reorganize the premises after buying a new car; often such work requires not only a lot of time, but also large material investments. It is economically more profitable to immediately build a building with a margin.
Where do the calculations start?
The optimal dimensions begin to be calculated from the minimum required area, the parameters are tied to the dimensions of the car. With the doors open, the distance to the walls should be at least 0.5 meters, from the hood to the wall at least one meter. This is provided that the garage will be used only for storing cars. The size of the garage for 2 cars should take into account the presence of a passage between them with the doors open. This parameter is at least fifty centimeters, a minimum of 20–25 cm should be added to the distance for parking errors.
The data should be calculated independently, it’s a good idea to consult with the owners of double garages and ask them about the operating conditions. The advice of experienced car owners is no worse than the advice of professional architects.
Dimensions of the most optimized garage
Types of garages Buildings can have several fundamental architectural differences, they should be taken into account during calculations.
Garage for car and bus or mini truck
In this option, the ceiling height for the beam and the passenger car are calculated separately. The garage is very functional, it allows you to store cars of various classes. The estimated cost is much lower than two hotel buildings for the same needs.
Garage with a canopy
Allows you to reduce the number of opening / closing gates, a large amount of time cars can be under an ordinary canopy. Garage doors are the weakest and most expensive architectural unit. In addition, it is he who most often fails, requires periodic maintenance and repairs. The width of the garage with a canopy should be calculated according to the same algorithm as the options described above. The canopy should provide protection for the car along the entire length, the width is tied to the parameters of the garage. If desired, the side surfaces of the structure can be sheathed, due to this, the capacity of the garage is doubled without large financial losses.
Garage with technical rooms
A good option with the prospect of the possibility of performing repair work on machines. This is the optimal size of a garage for 2 cars of passenger brands, a width of almost 10 meters, a length without technical premises of 6 meters, a total length of 8.4 meters. The boxes are separate, which allows you to make one room heated, and the second cold. Such a layout is considered optimal in the winter period, it is possible to save expensive energy resources. Additional amenities are available due to the presence of a separate entrance to all operated premises.
Dimensions of a garage for two cars with a common technical room
A budget option for an optimal garage for two cars with one technical room. The overall width of the garage is slightly increased by reducing the length. The garage does not have a partition, which allows, if necessary, to store cars of various brands. True, in this case, it will be necessary to change the transport layout plan, taking into account the direction of the exit of the driver and passengers.
Types of optimal garages depending on the design of the gate The greater the width of the building, the stronger the swing gates should be. In connection with this dependence, it is categorically not recommended to make one swing gate for two entries. The best option is roller shutters.
Separate rolling gates 
General garage roller doors
Roller shutters allow you to automate the process of opening/closing. Modern systems have fairly reliable protection against the intrusion of unwanted persons. In addition, they do not require free space on the sides of the garage. As for swing gates, this option is currently considered the exception rather than the rule. Swing gates have quite a few disadvantages: they have a negative impact on the strength of load-bearing structures, they cannot be automated. Another significant drawback - a large kinetic energy can cause the destruction of loaded garage nodes.
Roof features Most two-car garages have a pitched roof, but you can also opt for a flat roof option. Such a project reduces the cost of construction, but excludes the possibility of using attic space.
Flat roof garage
The angle of inclination is selected depending on the height of the snow cover, the more snow, the greater the angle. In addition, rafters should be made of more durable materials. Much attention should be paid to water drainage - the garage has a large roof area, and all flows are directed in one direction. It is recommended to place the building in such a way that rain and melt water is discharged outside the site.
The size of a 2-car garage can be significantly reduced if it is not built separately, but attached to existing buildings.
Attached garage
The building has a common wall. If such an option was envisaged at the stage of building a house - excellent, a common foundation is being made for both structures. This arrangement eliminates the appearance of cracks between the facade walls. If the garage extension is done later, then a complex of complex construction measures should be taken to connect two separate foundations. This must be borne in mind, in some cases such reinforcements require a large amount of excavation, and this increases the estimated cost.
Conclusion
The more options will be considered when choosing a particular garage for the car, the fewer errors will be found during operation. There is no need to rush to make a final decision, the optimal dimensions should guarantee ease of use, and not just cost savings.
The garage is also a pantry for pickles and preservation, which should fill as much space as possible in order to stock up on vitamins for the winter. It is also a cozy place to communicate with friends, where urgent problems are discussed and other matters are resolved. We also want to fit all our machines, power and hand tools. What should be the size of the garage for 2 cars?
Garage planning
How do you see this garage? Before you fit yourself into any size limits, it is important to decide where it will be located and what else, besides cars, will be there. According to the method of placement, several main structures can be distinguished:
- Detached - a certain area is allocated specifically for the construction of a garage.
- Articulated with the house - the box is adjacent to the main building. This can be done from either side - the orientation goes to where it is more convenient to make an entry. The advantage of this option is that directly from the living quarters you can get directly to the car, once again without opening the gate.
- Underground. If the groundwater level and soil allow, then you can make an underground floorin which cars will be located. The advantages of this option are that a relatively constant temperature will be maintained inside and there will be more space for additional buildings or a lawn. The disadvantage is that you need to plan it even when laying the foundation of a residential building, after which it is almost impossible to do it, except perhaps separately.
Now take a sheet of paper and schematically draw a rectangle with arbitrary sides and mark the elements that you would like to see inside:
- Pickles shelves. They can be placed directly in the main box against the side or back wall. There is another option - to organize a cellar right under the garage and make the entrance to it from a viewing hole. In this case, you do not have to worry about sudden changes in temperature, and you will save a lot of space.
- Additional vehicles. It can be a motorcycle, an electric car, bicycles. Decide where you would like to place them, given the parked cars. Perhaps this will be one of the sides. Placement in front against the far wall will be much more problematic.
- Workplace. It is most convenient to do it in the back of the garage. There you can install all the machines, workbenches, as well as tables. If you do not plan to engage in serious repair or design work, then the main tool can be placed in special cells.
- Heating. If you still plan to repair the car yourself, it is important that it is warm enough inside. The boiler or other heating device is best placed in depth.
- Storage room for gardening and gardening equipment. In order not to constantly walk through the main room, it is better to provide a separate entrance for these purposes.
- Number of viewing holes. Will there be only one or will each car have its own pit, which will greatly facilitate service maintenance, and also eliminate the need to drive one car out to put another one for inspection.
- Rubber storage. A self-respecting motorist has at least two basic sets of shoes for cars. Whether it will be stored hanging or neatly stowed will influence the choice of the size of the building.
- Sauna or bath. There is nothing wrong with combining these two spaces. After a hard day's work, you can relax and unwind, or just wash off the oil and dirt. It is very important if the garage is planned in the country.
- Windows - decide if they are needed in the design. When properly placed, they will make it possible to significantly save on energy consumption. But if the garage is located remotely, not in the yard, then it is easier for intruders to penetrate through them.
Choice of garage door design
By now, a rough plan was about to emerge. But we missed one important detail - the entrance. Will it be with one gate or two. If the budget is limited, and you want to invest at a minimum, then single-leaf swing gates would be a suitable option, but their operation is not very comfortable and convenient, because. the design is very bulky and heavy, but much easier to manufacture.
Note! Even some inaccuracies and the absence of additional support mechanisms will quickly lead to a distortion of the structure - this will further complicate the movement of single-leaf gates.
If these are sectional doors, then it will be more convenient to work with one set of automation, but, most likely, they will cost more than two separate options with standard dimensions. The advantage of an entrance with two gates will be easier parking, especially since they can be made of different heights so that it is possible to drive larger minibuses, etc. Another interesting nuance would be appropriate - a canopy. With it, it will be possible to hide the vehicle from rain, hail or snow, without having to drive it inside. This is convenient if you are going to use the car throughout the day. You can place a canopy both on the side and directly in front of the entrance itself.
Optimal does not mean standard
Now we can safely take on to decide what the optimal dimensions will be, that is, our structure in length and width. Logically, you just need to take the dimensions of the cars and multiply by 2. Let's do that, and take the width of 1.7 m as the starting point (this is the average value for most cars). Doubly it turns out 3.4 m, now we add to this value the necessary space for free passage so as not to wipe the walls with your jacket, and also not to use clothes like a dust rag on the hood - 50–60 cm - this will be quite enough even for people with large bones.
Note! If it will be necessary to put passengers in the car in the garage, then it is necessary to maintain the necessary distance between the two vehicles.
This will be the size of two open doors plus another 10–15 cm of clearance, as a result, according to the maximum values - 3.4 + 1.2 + 0.9 = 5.5. To this value you need to add all our shelves and additional space. Let them occupy 30 cm on each side, then the total will be - 6.1 m. The total depth with the condition of having shelves or a table against the far wall will vary from 5.5 m. Dimensions will be increased if you plan to put not only cars.
Now the height of the gate. The main indicator is your height + some gap of 15-20 cm. The width of one gate is the width of the car + 40-50 cm on each side for a stress-free check-in. If it is planned that a minibus will be parked in the garage, then consider its size + 10–15 cm of additional space. The ceiling height is from 2.5 m. If you plan to make a storage room or a sauna, then you need to add the length of this room to the total length.
It's hard to say which size is right for you, but with averages, you can now go from there. We would be interested to know what kind of project you have turned out. We are waiting for your suggestions and feedback!
Video
In this video, the owner shows his possessions - a garage for 2 cars, which he just moved into:
At first glance, the size of a garage for 2 cars is determined by a simple addition of the parameters of a single box. But when comparing the dimensions of both options, a discrepancy is noticed. There are standard room layouts designed for models of increased demand. You can also independently calculate the required area according to the dimensions of your own machines. It is important to provide options for the placement of ancillary areas.
The proportions of a two-car garage are different from a one-car garage
Double Mini Garage Standard
In garage cooperatives, construction is carried out according to the standard - a box for 1 car has an area of 6 × 4 m.
For the construction of a garage for two cars, the dimensions will become 6 × 8 with the automatic transfer of the standard, an empty space will appear if the equipment is a small car. And for a jeep, the length will simply not be enough. Therefore, the standard dimensions of a garage for 2 cars must be calculated.
This video shows how to build a garage with your own hands:
Based on the parameters of a typical parking space: length ≥5.5 m, width ≥2.4. Garage planning rules prescribe to take into account the most inconvenient situation when a driver and passengers are boarded in one of the models at the same time:
- The distance between the cars is determined by the open door with the addition of 10 cm for parking inaccuracies. According to the experience of owners who have 2 cars standing next to each other, a gap of 0.9 m ensures the safe opening of the passenger compartment.
- The gap from the side walls of the garage to the surface of the car is taken in a size sufficient for a person to leave the equipment: 0.6-0.8 m.
- The gap between the end parts of the car and the gates or racks is set within 0.5-0.6 m.
- The height of the garage box is determined from a person's height of 1.8 m with the addition of 20 cm. In practice, the space under the ceiling is used to place shelves for storing wheels with rubber. The recommended distance from the base to the ceiling is 2.5 m.
Based on these promises, the optimal dimensions of a garage for 2 cars are set depending on the class of the car: for small cars - L × W = 5.5 × 5; minibus and SUV - 6.8 × 7 m. For practical reasons, these dimensions are rounded up to 6 × 5 and 7 × 7 m, respectively.
Determining the size of the building
The dimensions of the garage for 2 cars established above take into account the interior space in terms of accommodating cars. This is not enough to start construction, it is necessary to clarify the dimensions for the specific needs of the owner for finding other equipment in the room, shelving, registration of the entrance to the garage, as well as for the thickness of the walls of the building. It is necessary to draw a plan indicating the gates, doors and windows, areas for the installation of equipment, racks, furniture.
It's hard to say whether it's good or bad to have two cars instead of one. It seems good, prestigious somehow. On the other hand, extra costs for repairs and refueling. But the fact remains - if there are two vehicles, then for each of them you need to build a separate garage or make one double. In this case, both cars will be side by side, and there is only one room. After all, if you rent parking spaces in the city, it is not always possible to find two adjacent ones in one cooperative.
Before you build a garage for two cars, we recommend that you read this article.
Creating a project (plan)
Before you start building, you need to know the dimensions of your car.
Let's start with their length. The length of the garage should take into account the dimensions of a larger car. For example, if it is planned to drive a car for cargo transportation and a passenger car there, then it is clear that in terms of volume, the carrier (for example, a Gazelle or the same Ford) will be both longer and higher than a foreign car of a passenger type.
What do you need to know when creating a two-vehicle garage plan? On the plan, it is necessary to mark the locations of windows, doors, gates, in addition, the place for their opening (outward) should be taken into account. The length of the building should not be exactly equal to the car, because you still need to go to the gate and close it (if it is hinged). And to do this, if the hood of the car is practically near them, is not convenient.
Garage for two cars can be of the following type:
- single section;
- into two sections.
The first option is convenient only if there is where to turn around. In this case, the building will look like this: four walls, one gate (on the edge or in the center), several windows at the request of the customer and a door (into the courtyard or right at the gate). At the same time, this is not very convenient if the room is small - in order to drive out the car standing at the end, you will have to go to the one that is on the edge. Then you need to put this machine in place. The inconvenience is overwhelming!
A garage will look much better, in which there are two gates for the arrival of each car. Moreover, between them you can put a partition with a doorway. In addition, if the overall dimensions of the cars are different, the garages for each of them may have a common roof, but different sizes, or even vary in height.
Construction begins with the construction of the foundation. You can dig trenches under it, in which foundation blocks will be placed or a pre-reinforced concrete mixture will be poured. If you plan to make a repair pit or basement, then it is worth digging a foundation pit, also using concrete blocks.
The load on the foundation is calculated based on the following data:
- the thickness of the walls and the material from which they are made;
- floor weight (wooden trusses, concrete slabs or something else);
- the presence (if provided) of a crane beam.
The walls are built from materials such as brick, shell stone, cement blocks, foam blocks and similar material. You can immediately leave holes in them for ventilation, exhausts and, if any, sewerage and water supply (if you plan to make repairs in the garage, you will need to wash your hands there or rinse the parts from sand).
It would be nice to make an armored belt along the top of the walls. This is a special design that will give them strength. It is made by pouring concrete into the formwork installed on top, with the laying of a reinforced frame. If wooden trusses are provided as a roof, you can pre-install embedded parts for them in the armored belt.
As a roof, as mentioned, floor slabs are suitable, they can be ordered or made by yourself, as well as wooden trusses, on which a coating (slate, corrugated board, metal tile) will be laid on the crate. If it is decided to lay slabs, then they must either be tarred (grease with bitumen or something like that) or covered with trusses. Now it has become popular to use metal trusses. With proper anti-corrosion treatment, they become more durable than wood, which is susceptible to rot and termites.
Finishing
After electrical work, you can do the finishing. The ceiling can be whitewashed (painted), covered with pressed wooden sheets, and a suspended ceiling can be installed. The main thing is that it does not deteriorate from dampness, which to a certain extent will still be present in the garage. The walls are plastered and covered with a thin layer of putty. Then they are painted with water-based paint or ceramic tiles are glued on them. Floor - a cement-sand screed is made to level it. You can also put a stable tile on it that will not crack under the weight of the car (but by no means slippery).
Gates, if they are made by hand, are best insulated and sewn up, and the metal is primed and painted over. If they are automatic, then nothing is needed. You can insulate the walls (foam sheets, 50mm thick), then apply a reinforcing mesh and exterior finish (bark beetle, plaster or something else). As a result, we get a comfortable and warm garage, in which it will be convenient to put two of our cars.
And how did you build a garage for two cars? What materials were used for the walls and finishes, what foundation was laid? Share your experience with our readers by leaving comments.
Video
Something I have deprived men of my attention! But they also want to have their own cave shelter in the country and I don’t see a better option than building a garage - a workshop. So, men do not like long introductions, so let's get straight to the plans. On the first floor we see a two-storey garage with a studio room. Comfortable, one might even say, perfect! Dimensions are in feet and inches, use calculator to convert to cm.
Simple small beautiful garage for your country house
Garages in summer cottages are usually built separately from the house, as space allows. Look what a beautiful stylish garage project I found! Small, compact, beautiful! There is even a canopy with a bench for relaxing.
Garage for two cars with attic
This is a real male nook, with living quarters on the second floor. The garage itself is for two cars. If the space of the site allows, then such a garage can be considered the standard of a male home.
All dimensions are in feet and inches. Convert to centimeters on special services on the network - it's not difficult.
Neat garage project 3 by 8 meters with living space on the second floor. A feature of this option is a balcony.
The stairs to the second floor of the garage are located on the street, on the side. In the garage itself there is a hozblok. On the second floor there is a living room with a kitchen, as well as a bedroom and a bathroom with a bathtub. In fact, this is a complete house for a bachelor! or a secluded place for a man who wants to relax.
Well, a few views of the second floor:
Cons of a warm garage in winter
By the way, there is an opinion that a car rots in a warm garage. This is true, so it is better not to do heating in the lower room. A warm home garage can cause car aging in winter, since it is in winter that salt and other chemical elements are everywhere sprinkled on roads.
This is because in a closed and heated room, the machine starts to thaw. Splashes and salt residues thaw and the body quickly corrodes.
A car protected from the weather with only one roof or the walls of a free-standing cold garage will be used much longer. You should not build a warm garage just because the car will start faster in the heat.
In this case, it is easier to install an electric heating system in the car. This will save both nerves and finances. If you already have a built-in garage, then it is better to make a guest room or a gym out of it.
Scheme of a simple garage made of foam blocks
If you need a simple foam block garage, then here are the standard sizes for you. There is nothing special to paint here, the plan is extremely simple.
A more beautiful version of the foam block garage
A worthy project of a foam block garage for one car. Practical roof construction, two windows, a small sitting room also with a window.
Video from the masonry master - a cinder block garage in 2 days
In addition to the plan of the foam block garage, I recommend that you get acquainted with the video in which the masonry master shows and tells how they built a garage for a friend in two days. The video is lively, interesting, the construction process is shown with humor and obscenity.
Construction of a cold garage
When building a cold garage, special attention should be paid to the thermal insulation of the room. Indeed, if warm air enters the cold surface of the garage walls, moisture will begin to condense and drain to the floor.
The gates will also be covered with droplets of water that will fall into locks or thresholds, and this, in winter conditions, can lead to the fact that the garage simply does not open in the morning. Constantly wet metal elements will quickly begin to rust.
The project of a two-story garage 8 by 8 for 2 cars
This option is more strict, unlike the first one, which, in my opinion, is more beautiful for women. Men, I know, all these decorations are useless, however, since we are talking about a garage at the house, then women's opinion should also be taken into account. This project is a 2 car garage with a residential second floor.
How to improve the thermal insulation properties of the garage
The walls of the box are made of foam blocks. The roof should also be insulated. The garage door should also be insulated with sheet foam, the thickness of which is 4 - 6 cm, then upholstered with plywood or wooden clapboard. It will be easier to insulate the garage from the inside with full sheathing of OSB boards 16 - 22 mm thick.
The project of a two-story garage 4 by 8 meters for 1 car
Here is a simpler project for a two-story one-car garage. I'm even envious - such pretty functional houses - on the second floor there is a shower room where you can wash off the dirt, a kitchenette and a relaxation room where you can sit with friends and cheer for your favorite sports team.
Video - garage workshop with attic
An interesting video from Forumhouse about how a man built himself a garage - a workshop with an attic. Finding nothing suitable in the search, he decided to build according to an individual plan. See the story and description of the construction of this structure from the author.
Ventilation
With the help of supply and exhaust openings, we make natural ventilation of the garage. Holes should also have the main structures of the garage - ceilings, walls, partitions, doors.
These holes are best placed diagonally from each other. Supply openings should be located 20 - 25 cm above the floor, and exhaust 10 - 15 cm below the ceiling. All holes should not exceed 0.3% of the total area of the garage in area, otherwise it will be bad to pull.
The project of a budget two-story garage
This project is designed for one car, as well as a free layout of the second floor. With a budget performance on the second floor, a single space for a closet, or a full-fledged recreation area for a man, can be organized.
Shed instead of garage
If you decide to limit yourself to only a canopy for your car, then you should remember that you must ensure the proper strength of the support legs. This is especially important during winter snowfalls, when the roof must withstand significant loads.
The project of a one-story garage 8 by 8 meters for 2 cars
And this is already a project on one floor, but for two cars, or one, but with a large space for a workshop. I repeat that all dimensions in feet and inches, you can convert to centimeters yourself.
Video review of the garage
If you are interested in how to optimize the space of your garage, I advise you to watch a video from Eugene, who built himself a garage with an attic with his own hands. The author tells and shows his garage for diagnostics and work with customers' cars. that is, it is a truly professional car repair shop.
By the way, I was interested in the project of a garage with a bathhouse. I don’t know about you guys, but it already seems like a bit of a bust to me. You have enough shower cabin, and make a bath for the whole family 🙂
