Garage Size

Doug Smith

Contributing Member
Ok, so I just bought a new house on a few acres. First things first, when the old house I am going to build a new garage. Currently thinking about 36x36. Three cars wide and at least two deep. But also thinking about saving some money and not making it quite as deep. Maybe 36x24? Wanted to get some opinions from some of you on what works well or doesn't work well about the size of your garages. That's right - a thread looking for opinions, this one should be on fire!
 
Hmmm...

Well first of all Herb has three cars ::)

And second, Elder had one 3x2 and look what happened there.

Bottom line: probably need at least a ten-car wide by 2 deep plus a machine shop and a compressor room and a parts mezzanine and...

Could be fun!

Tom
 
24 deep is marginal. Many pickup trucks are 18-19 feet long so not much room left for a 2ft deep workbench (standard kitchen base cabinet dimension) and space to walk. Doable but marginal.
 
What? ...24' deep? ....36' x 36'? ....are you out of your mind?

First, you need space for your Cobra, Herb's Cobra, Mustang and Trailer!
Second, you need work space, room for 2 and 4 post lifts
Third, you need space for Man cave stuff, TV, Refrigerator, chairs,bathroom etc.
Fourth, you need space for work bench, slop sink, parts storage, compressor, bead blaster, press.

Anything less than a 5 door 30' deep is not going to cut it. If Amish only builds 3 door garages, then build two.

Here's some ideas I found on the WEB...

ultimate garage.jpg

ultimate garage2.jpg

ultimate garage3.jpg

ultimate garage4.jpg
 
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Not all of us are as wealthy as elder!!!
I have both a 36x24 and 36x26. Usually stick frame comes in 4ft increments, but since i built my own and went with custom trusses, i could easily go with 26. First it depends on how your going to use garage. As said truck doesn't work well with 24 depth unless garage is just for storing cars. My 26 allows truck with work bench in front. Also 3-9 ft wide doors will take up most of that 36 ft and require a side entry door. I also have 14ft ceiling using leg trusses, allows truck to go full up on lift. If you want to come by and see both, let me know and maybe you can get your dad out of the house at the same time.
 
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Tom - yes, the thinking with 36x36 was to have room for Dad to have some cars there too. I do have it currently spec'ed out to have parts storage upstairs in the loft that could optionally be finished in the future.

Craig - good point on the depth. Jim - I'll check them out, thanks.
 
Not all of us are as wealthy as elder!!!
I have both a 36x24 and 36x26. Usually stick frame comes in 4ft increments, but since i built my own and went with custom trusses, i could easily go with 26. First it depends on how your going to use garage. As said truck doesn't work well with 24 depth unless garage is just for storing cars. My 26 allows truck with work bench in front. Also 3-8 ft wide doors will take up most of that 36 ft and require a side entry door. I also have 14ft ceiling using leg trusses, allows truck to go full up on lift. If you want to come by and see both, let me know and maybe you can get your dad out of the house at the same time.

Ken -

I might take you up on that offer, thank you. I'll see if I can get Dad to come along for the trip.
 
I do suggest you draw a floor plan to scale and insert the footprint of the vehicles and stuff you plan to keep in it.
It should dictate the overall space you need.
 
What Scott said ... I did that for my build on graph paper for 1 to 1 scale. Was able to make scale size cars and lifts all the way to tool benchs etc. Its nice to get a general layout of the build in 2D before I spent the time building it in 3D in Sketch Up.
 
Planning is a good idea, but nothing beats the real thing. Maybe a virtual reality program. OBTW 36 ft depth will practically get 2 cars bumper to bumper with no real room in front or back. And as always, its cheaper to build it bigger the first time and you will eventually fill it up whatever size you build. Need to answer, what are you going to use it for, how much room do you have to build it and how much do you want to spend. The rest will flow from that. Some of us don't have unlimited funding, so we have to be realist. :coolsmiley:
 
Tom - yes, the thinking with 36x36 was to have room for Dad to have some cars there too. I do have it currently spec'ed out to have parts storage upstairs in the loft that could optionally be finished in the future.
Craig - good point on the depth. Jim - I'll check them out, thanks.
If you make it deep enough to store the car trailer, you can ask Dad to give you the rent he's saving.::)
Sorry Herb, didn't mean to throw you under the bus.
 
People always plan for cars and lifts but they forget about workbenches and buffer space around cars. I usually add 2-3 feet to what I need so I have space for benches or large shelving around the perimeter. Nothing sucks more then packing a garage then not having space to even walk around it with out hit cars etc.
 
Planning is a good idea, but nothing beats the real thing. Maybe a virtual reality program. OBTW 36 ft depth will practically get 2 cars bumper to bumper with no real room in front or back. And as always, its cheaper to build it bigger the first time and you will eventually fill it up whatever size you build. Need to answer, what are you going to use it for, how much room do you have to build it and how much do you want to spend. The rest will flow from that. Some of us don't have unlimited funding, so we have to be realist. :coolsmiley:

"It's the stingy man who pays the most."

Make it plenty big from the beginning. It only costs a little more up front - much, MUCH less than expanding it later, and dealing with the years of frustration and, "I wish I'd made it big enough for this and that."
 
Make it plenty big from the beginning. It only costs a little more up front - much, MUCH less than expanding it later, and dealing with the years of frustration and, "I wish I'd made it big enough for this and that."
Couldn't agree more...who knew 6 wasn't enough?
 
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