what size should garage doors be?

Gates

Car owners periodically face the question of which gate is best to use for installation in private garages. The construction market offers a large selection of designs, but for small spaces it is recommended to use overhead gates (HL).

Lift gates

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.

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.

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.

DIY installation

It is advisable to carry out installation on both sides simultaneously to avoid distortion of the structure.
The finished frame is covered with a shield and finishing material. The base is made from a corner, and 2 holes are drilled in one shelf of the profile for fastening to the racks.

Further actions:

Three holes are formed in the lower shelf for fixing the spring and three more for attaching the channel bracket.
The spring and bracket are connected by an adjusting metal strip. A tension coordinator made of a steel rod is fixed to the bottom of the spring.

One side is made in the form of a ring, a thread is cut on the second, and the hinge unit is formed using an angle with a hole. The device is welded in the middle of the frame between the bottom edge and the lifting arm. A plate with a hole for the coordinator is welded to the end of the lever. The rails are made from two corners so that the distance between opposite vertical shelves is 5 cm.

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.

Pros and cons of the design

The following is worth saying in favor of a garage door lifting mechanism:

To lift, you do not need a lot of free space outside or inside the room. Space under the ceiling is used.
The one-piece fabric will provide reliable protection against intruders.
The sash must be insulated with various heat insulators (expanded polystyrene, polystyrene foam, mineral wool).
Exterior decoration and decoration are allowed.
The product can be equipped with automation.
It is possible to install lifting sheets not only in single but also double garages.

Among the disadvantages:

When open, the height of the opening decreases.
Installation is recommended only in rectangular openings.
Cannot be partially repaired. If damaged, the entire canvas will have to be replaced.
The load on the gate must be strictly observed. Incorrect calculation when choosing a finished product or when making it yourself will lead to a reduction in its service life.

Craftsmen note that making a lifting mechanism at home is many times more difficult than swing gates. Errors in calculations and during assembly are unacceptable here. Therefore, without experience, you need to do this under the strict guidance of specialists or completely entrust the installation to them.

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.

Advantages and disadvantages of PV

PVs are in great demand among buyers because:

durable and solid fabric prevents hackers from breaking into and entering the garage;
for their manufacture, a material is used that is resistant to corrosion processes and can retain its original properties for a long time;
take up very little space, so can be used even in small garages;
after installation they can be sheathed and insulated;
You can use a manual or automatic opening system.

PVs look original in a double garage.
The disadvantages of the design include:

Possibility of use in a rectangular opening;
reducing the height of the opening by almost twenty centimeters;
impossibility of repairing the problem area of the canvas due to its integrity;
the gate springs are selected specifically for the weight of the structure, so after insulating the door leaf there is a possibility that they will not be able to perform their functions normally, and additional counterweights will have to be installed;
the presence of gaps between the opening and the gate, which additionally need to be sealed with a rubber seal.

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.

Rule 1. The ceiling decides everything.

What kind of ceiling do you have? This is how communication begins with a person who has decided to order sectional doors. The fact is that to place the gate structure, space is required on the right, left, and most of all, above the opening. And yes, this place above the gate opening is the lintel.

That same notorious lintel.
What it should be depends on the following parameters

Your opening is up to 8m2

For small domestic garage doors up to 8m2

tension springs are installed.
The height of the lintel must be at least 100mm
(for manual lifting) and
125mm
for gates with a drive. This is in theory. But in practice, in order not to catch millimeters, do 150mm.

An example of a gate with tension springs. You can see how little space the gate takes up above the opening.

Your opening is larger than 8m2

An example of a door with torsion springs. Much more space is required above the opening.

Do you want to build a gate

All gates with a wicket, regardless of size, require a lintel of at least 210mm

, (standard installation).

Gates with a wicket always come with torsion springs.

What to do if you have a high (more than a meter) ceiling?

If you have a ceiling of 500 mm or more, you are incredibly lucky, and you have access to the so-called high installation, when the gate first rises as close as possible to the ceiling, and only then leaves parallel to the ceiling. See the picture, it’s clearer.

High installation. Factory drawing.

Advantage: the gate does not hang over your head, no long hangers are needed.

Disadvantages: high lift is not available in all series, and for it you need to pay an additional 8% of the cost of the gate.

What to do if you have a low (less than 210mm) ceiling?

What if you have a ceiling less than 210mm, but need a gate larger than 8m2, or need a wicket? Low installation will help you

This is when the shaft with springs is located at the back, deep in the garage (see picture). In this case, the minimum size of the lintel will be 100-130mm, depending on the type of control.

Disadvantage: surcharge of 5%.

Low installation. Factory drawing.

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.

Control method

We have already touched upon this issue indirectly in previous paragraphs. Now let's generalize. According to the control method, garage doors are divided into:

with a manual control system , when you have to open and close using your own force. You won’t have to strain yourself too much anyway, since the lifting mechanisms of any gate take on the main load. Such gates are cheaper, many consider them more reliable;
with an electric drive that takes the entire load upon itself. This is convenient, and in the event of a lack of electricity, they can be easily opened and closed manually, the main thing is that there is an additional entrance to the room to unlock the automation. An alternative is to have a backup power source. Depending on the control method, automatic gates can be: with a button , which is located on the wall. Not the best option both from a security and convenience point of view. To open the gate, you will have to get out of the car. This option is only suitable as a backup in case the remote control is lost;
with a remote control that transmits a signal to the gate drive. You can open and close the gate from a car or from home - the main thing is to be within the range of the receiver. In this convenience lies the main disadvantage - cheap automation is often not equipped with coding systems and the signal can be easily intercepted, so it is better to choose the most secure systems from European manufacturers. It is advisable to have a remote control with the ability to change the frequency of signal transmission, since if several devices close to each other operate at the same frequency, then complete confusion will result, and this is quite possible if the neighbors on the site have automatic gates;
controlled via smartphone . It does not use a radio signal, but satellite communication. The application will also allow you to view the current status of your garage door. Convenient, because you don’t have to have a remote control, it’s functional, but expensive.

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.

How PVs work

An undeniable advantage of the PV is its simple working mechanism. You need to take a steel frame and place it in the garage opening or behind it. This will be the leading part of the structure. When performing the procedure yourself, you need to take metal pipes with a straight cross-section.

The opening of the PV is ensured by the use of lifting levers and a mechanism that moves the canvas along the guide posts (NS) and fixes it at the top. The bottom of the canvas rises and forms a visor. At this moment the springs are completely relaxed.

The opening mechanism can be hinged-lever or counterweighted. The first one is simple and reliable. It is more in demand because there is no possibility of the system blocking, and the canvas moves very easily along a given path. The main condition for the normal functionality of the structure is the correct tension of the springs and installation of the NS.

Control on counterweights involves attaching a cable to the bottom of the frame and passing it through the block and counterweight. This method is suitable for heavy gates.

PV with visor

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.

Wall material

We recommend making the opening from solid materials: concrete, natural stone, solid brick.

If the opening is made from hollow materials, we recommend decorating the opening with a structure made of a metal shaped profile.

If the opening is made of hollow materials, and its modification is not possible, then the installation of the gate is carried out using specialized hardware (dowels for gas silicate, expanded clay concrete blocks, etc.). For such cases, ALUTECH Group offers special fasteners from one of the world leaders - the Fischer company (Germany).

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.