December 16, 2016

Single Vs. Double Garage Doors – Which Should I Choose?

single or double

Each house comes equipped with its own unique style of architecture. Not all houses are alike, and therefore not all facades can be decorated in the same way. Some designers may suggest a single wide garage door, while others might recommend the idea of two single garage doors for your facade. How can you decide which design is right for you?

Read our ideas and suggestions for insights on how to make the best decision for your new garage door project. These tips can ensure that you will meet the needs of your house’s basic architectural function and style while giving you the new design that you’ve always wanted.

Step 1: Check the Width

Is your house attached or detached? Are you parking one or two cars inside? These considerations can change the way you design your garage’s front door. For garages that park two cars, it is ideal to look for a size that matches 18 feet (5.5m) wide by 22 feet (6.7m) deep.

Make sure to think about the size of the vehicle or vehicles that you will be parking in the garage as well. If you want two single doors as opposed to a wide door, you will want to make sure the 9‑foot‑wide doors (2.7m) can fit in a garage of at least 24 feet (7.3m) of width in size. You’ll also most likely want storage space inside the garage as well, so make sure to factor that in along with the size of the cars.

Step 2: Learn to Be Prepared

There are several alternative factors that must be taken into consideration as well. Before investing money into your new door project, think about the practical assessments and risks associated with a garage:

  • Temperature. How much natural air flows into your garage? Does it get too cold in the winter, or too humid during the summer months? The type of garage door you install can drastically change what type of air flows into your garage. Two single garage doors will keep cold air out much better than a large door will, so it might be best to consider two single garage doors if you want to keep a tab on your heating bill during the winter.

    The same can be said about humidity during the summer. A bigger garage door provides for more air flow, and during the summer this may be able to reduce the amount of air conditioning you need. Consider what the temperatures are like during extreme seasons in your area in order to best make your choice.

  • What will happen if your garage door malfunctions? What if your large double‑size garage door has a break in the torsion spring and you are unable to get the door open for a long period of time? Your cars may be stuck in there for quite a while. With two single doors, even in the cause of a malfunction, it is likely that one of them would still be able to open and you can access your vehicle.
  • Triple cars? Do you have three cars? Would you like a three‑car garage with plenty of space? Typically, a large double door and a single door are the best applications for three‑car doors. Three single doors may prove too impractical and too difficult to maneuver with three vehicles and storage space.

    A triple garage door may be difficult to design as well. If you’re looking for a triple‑car wide door, you will need a custom designer. The garage must be at least 900 square feet (or 84 square metres) in size to accommodate a third size.

The Impact of Appearance

A professional architect and garage door designer can give you an idea of what looks good and what doesn’t. Sometimes a single door design is far more complimentary to the facade of the house and its overall landscape than a double door. There are some general tips that most designers will agree on:

  • If your garage is on the front of the house, facing the street, two single doors will look better than one double door. The double door may be too overbearing to people looking directly at it, and people on the street will be drawn to the door before they notice the rest of the house.
  • If you are set on a double door design, there are several things you can do to soften its look and add style and creativity to the front of your house. Try installing a pergola or growing plants around the sides of the garage door. Add potted plants and trees to the front, or on each side of the door for added depth and color.
  • Consider a carriage‑house style. This popular style is perfect for smaller garage doors that are 8 or 9 feet (about 2‑3 meters) in size, adding a vintage style that creates charm and an inviting appearance to the entire facade.

What Are My Prices?

Now that the designs are in place, it’s time to think about what a custom garage door project will cost. Comparatively, the cost is nearly the same between two single doors or a large double door style. One of the factors that comes with the biggest expenses is the electric garage door opener. If you are interested in two doors, you may need two electric openers. The equipment, plus the carpentry installation may prove costlier than one large door.

Whichever style of door you choose, make sure that you invest in a well‑balanced counterweight system for ease of access. Make sure your door isn’t too heavy to be opened smoothly by the electric opener. A weight of 8 to 10 pounds, or 3.5 – 4.5 kilograms, is usually preferred. Make sure that nothing is in the way of an opening or closing garage door for several safety reasons.

Are You Ready for Your Garage Door Project?

If you’ve made your decision on which style of garage door to choose, or if you need more help or information to guide you along the way, contact us at 1-800-696-1926 to speak with one of our representatives. We’d be happy to help you explain the garage door market and give you some more design and door ideas to best suit your needs. We can also accept online requests for a free quotation based on your budget.

To get a virtual glimpse of what your next garage door could look like, visit our interactive design center to choose from a wide range of designs and custom accents. Feel free to browse our image gallery as well to see what past projects we’ve completed and what designs other customers have created for their own projects.

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