Keep prying eyes out of your garage when you have two garage doors and only need to open one. With the Princeton P-12 design, that’s exactly what you can do. These garage doors are pictured with iron ore walnut and ice white overlays, as well as panoramic lite windows (8 on each door).
Of course, your dream garage isn’t just going to magically appear. You’ve got to start with a plan and that plan includes many crucial decisions that will impact your finished design. Not only will you feel like you’re a part of the process, but you’ll learn a lot more about garage doors and garage door openers.
Technical considerations come first with size
Appearance is great, but garage doors need to function first and foremost. Otherwise, they’ll never deliver what you need. When you consider quality garage doors can last over two decades, you should make sure that you choose a practical, high-quality model.
Take your time so that you can see what’s out there and figure out which doors fit your needs. That will make the rest of the process go smoothly because you know what you want and what best fits your space.
When you’re choosing between single doors or 1 double garage door, there are some things that you need to keep in mind.
● Vehicles and garage sizing
Your first considerations are the size of the garage itself and the type (and size) of vehicles that you’ll want to store inside. For example, you’ll need 18 x 22 feet (at least) for two medium vehicles. And, to gain access from the front, you’ll need two single doors that are a bit wider.
NOTE: There are plans with the ideal garage dimensions that can help you choose your door style by helping you get a visual idea of what it will look like to install single or double doors. This comes from House Plan Helpers, and it also includes a list of the possible residential garage door sizes. This can give you a better idea of calculating the size of your garage based on what vehicles you need to park.
● Climate and temperature considerations
A double garage door lets a lot more air into and out of the garage when compared to two single doors. If you live somewhere that’s extremely cold (or hot) you’ll want to think about how to keep your garage more temperate and what two single doors can do.
To make sure that you get the perfect door both for style and substance, you’ll want to consult with a garage door specialist before you make any decisions.
Use two single garage doors when…
The warm charcoal colour on these Vog design, 9' x 7' garage doors blends well with the rest of the home, and Harmony, left-side layout windows let in plenty of natural light.
You need a practical solution
There’s always practicality to be had in two separate garage doors. Perhaps your garage door stops working for some reason—if you’ve got a double door, you can’t go anywhere. If, however, you have two single doors, you’ll have one that will at least function until you get the other fixed. Depending on the layout of your garage, you might even be able to get the “blocked” car out with a little maneuvering.
When you have more than one driver in the home, swapping car positions is often something that comes with the territory. However, if you choose two garage bays with single doors, everyone can leave whenever they need to because the cars are parked side-by-side.
And if you’re concerned about privacy, two single garage doors can help there, too. Open only the door you need to use and keep prying eyes away from your clutter, or even your home gym or office.
Catalogues and the Internet offer a lot of great design options. Check out this unique guide from HGTV that discusses 30 garage organization and conversion ideas. Let your imagination run wild and create your perfect space.
5 simple steps to converting your garage into a fitness room can teach you everything you need to know about creating a great fitness room in your garage, courtesy of The Spruce. Image credit to Pexels.
You need durable options
Instead of opening a double door four times a day, single doors allow you to only open one at a time, which reduces the number of yearly cycles. This helps increase the longevity and durability of single garage doors comparatively.
You want better insulation
No one wants higher utility bills because their garage is poorly insulated. If you live somewhere with cold winters, heavy rains, or even extreme heat, you’ll want to limit the transfer of air between spaces. With two doors, you can ensure that less of the outside gets in, and vice versa.
Don’t forget that a double garage door creates a much larger area that’s exposed to the elements, whether it be rain, cold, or snow. Make sure that you choose a well-insulated model recommended by a garage door expert that understands what R-value you require. If you want to see for yourself, check out this estimator here.
It’s all about balance and these doors display that perfectly. Having two garage doors that match the color of the home gives a much better look. The claystone doors with ice white overlays measure 9' x 7' and include eight windows. This is the Eastman E-21 model.
Choose a double garage door when…
Transform your driveway and your home with a double garage door. In this picture, you see the Moderno Multi garage door with left-side harmony windows and a chocolate walnut finish. Dimensions measure 16 x 8 feet.
You need extra living space or flexible space
Choosing a double garage door can also affect how you use your garage space. Perhaps you’ll park in the middle and use the space on either side of the car. You could also park two cars or trucks as needed, or when the weather is going to be less than pleasant.
It’s all about flexibility and a double door can help you see all the storage space and potential of the rest of the garage. Plus, you’re not alone. With the 55 ideas for practical and aesthetically pleasing storage of your belongings from HGTV, you’ll be able to get inspired to create the perfect space in no time.
Check out the North Hatley LP garage door in Moka Brown, measuring 16' x 8', and featuring vertical Orion windows. Even in the dusk and nighttime hours, a two-car door could make a big statement.
You want less maintenance
A garage door is not difficult to maintain, in most cases, but it does take time. For those who choose a double door, you’ll have less maintenance and it will also take up less of your time. If you choose two single doors, you’ll have two doors, two sets of springs and tracks, two garage door openers, two cables… you get the point. That means twice as much work.
The good news is that you can reduce the amount of maintenance by using a lubricant for the hardware and another for the PVC parts of the garage door. You’ll find them in local retail stores or even online. You should request help from a professional or consider reviews to be sure you get the best lubricant.
At least once a year, we recommend that you have a specialist come to perform a tune-up on your garage door and its door opener. Someone that can inspect the entire garage door system, including the door itself, will help it stay in great shape for years to come. A professional can also find problems or broken parts that you haven’t noticed.
Look at all the space you get with a double door, thanks to models like the Standard+ Shaker-Modern XL garage door that’s 16' x 8' and comes in iron ore walnut with sandblasted windows. It also coordinates well with the Soho entry door model from Novatech's.
And don’t forget about a garage door opener
You will find that when you have a powerful, long-lasting garage door opener, it is much easier to just enjoy the space. Double garage doors are much heavier, so they will require a higher-quality and higher-powered garage door opener. You have to remember that when you’re comparing openers. Two single doors can be lighter and can be much cheaper because you can install a basic opener model instead of something high-end.
Wondering why LiftMaster is so popular? For starters, the brand is the high-end subsidy of the Chamberlain Group, which is an international leader in garage door opener technology and systems. Their newest doors even feature myQ technology, which offers remote garage door monitoring and management, too, which gives you even more to love.
With this app, no matter where you are, you’ll always know what’s going on in the garage. From the school pick-up line to your vacation holiday, your garage door is only a click away. And, you can even set up notifications to let you know when there’s movement or an opening attempt.
Opening a garage door is just one of the 9 uses for a smart LiftMaster garage door opener myQ technology ensures that you never miss a thing.
So, what’s going to fit your needs best?
To choose the best door, you’ll want to consider space, including width and height, along with the budget that you have in mind and the door size that you prefer (two singles or a double, as well as the actual measurements). These are all questions you need to consider to make the right decision.
Of course, it’s about a lot more than just pushing a button to open the garage. You can find a host of features and benefits that come with installing a new garage door opener, which is why we always recommend that you speak with our specialists so you can get a clear explanation of LiftMaster garage door openers and their differences.
So, now that you’ve got the insight, what garage door(s) would you like to see on your home?
No matter which garage door option you select, the final decision is in your hands because it will be YOUR garage door that is installed at your home.
Of course, we do suggest that you work with a garage door technician that can help you through the purchase and design process to ensure that your door meets all your needs.
Stop dreaming and start designing your new door now
We know that looks matter and here at The Garage Door Store, we have an impressive selection of the latest brands for residential garage doors that are always designed with quality in mind. In addition to other categories, these doors are grouped into 3 trendy styles: Traditional, Carriage House, and Contemporary.
Custom is the name of the game at our Design Centre! You can design your dream garage by trying out the different doors, mixing and matching finishes, colours, and other features, and provide a truly one-of-a-kind experience for every homeowner. The visualization helps greatly and there’s even a budget planning tool to ensure that you don’t fall in love with something that you can’t afford. If you find what you like, request a free quote through email.
Installation? Maintenance? Repairs? Yeah, we do that
The Garage Door Store offers plenty of assistance with all of your installation, maintenance, and even repair needs. Our friendly, reliable team of technicians is available to help with anything that you need, so reach out to 705-327-7408. We’ll be at your beck and call, so let us know what you need right away.
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