2 Single Doors or 1 Double Garage Door: Which Is Right for Your Home?

These garage doors are in the Princeton P-12 design, 9' x 8', Iron Ore Walnut doors and Ice White overlays, 8 lite Panoramic windows.

Regain your privacy in style! Limit the amount others can see inside your garage with two separate doors. Pictured here are the Princeton P-12 design garage doors, 9' x 8'. The Iron Ore Walnut and Ice White overlays add classic beauty, featuring 8 lite Panoramic windows for natural light.

Choosing a new garage door can be daunting! There are lots of options out there, and you want your garage to look and function at its best. Your garage door and opener type are crucial choices you will need to make carefully.

Considering some technical restrictions before making any decisions for your garage door size

Beyond the aesthetic of a garage door, what’s important is its functionality. What qualifies as good functionality of the door is unique to you because everyone has different lifestyles and needs. A well-kept garage door can last more than 25 years. Since this investment offers so much longevity, it’s important that you make the correct purchase for your lifestyle upfront.

Below are some constraints that may influence your decision to install 2 single doors or 1 double garage door:

1. Size of your garage and size of vehicle(s)

The overall size of your garage along with the type of vehicles you will park in it greatly influences which door is right for you. For example, if you know you will beparking 2 medium size vehicles, your garage must be at least 18 feet wide by 22 feet deep.

You can locate plans with the ideal garage dimensions for single, double, or triple garage doors on the House Plans Helper's website. You can also take a look at all of the possible residential garage door sizes.

2. Your local weather

You may not consider the weather while deciding on a garage door, but you should. A double garage door might not be the best choice if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures. The act of leaving one large door open will allow more outside air to enter your garage and eventually your home.

3. Storage space

If you are someone who intends to use your garage as extra storage for tools, equipment, etc., you will want to factor those preferences in when trying to decide on a garage door style.

There is a lot to consider. You don’t want to accidentally overlook any important aspects of your design. A professional can help you ensure you are making the right choice.

Are 2 single garage doors the best choice for me?

These garage doors are the Vog design, 9' x 7', Charcoal, window layout: Left-side Harmony.

The sleek Charcoal color of these garage doors harmonizes well with the warm wood finishes and beige tone of the 2 entrances. These garage doors are the Vog design, 9' x 7', Charcoal, with a modern Left-side Harmony window layout.

Practicality And Functionality

Having two garage doors that function independently will prove useful in many situations! If one stops functioning, you can use the other to still have full use of your garage while it is being repaired.

Having 2 garage doors makes it easy for each person to have an allocated space. You will not have to trade parking spots or move cars around each other based on who needs to leave first. With 2 garage doors, you can enhance the convenience a garage offers. You can park side-by-side and leave when it’s convenient for your schedule each morning.

Another benefit of having 2 single garage doors is that you have total control over what a passerby can see. You could divide your garage into two separate areas, keeping one side as a more private space, such as a home gym or storage space for your valued items.

If you wish to convert part of your garage into a functional space, there are several ideas to be explored! If you’re hoping to convert your garage into a more functional space, check out this article on 30 garage organization and conversion ideas from HGTV’s website.

An inspiring picture of garage transformed into a home gym

Sick of paying for a gym membership? Dream of simply walking downstairs into your own state-of-the-art fitness center? Take a look at 5 simple steps to converting your garage into a fitness room from The Spruce’s webpage. Image from of Pexels.

The sturdiness of a 2-door garage versus a 1 door garage

With a 2-door garage, the usage of each individual door is decreased. The number of openings will be less because you will not need to open the same door every time. This reduces wear and tear and can keep your garage doors functioning like new.

By choosing a garage with 2 separate doors, you will experience fewer cycles annually. This is especially important to consider if you are often on the go and frequently use your garage door.

Insulation And Weather Protection

By keeping one door shut while having the other open, you can limit your garage’s outdoor exposure. In a single-door garage situation, every time someone enters or exits, the large door is entirely open. This allows for a lot of cold air to rush in!

In a garage with 2 single doors, only one-half needs to open every time someone enters or exits. This limits the amount of cold air, ice, or snow that enters your garage. This can also apply to extremely warm, humid, or rainy climates.

If you opt for a single double car garage door, you’ll want to ensure it is appropriately insulated. Insulation can greatly affect your garage door experience. Get an understanding of the R-Value that your garage will need. The R-Value is the ability of a material to retard the transmission of heat. The higher the R-Value, the better the insulation. Curious about your R-Value needs? You can get an estimated figure of your R-Value here.

These garage doors are in the Eastman E-21 design, 9' x 7', Claystone doors and Ice White overlays, 8 lite Panoramic windows.

Look how 2 garage doors add to the overall quaint aesthetic of this home’s façade. These garage doors are the Eastman E-21 design 9' x 7', with Claystone doors and Ice White overlays, featuring 8 lite Panoramic windows.

Is a double garage door the best option for me?

This garage door is a Moderno Multi design, 16' x 8', Chocolate Walnut, window layout: Left-side Harmony.

Installing a double garage door can keep your home looking sleek and modern. The garage door shown here is the Moderno Multi design, 16' x 8', in Chocolate Walnut, with a contemporary Left-side Harmony window layout.

Classic Design with Unlimited Flexibility

With a double garage door, you’ll enjoy plenty of flexibility. You can park a vehicle in the middle of the garage and have ample room around it, perfect for someone looking to do mechanical work on their car. You can also configure ways to fit small recreational vehicles, like a motorbike or jet ski.

Overall, these garage doors offer ultimate flexibility because you are not restrained by two separate openings.

Some people may also find having 1 large garage door is much easier than having 2 separate garage doors. For example, if you live by yourself or are the only car owner in the house, having 2 separate doors might be unnecessary.

Another valid reason for opting for a double garage door would be the aesthetic or look you are going for. Some homes may look chaotic or too busy with the addition of 2 garage doors. Some home designs favor a sleeker and more simple structure, like a single garage door.

You will find you have more than enough space to use your garage for various purposes. You can utilize your garage space to store tons of items. If you need help getting organized, HGTV has 55 ideas for practical and aesthetically pleasing storage of your belongings. Check it out!

This garage door is North Hatley LP design, 16' x 8', Moka Brown, 4 vertical lite Orion windows.

Even in low light, a 2-car garage door looks totally gorgeous! The garage door seen here is a North Hatley LP design, 16' x 8', in Moka Brown, with 4 vertical lite Orion windows.

Upkeep Expectations

Two 1-car garage doors have double the number of components, and that means double the maintenance. With two garage doors, you also have two openers, double the springs, and double the cables. By choosing a single double-car garage door, you can cut down on maintenance expenses.

It’s important to consider how much maintenance you are willing to spend on yearly before purchasing your garage doors. If your budget is low, opting for a double garage door may be best!

Periodic upkeep is always important. You can use a lubricant made for PVC parts and a separate lubricant for hardware. There are numerous types and brands to choose from in retail stores and online. When in doubt – seek the advice of a professional about which to use.

We advise you have a garage door technician who can visit your home annually for a tune-up. They are trained in garage safety and upkeep and can keep your garage working smoothly. It’s important to see your garage door as an investment. Annual upkeep will lengthen the life of your investment and keep it working good as new!

This 2-car garage door is a Standard+ Shaker-Modern XL design, 16' x 8', Iron Ore Walnut, Sandblasted windows / Coordinated with Soho entry door from Novatech's Shaker Collection.

Consider how much you can simplify with a two-car garage door. The double garage door pictured here is a Standard+ Shaker-Modern XL design, 16' x 8', Iron Ore Walnut, with private Sandblasted windows, coordinated with a Soho entry door from Novatech's Shaker Collection.

The Importance of a Garage Door Opener

Purchasing a strong and reliable garage door opener that’s able to integrate with your garage door is LiftMaster’s specialty! They are a part of the Chamberlain Group and are known for their expertise in garage door openers.

Most recently, they have introduced garage door openers with cutting-edge myQ technology, allowing you to operate your garage door remotely from a smartphone. Pretty genius!

Are you at the office? Or on a big vacation? No more worrying about the security of your empty home. You’ll have control of your garage doors from anywhere you are.

You’ll be able to assure your home is safe because the myQ technology allows you to see what’s going on in real-time right from your phone.

Although the remote features are great for many people, such as the on-the-go business person or busy parents, these features may not be the most optimal for others. If you are not someone who typically uses your smartphone or does not have access to your smartphone during the day, this feature may go unused.

Try the most recent LiftMaster garage door openers with myQ app technology.

With the new LiftMaster garage door model's myQ technology, you are always aware of what’s going on in your home! Here are 9 uses for a smart LiftMaster garage door opener.

Choosing the right garage door opener for you

To make the right choice, consider the following factors:

  • What is your budget? What features are you willing to spend on?
  • Make note of your garage space and height, as well as door size.
  • How many times do you predict to be closing and opening your garage door per day? This is important to consider as it may affect the frequency of maintenance.
  • How important is remote access to you?
  • Do you have a single or 2 door garage style? A 2-car garage needs a high-value garage door opener to properly elevate the heavy door. Garages with 2 single doors can work with more basic opener options.

The technology and concepts that go into the creation of a garage opener are much beyond a simple button. As always, when in doubt we advise you to consult with a specialist if you are having trouble finding the best option for you.

Now that you have the facts, which garage door will you add to your home?

The final decision for which garage door to install is influenced by so many personal factors – from the budget to aesthetics, to storage space, and more.

It’s always wise to contact an expert who can walk you through the unique advantages of each design type.

Customize the garage door of your fantasies

Just because a garage door is a practical and necessary purchase, doesn’t mean you can’t have some creative fun with it.

For some inspiration, check out Portes Ram Doors. They have a vast selection of top-quality residential garage doors. You will find them grouped into 3 style types: Traditional, Carriage House, and Contemporary. Does your home style not fit into any of these categories? No worries – you can customize it to your heart's desire.

For an amazing customization experience, navigate to the Design Centre to create your very own custom doors! The Design Centre allows you to create your own unique design. You can upload a photo of your home to get an idea of what the garage door would look like – right from your phone or computer!

This tool gives you the creative power you’re looking for when choosing a new garage door. You can make your garage just as unique as your home is. The Design Centre also features a cost estimator. You can easily request a free quote right from the Design Centre!

Do you need specialized assistance with your garage door?

The team at Portes Ram Doors is ready to support you with installing or repairing your garage door. They have a dedicated team of experienced and highly skilled specialists who can perform many services on your garage door.

Do not hesitate to call us at 613-749-2138.

Our friendly team will greet you on the phone and help you with whatever service you need.

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