RallyKeith Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 So I'm going to be having a two car garage (24' x 26') built to replace the barely single car garage (12' x 18') that is falling apart on my property. I'm on a very tight budget and I've done a lot of research already, but there is one big question I don't have an answer for. My biggest concern is with being able to turn off of my alley and into my garage safely. The alley is 12' wide, the garage will most likely sit 5' off the alley, and if the budget allows I'm going for 2 10' garage doors. Anybody have a clue if that's enough room to swing something as big as a 2nd Gen Legacy Wagon in? That's about the biggest thing I would expect to be putting in it, especially since I'm only going to be in the house another 4-5 years. Thanks for your thoughts! Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 hmmmm. any way to set up pylons with poles coming out in the dimesions specified to "test". one large door would give a little more wiggle room when turning into it off the alley (at least for the side farthers from the vehicle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 sounds like my old garage in Denver. it was like 1 foot off the back alley street, with a 7' wide garage door. It was not very great parking the car or removing the car. The swing angle of the front bumper to the sides, and then the fact you had to turn so not to hit the neighbors fence or tree on the other side. I would think if you went to a single door would be better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 hmmmm. any way to set up pylons with poles coming out in the dimesions specified to "test". one large door would give a little more wiggle room when turning into it off the alley (at least for the side farthers from the vehicle.... I think I have can do this. It's probably worth the $10 in lumber to buy some 1x2s and make something to drive through. sounds like my old garage in Denver. it was like 1 foot off the back alley street, with a 7' wide garage door. It was not very great parking the car or removing the car. The swing angle of the front bumper to the sides, and then the fact you had to turn so not to hit the neighbors fence or tree on the other side. I would think if you went to a single door would be better... I guess I was originally thinking agains the single wide door because I imagine it would add to the cost of the structure, as in heavy beams to support the large opening. I was also concerned with how wide of I door I could get. My initial research said 16' which I felt wouldn't give me enough room between cars, but I've now found that I might be able to go 18' wide. This is not intended to be a place to park daily drivers. This is to be a working garage / workshop. That's why I want to have plenty of room between cars. I think the 18' door would work, and address the turnin situation. Of course, it still depends on the budget. Thanks for the input, feel free to keep it coming. Also feel free to check out my other post about the ultimate garage. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 If your only planning on staying a few more years, you might want to think of possible selling points for potential buyers. You might not need it to store cars but the next owner might. So id get the biggest door you can. The next guy might only need room for his honda accord and his wifes toyota avalon. Just think of it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 If your only planning on staying a few more years, you might want to think of possible selling points for potential buyers. You might not need it to store cars but the next owner might. So id get the biggest door you can. The next guy might only need room for his honda accord and his wifes toyota avalon. Just think of it that way. I think you misunderstood what I meant. With a 16' wide door the cars would be close together. About 2'-3' apart. That's fine for someone just parking. I would absolutely go 18' wide if I can to keep the cars further apart to work on them. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYJAY Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 I think you misunderstood what I meant. With a 16' wide door the cars would be close together. About 2'-3' apart. That's fine for someone just parking. I would absolutely go 18' wide if I can to keep the cars further apart to work on them. Keith you can off set the 16 ' wide door to help on having a shop area on one side , the single door will help you not having the center piller so once you pull in you can park the car to the side, and a 24 x 28 to me is only big enuf to work on one car at a time, Keith if you need more info or idea's great site there a little snobbish over there snap-on or die lol but some great ideas on buliding and outfitting garages. and hi to another Pa person on the northeast side http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 Had my meeting with the building code inspector this morning and all is good. No limitation on the garage door width so that makes me happy. Now the only concern is the setback distances. I'm good with the 5' setback off the alley, the concern is the setback off the neighboring property. My existing garage is only 2' off the property line and code says 5', but I'm in an area that is zoned industrial so I might be able to keep the 2' off the property line. I care about this because it will impact the view from a bench swing I have under some trees on the other corner of the back yard. Anyhow, inspector is going to read that section of the code and get back to me, but he thinks I can completely tear down and start over using the existing location. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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