Single Car vs Double Car Garage Door - Sizes, Costs, and What Fits

This decision comes up most often when someone is building a new garage, converting an existing opening, or replacing a door that was damaged badly enough to consider changing the configuration. It's not a casual choice - the opening size affects the structural header above it, and changing from one to two doors or vice versa is a significant construction project.

Here's what the actual sizes are, what each option costs, and the questions that determine which one makes sense.

Standard sizes - what's actually out there

Single car garage doors:

• 8 feet wide x 7 feet tall - the most common residential single-car size. Fits most sedans and standard SUVs.
• 9 feet wide x 7 feet tall - the preferred width if you can get it. Extra foot makes a real difference when parking close to the side walls.
• 8 or 9 feet wide x 8 feet tall - for taller vehicles. Pickup trucks, vans, larger SUVs with roof racks.

Double car garage doors:

• 16 feet wide x 7 feet tall - standard double door. Two vehicles side by side with reasonable clearance.
• 18 feet wide x 7 feet tall - wider double. Better for larger vehicles or when you want more room to open doors inside the garage.
• 16 or 18 feet wide x 8 feet tall - taller double door for trucks and larger vehicles.

Non-standard sizes exist and can be ordered custom, but they cost more and lead times are longer.

What fits through each size

The 8-foot single-car door is functional for most passenger cars but tight. You center the car in the opening with maybe 18-24 inches on each side. Doable but you notice every time.

The 9-foot single-car door is noticeably more comfortable. That extra foot gives you room to open car doors without anxiety and makes parking feel less precise.

For trucks - specifically full-size pickup trucks - an 8-foot door works but 9 feet is better, and 8-foot height is worth having if you have a lift kit or running boards that add to the overall height. Check your specific vehicle dimensions rather than assuming.

The 16-foot double door fits two vehicles but tight. If you're regularly parking two SUVs side by side, 18 feet is more comfortable. The extra 2 feet means each parking space is about a foot wider.

The one-door vs two-door question for double-wide garages

Here's a decision that comes up specifically for two-car garages: one double door spanning the full width, or two single doors side by side with a center column between them.

One double door:

• Single uninterrupted opening - aesthetically cleaner from the street
• One opener, one set of springs, one set of hardware
• Larger door = larger spring = more energy stored = higher stakes when something fails
• If the opener or spring fails, both cars are blocked

Two single doors:

• Two independent systems - one fails, one still works
• Each door can be operated independently
• Two openers, two spring systems, more hardware overall
• Center column between the doors - structural element that some find limiting visually

Most new construction goes with a double door for the cleaner look. Homeowners who've had a door failure with one car stuck inside and one outside often convert to two single doors. Both are legitimate choices for different priorities.

What it actually costs

Single car door installed (standard 8-9 ft wide):

• Basic non-insulated steel: $700-1,000
• Mid-range insulated steel: $900-1,400
• Premium insulated or styled door: $1,200-2,000+

Double car door installed (standard 16 ft wide):

• Basic non-insulated steel: $1,000-1,500
• Mid-range insulated steel: $1,300-2,000
• Premium insulated or styled door: $1,800-3,000+

Two single doors vs one double door - two singles typically costs 10-20% more than one double for comparable quality because you're buying two of everything. The operational independence benefit has a cost.

For the full material comparison including wood, aluminum, and fiberglass options, our best garage door materials guide covers what each material costs and who each makes sense for.

Opener sizing for each configuration

Single car doors use standard residential openers - 1/2 HP to 3/4 HP covers most single doors.

Double car doors are heavier and need more power. 3/4 HP minimum for a standard double door. 1 HP for heavy insulated double doors or wood doors. Undersizing the opener for a double door means the motor works harder than designed on every cycle - this shortens opener life significantly.

Spring sizing also changes. A double door needs springs correctly sized for its weight. A 16-foot insulated steel door weighs significantly more than an 8-foot door. Get the spring sizing right or the opener carries load it shouldn't. Our how many turns on a garage door spring guide explains why spring sizing to door weight matters.

Changing the configuration - what's involved

Converting a single opening to a double (or removing a center column to combine two single openings into one double) - this is a structural project. The header above the garage opening carries the load of the wall and roof above it. A wider opening requires a wider, stronger header. This is engineering and construction work, not just a door swap. Permits are typically required.

Converting a double opening to two singles - requires adding a center column between the openings. Also a structural project but typically less complex than the reverse.

Replacing same-for-same - existing double door with a new double door, same size - no structural work required. Just door replacement.

GarageDoorRepairz - single, double, or anything in between. Give us a call for a quote on what fits your opening.