Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    816

    Default Advice on garage dimensions for extension

    Hi Guys,

    Just got the plans back from the architect (sketch - first draft sort of thing) and was wondering what your thoughts are re minimum size for a double garage. I originally wanted 7.0m deep by 6.0 wide and the sketch has the garage 6.2 x 6.2 floor area (walls not included). Now, I am currently restoring an FJ holden and im in my early 30s and its probable/almost certain that I will do more restorations down the track....god knows how many...my old man has done 4 over the last 30 years and thats probably the pace i'll do them at...its not like I run a business or antying. I really wanted this extra space so that I can walk around the car for spraying and whatnot - keeping in mind that the effective length of the garage will decrease about .7m for my lathe and workbench...so once they are in, the floor area available for working on cars will be 5.5m L by 6.2m W

    Now I can easily extend it, but the space will come off a rumpus room thats at the back of the garage which is currently sitting at 4.2x4.1 meters - a really nice square shape. If I move the garage back .9 of a meter i'll have my 7 meters but the rumpus will come down to 4.2m by 3.2m. This room will be used a lot - i have mates over at least once a fortnight...watching footy, sharing homebrew, playing guitar etc. All of that will happen in this room.

    So im keen to get anyones thoughts on these dimensions...have any of you guys sprayed cars in a 5.5meter deep garage? Is it enough?

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Dandenong, Vic
    Posts
    2,029

    Default

    Are you going to have another car in this garage? gold clubs/ kids bikes etc or is just for the restoration project.

    Maybe walk into a panel beater and look how big their spray booth is.
    From some of those tv shows they are not that wide.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    816

    Default

    Yep - family car will be in there.

    Im not too worried about the width, its mainly that length that im worried about...especially because of the lathe eating into it. I have a storage room coming off the garage for the compressor, shelving, tools etc...so that stuff is all sorted. Golf clubs will be upstairs.

    I measured out the FJ footprint - and I think I would get away with it as it is. However if I went to do a bigger car, something american, I wouldnt have enough left...57 chev for instance is 5m long bumper to bumper.

    Its tough, im basically trying to plan for future projects...god knows what they will be and how often i'll do them. However the rumpus room is something I know will get used a lot.

    Running the lathe down one wall might be a better option....width of garage would then drop to 5.5m...bit of a squeeze getting out of the family car with the project car jammed in there. These project cars tend to be idle lumps for long periods of time too...its not like you can move them in and out.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale, Victoria Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    3,894

    Default

    The width is where I see your problem.

    As you indicate the project will sit there for some time so you will need top open and close doors often so need width for 2 cars with doors all open then you will have room to move around both cars
    Jim Carroll
    One Good Turn Deserves Another. CWS, Vicmarc, Robert Sorby, Woodcut, Tormek, Woodfast
    Are you a registered member? Why not? click here to register. It's free and only takes 37 seconds!

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    816

    Default

    I think you are right Jim...I dont think 5.5m wide will be enough.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    2,741

    Default

    My last garage was 8.0 x 8.0 mtr under the house, and it made such a difference. Go for as big as you can - unfortunately, other areas of your house (and budget) will suffer.

    Good luck with your decision.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Parkside - South Australia
    Age
    45
    Posts
    3,316

    Default

    To give you a bit of an idea I typically design around the following minimum requirements:

    Double Garage 6.0 x 6.0
    Single garage 3.5 x 6.0

    As for a car space in an open area of basement were there are a number of spaces next to one another (just to give you an idea) these are typically 2.6 x 4.9.

    Getting much shorter than 6m will start to make it difficult to get around the cars. Similar story with width and door openings.
    Now proudly sponsored by Binford Tools. Be sure to check out the Binford 6100 - available now at any good tool retailer.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Riverhills, Brisbane
    Age
    64
    Posts
    1,216

    Default

    When we did our reno back in 1995 I made the Garage 6.6 x 6.6...it's amazing how much extra room you seem to have just with that 0.6 extra...especially when opening doors.

    You say that the garage is for restoring cars and the rumpus room is for watching footy, home brew & playing guitar..the big question here is...WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WE ALL WANT TO COME AROUND...

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Blacktown, Western Sydney
    Age
    58
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by skot View Post
    When we did our reno back in 1995 I made the Garage 6.6 x 6.6...it's amazing how much extra room you seem to have just with that 0.6 extra...especially when opening doors.

    You say that the garage is for restoring cars and the rumpus room is for watching footy, home brew & playing guitar..the big question here is...WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WE ALL WANT TO COME AROUND...
    I'm coming too. I can't play guitar though, I am happy to be the roadie.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Bowral
    Posts
    837

    Default

    6.2 x 6.2 won't be big enough with a lathe/bench. And I do understand the need to have a decent size rumpus room (mancave). I have a left field suggestion - put a large room divider door in between the back of the garage and the rumpus room. That way when you need the extra space for spraying you can open up the door and get more space, but most of the time the door will stay closed as the project car will be static you won't need the space, so the door will be more like a wall.

    I've just put in a new shed at my place and I've got room for a workshop and a 2 car garage - and between the workshop and one of the garage spaces I'll be putting in a concertina door so that if I want to rip long boards or use more space I will be able to use a garage space as well. I don't think I'll use it much, but I think it will be something I'll really appreciate on the few occasions that I do use it.
    Bob C.

    Never give up.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Bowral
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Oh, and put the lathe/bench on lockable wheels so that you can move it out of the way when you do open the door.
    Bob C.

    Never give up.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    816

    Default

    "put a large room divider door in between the back of the garage and the rumpus room. That way when you need the extra space for spraying you can open up the door and get more space, but most of the time the door will stay closed as the project car will be static you won't need the space, so the door will be more like a wall."

    You know I had this exact thought over the weekend...I reckon it has legs!

    Ha ha - Skot - I am in a household that is dominated by females, this is the downstairs area where I will retreat to when things get hairy with all the females upstairs. When my daughters hit their teengage years - I pretty much see myself moving down into the garage/man cave.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Albury Well Just Outside
    Posts
    13,315

    Default

    One of the nicest things to have is space. Knowing what I know now I prefer the idea of walking around the car. I have seen garages that once the roller door is closed there is no room to walk around the car. And this was a NEW HOUSE, yes that's right, the house was built as close to the boundary as allowed not much of a back garden or front yard and a tiny garage.

    So go for as large a garage as you can.

    I also like the idea of the removal able door/wall.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Bowral
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Yes, new houses are often built with tiny garages. I see plans with a so-called "double garage" that is sized at 5.5 x 5.5. That is just not big enough. My new shed is 12 x 9. So the garage space for the two cars will be 6 x 6, and then we'll have a craft/storage room about 6 x 3.5 and the rest will be for my workshop. I'll have one space of 6 x 3, open with another space of 6 x 5.5, and the ability to open the folding doors to the garage space. And I plan to put an upstairs room in above the garages as a home office for me (with a fridge, large tv and large comfy couch). It will be my retreat and will be 6 x 4. So I'll have LOTS of space.
    Last edited by Poppa; 19th August 2014 at 01:30 PM. Reason: typo
    Bob C.

    Never give up.

Similar Threads

  1. garage extension
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11th October 2009, 07:50 PM
  2. Recommendations for simple garage extension
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 16th September 2009, 11:50 PM
  3. Garage relocation advice
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 5th April 2009, 03:00 AM
  4. Garage relocation advice
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 19th March 2009, 10:40 PM
  5. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 5th November 2007, 07:04 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •