Single-Car Garage Door Sizes: 8x7, 9x7 and Taller Options

The standard single sizes

Two sizes cover the vast majority of single-car garages in North Metro Atlanta.

• 8' x 7' — older homes and narrow city lots; tight for a modern SUV mirror-to-mirror.
• 9' x 7' — the modern default; comfortable for a full-size sedan, SUV or small truck.
• 8' x 8' and 9' x 8' — the same widths with an extra 21-inch section for taller vehicles.
• 10' x 7' and 10' x 8' — generous singles, common on detached garages and workshops.
• 9' x 9' or 10' x 10' — truck, van and boat-trailer clearance.

Weight and hardware for a single door

A 9' x 7' door runs roughly 90 lbs for a single-layer steel model, 130 to 160 lbs insulated, and 250 lbs or more in wood or full-view glass. Most singles use one torsion spring on a shaft above the opening, though heavier doors get a pair. A 1/2 HP opener is plenty for any standard single, and battery backup is worth the small premium.

Two singles or one double?

Homes with a wide opening sometimes choose two single doors instead of one double, and that choice has real consequences.

• Two singles need a center post, which limits what you can back out at an angle.
• Two singles mean two openers and two spring sets — more hardware, more maintenance.
• Two singles are cheaper to repair individually and one failure does not trap both cars.
• A single 16-foot door gives maximum maneuvering room and a cleaner elevation.

Clearances for a single opening

The requirements are the same as any sectional door: 12 inches of headroom for standard track, 3 3/4 inches of sideroom per side, and backroom equal to the door height plus about 18 inches. Narrow garages often lack sideroom on the wall shared with the house, so measure both sides — they are frequently different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our services