Do you have a garage under construction for your oversized vehicles? Does that garage need something bigger than your standard garage door sizes? You might wonder if it will be difficult to find a garage door suited for bigger automobiles, but we have just what you need when it comes to garage doors. We customize garage doors to fit whatever opening you have. Choosing a garage door is simple if you just follow a few easy steps.
Picture by: Wikimedia Commons.
Finding a home for your SUV or oversized vehicle
1- When you think of oversized vehicles, what comes to mind? What you might not think about is the garage door needed to keep your vehicle protected while it's parked in the garage.
Typical SUVs run anywhere between 5'5" feet to 6'4" feet high. This information is from JD Power. If you have not made changes to your car, it will most likely be within a similar size.
Typical trucks range from 6' to 6'5" in height. This means these vehicles don't need anything more than a 7-foot-high garage door. For added headroom, you could increase to a 7 ½- or 8-foot garage door. Side to side, typical cars won't need more than an 9-foot-wide garage door.
Once you understand the measurements for your future garage door, it's time to do the shopping for the garage door model you want! For ease of shopping, check out our gallery of images that introduce you to our various options, including patterns and finishings. Our image gallery will provide you with plenty of ideas.
Depending on if your garage is attached or detached, you have to consider insulation. With attached garages, an insulated garage door is the best option to keep it warmer during the winter and cooler in the hot months. This is significant when considering your utility payments.
Did you know there are options for insulation levels? The R-value needed for your garage determines your level. Whatever the value, the appearance of your garage door stays the same. You can find fantastic garage door options with increased insulation in the R-16 level. These include garage doors such as the sleek Vog or the downhome charm of North Hatley LP.
A Standard+ Vog garage door option, in Charcoal, window layout: Left‑side Harmony, is pictured here. With a size of 9' x 7', these garage doors will protect your vehicles perfectly.
Will you pick two garage doors or opt for a double garage door?
If you opt for the double garage door, what width do you need?
This answer depends on your ease in maneuvering your vehicle in tight spaces, or your need for more room. There are some that can easily park 2 cars inside a 12'-wide garage door opening. Then there are people who will struggle to park the same cars in a 16'-wide garage door. Interestingly, our 16'-wide by 8'-high garage doors get the most traction when people order double garage doors. People like the extra space. Lucky for you, our garage doors are created just for you, so you get to decide how much or how little space you need. Consider your needs and your garage measurements when you order.
The Standard+ North Hatley LP design, 16' x 8', Moka Brown, 4 vertical lite Orion windows. This garage door entrance is perfect for two vehicles to park beside each other with no issue.
2- What lift will you choose for your garage door?
A universal type of lift is the standard lift. The standard lift requires at least 12 inches above your garage door. If your opener will be on the ceiling, you will need 2 more inches.
If you can not spare the 12 inches needed to utilize a standard lift, you will need to choose a low front headroom lift. This option is perfect if your area above the garage door is 10 inches or less.
What if your garage has a vaulted ceiling? You can use the angles and choose an inclined track.
3- Is special hardware used when installing this garage door?
The garage door you will install to protect your larger vehicles is typically below 8'1" feet. Due to this, you can use residential hardware. There are two styles you can choose from: Dura+ and bolted hardware.
Specifics of residential hardware offered:
Depending on the garage door option you choose, it will have Dura+ or bolted hardware. You may choose to opt for the other type. Ask your garage door expert if you have questions. Your garage door salesperson can provide you with more information about your choices.
4- Are there options for garage door openers? What works best for my style of vehicle?
You will be happy to hear that any electric garage door opener from the residential line will work to protect your vehicle since you will typically choose a 7' or 8' garage door.
Your opener options differ based on their makeup. We can assist in picking the option for you.
- The LiftMaster 87504-267 opener is a wonderful garage door opener option to protect your property! Virtually silent, this opener operates using a belt-drive process. The opener offers an HD camera and the ability to speak through it. Also, it is easily accessed remotely. With perks like this, you can stay on top of what is always happening in your garage.
- The LiftMaster 8500W opener is a garage door opener that is installed on the wall. If you need the space above your garage door for storage, this is the garage door opener for you. Bonus – it opens garage doors up to 14 feet high by accessing a strong 24V DC motor.
- The LiftMaster 87802 garage door opener utilizes a chain drive system. It is slightly louder and doesn't have the ability to monitor it visually. If you have a detached garage where sound doesn't matter or if you have other security options, this might be the garage door opener for you. You'll be happy to know there is a battery backup if the electricity is out.
Best of all – these models are easily operated remotely using the myQ app! This means you can watch your garage door at all times.
8.
The LiftMaster 87504-267 option is ultra quiet. It allows you to monitor the garage visually, a battery backup, and several other perks!
What garage door options are available for your home on wheels?
1- How do I determine garage door measurements for my Recreational vehicle?
For a new garage, measure how tall your RV is. Considering increasing headroom to ease any parking anxiety. The last thing you want is to worry as you park in the garage.
The G-5000, 16' x 18', Ice White is pictured above. It is not a residential design, but a commercial option may be the way to go depending on the width of your recreational vehicle. For some RVs, you may need a larger garage door like this one.
Think about the future as well. You might increase the size of your motor home. It's better to have a bigger garage door than have one that's too small.
Pictured above is a Class A RV. With a variety of perks, it is the biggest recreational vehicle. Picture provided by Camper Report’s website.
What recreational vehicle do you have? Before determining the size of the garage door, the type of your RV is needed.
Based on the Camper Report website, recreational vehicles are sorted into 4 categories:
- Class A – the largest and most luxurious possibility. These are truly homes on wheels.
- Class B – This recreational vehicle takes up the least amount of space. It's possible this RV will fit in the same garage as your everyday vehicle.
- Class B+ – A combination of the first two, these typically take up more space than Class B.
- Class C – Most like Class A, only not as big. These vehicles are recreational vehicles that utilize the chassis of a modified truck.
Class C RV pictured above from Pixabay.
As you can imagine, each type has different measurements, so one size fits all won't work if you are constructing a new garage or simply shopping for an overhead door.
The Jeffsettter Travel website provides average heights for recreational vehicle types:
- Class A – Typically measure between 12 and 14 feet tall
- Class B and B+ – Typically come in around 7 feet but can get as tall as 10 feet
- Class C – Typically measure between 10 and 12 feet tall
Pictured: Class B RV from Unsplash.
Don't forget to measure the A/C unit on your recreational vehicle as that adds height to your total. Once you know the garage door height needed for your recreational vehicle, consider adding to the number for peace of mind when parking it. Not only that, but you may want to add accessories later which will change your measurements.
A garage door at least 10 feet wide is needed for a Class A vehicle. For comfort and ease of parking, it might be best to opt for a 12-foot-wide garage door. For Class B, B+, and C vehicles, an 8- or 9-foot-wide garage door should do the trick.
Coming in at 9 feet, the garage doors pictured above are great for Class B or B+. The garage doors shown are Standard+ Shaker-Flat XL, 10' x 9', Chocolate Walnut, windows with Stockton Inserts.
Perhaps you have your recreational vehicle already and you simply need your measurements. It is easy to determine the size of the garage door in that case. Since we can customize a garage door size for you, we can manufacture exactly what you need. Again, it's a good idea to pick a larger garage door for future use.
A garage door like this one showcased on Houzz is perfect for a Class A recreational vehicle. If you like this garage door, consider the Shaker-Flat CC garage door.
2- What lift works best with this kind of garage door?
Since garages for recreational vehicles are typically bigger than your standard garage, you won't be able to use a standard garage door lift. Don't worry, though, there are other lift options.
For garages that house recreational vehicles, you might notice that the wall spans much higher than the garage door. When this happens, you need a full vertical lift track or a high lift track.
For ceilings that are angled, try an inclined track. The nice thing about this one is it provides you with additional room above the recreational vehicle. If you have a vaulted ceiling, this is the lift to try!
If space is minimal between the top of the door opening and the ceiling, consider a low front headroom lift. This is a great option if you have 10 inches or less of room.
3- Are there options for hardware since this is such a large garage door?
If you're concerned about the stability of the hardware for the recreational vehicle garage door, you can lay your fears aside. Once the garage door moves past 8 feet in height, commercial hardware is utilized to ensure the effectiveness of the garage door.
Hardware might be determined by the amount of time you use your garage door. You have three options when it comes to hardware.
We can help you determine the hardware needed depending on how often you use your garage door and its weight.
4- Every great garage needs a great garage door opener!
Once you have the best garage door picked for your recreational vehicle, you need to consider a garage door opener. There is no way you can easily lift a 14'-high garage door without an opener! You will need an industrial-strength LiftMaster garage door opener.
Depending on the class of your recreational vehicle, you might need a wall-mounted opener.
Benefits you receive with an industrial door opener such as the LiftMaster H.
- Doesn't invade your space. (Additional space isn't needed for your garage door opener)
- Your wall-mounted opener is easy to access
- Less vibration less operational noise
- Works with myQ!
It's nice to know that the LiftMaster H works with the myQ app. Monitoring your garage door when and where you need it is a great feature.
LiftMaster watches over your garage to give you comfort while you're out.
Have you ever been somewhere and suddenly wondered if you closed the garage door? You're supposed to be focusing on other things but all you're worried about is the garage door.
With the myQ app, simply access it through your phone and check on your garage door. It's that easy!
Monitoring the garage door is easy with the myQ app. The control in the power of your hands gives you peace of mind.
What happens if your garage door was left up? The myQ app will send an alert if the garage door has been lifted for a length of time.
The garage door opener lets you know your garage door is up. When you get the alert, simply open your app and close the garage door!
Are you excited to pick out your new garage door?
We have the right garage door for you, whether you need it for your yard barn or your garage for your recreational vehicle.
We customize our garage doors to your exact specifications. Our garage doors are custom made with pride. You simply need to give us your measurements for your garage door opening and we can do the rest.
If you don't know how to measure your garage door opening, here's how you can do it. Feel free to contact us if you have issues determining the right size. One of our specialists can come by to assess your garage door project and complete the measurements as well.
With so many options, you can pick the garage door that matches your look. Pictured above is the Eastman E-11, 16' x 8', Black door and overlays, 4 vertical lite Panoramic windows.
What is even better? With our app, you can choose the best garage door for you!
You have the power of our garage door design app in the palm of your hand. Our Design Centre is easy to use and lets you choose whatever garage door you want in a few simple steps. We offer over 35 options and 10 colors! You get to decide the garage door pattern, window type, and finishing hardware. The power is in your hands! This is your chance to do whatever you want!
This interactive app can even be used on your phone! This ability to design your garage door from wherever you are is fantastic!
We can send you a free quote by email. In the app, you can also use a photo of your home while designing your garage door. With our Design Centre, your garage will be the talk of the block.
Contact us at 508-668-9393! A Norwood Door Systems team member will assess what you need and assist you along your way. We help you from garage door design and insulation to the final installation by our knowledgeable garage door team.
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