Replies

1. 
   AllTrade | Apr 04, 2007 04:02pm | #1

   Do you mean how deep as in foundation depth or how deep to pull in your car?

2. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Apr 04, 2007 04:12pm | #2

   a 20' deep garage to me is minimum, but i think you could squeak most pass. cars in in 18' on the inside. i have stored a car in a 16' shed,but had to cut out the 2x4s in front so the bumper would clear the door. larry

   hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

3. 
   ToolFreakBlue | Apr 04, 2007 04:14pm | #3

   The shortest one I've seen was 19'. I suppose the shortest YOU could get away with would be the length of the DW's car plus 6 inches.

   TFB (Bill)
1. 
   JoeArchitect | Apr 04, 2007 04:16pm | #4

   I'm sure if you buy your wife a MiniCooper you could park the car in a shorter garage than 18'.

1. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 04, 2007 04:49pm | #5

   Get a convertible and you could put it in the crawlspace!Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.

1. 
   ThumbBanger | Apr 04, 2007 05:01pm | #7

   Some old houses in Michigan (probably elsewhere too) had small garages made for Model Ts and As--then for longer cars owners added little shedroof bump-outs, just big enough for a car hood.

4. 
   VAVince | Apr 04, 2007 04:57pm | #6

   My BIL cantilever a couple of feet off the back of his garage so he could back-in his boat. Motor hung out over the creek.

   Maybe you can add a foot or two and let the bumper hang out the back.

5. 
   dovetail97128 | Apr 04, 2007 05:32pm | #8

   How good is her depth perception?

6. 
   draftguy | Apr 04, 2007 05:36pm | #9

   the minimum parking lot dimension i've come across in zoning codes calls for an 18'-0" depth

1. 
   jjwalters | Apr 04, 2007 07:27pm | #10

   That's what I thought, but then that's gonna be awful tight.....and then where she's gonna put her Harley?Think I'll build her a nice post and beam carport. Then I can go 18' without worrying about her blowing out the back wall..... 

7. 
   CapnMac | Apr 04, 2007 07:38pm | #11

   Ok, after deciding this is not a question of how deep a garage to put on a person's spouce . . .

   How long is the wife's car?  Add about 3' to that, and that's the minimum you need with this car.  If she upgrades to a Mini, no sweat; if she gets a lwb F350 supercab, then, not so much.

   If there are any doubts, stick to 20' inside, but extend the front roof overhang to allow going around the end of the car, or getting in the trunk, "in the dry."

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
1. 
   JoeArchitect | Apr 04, 2007 08:48pm | #12

   Bicycles are much better for the environment, great exercise and take up less space in a garage. Hey, you can get her one for each day of the week and still have room and money left over.

1. 
   CapnMac | Apr 04, 2007 09:34pm | #14

   much better for the environment

   So is not building a garage in a creek, with oi without spouce underneath <g>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   JoeArchitect | Apr 04, 2007 09:42pm | #15

   Of course!

8. 
   karp | Apr 04, 2007 09:17pm | #13

   Hold on, hold on, build your WIFE a garage??!!

   I built mine a house, I live in the garage.

1. 
   jjwalters | Apr 04, 2007 11:02pm | #17

   <I live in the garage.>In these here hills the flat land is scarce.....I've built the cabin, art studio, tool shed.........darn if I didn't forget the old girls garage.........and the couch in the studio is making my back sore. I build the garage I get back in the big bed:-) 

9. 
   ruination | Apr 04, 2007 10:03pm | #16

   jj -

   My garage is square, 20 feet outside to outside, 2 x 4 construction.  Inside keep a '51 Chev p/u.  Between the back bumper and the back wall are a washer and dryer hard against the wall for storage.  I can squeeze between them but just barely and the front bumper is just a few inches behind the garage door.  On the other side I park a very small '91 Storm and it's tight getting in and out on the truck side, really tight on the wall side.  Behind or in front of the storm is plenty of room to put the mower (little or big but not also the welder, air compressor, plate compactor etc)

   I've thought a lot about garage sizes and after looking at many and how those sizes have worked for others, I figure unless you're storing motorcycles only, I'd never go smaller than the size I have now.  It is really snug both directions.  Even if she has a really small car you may one day want to put in a slightly bigger one or bikes or stuff that didn't fit in your closet (highly likely in any event, btw).

   Incidentally, I'm yankn that thing down this summer.  Not that it's too small, it just aint big enough.

1. 
   jjwalters | Apr 04, 2007 11:15pm | #18

   t< just aint big enough.>Yeah, I think so......24x24 is a good size, but I am so short on room cause of the hills and creeks........so I'm doing a 18 by 20 carport......12 x 18 open, but under an overhanging roof for the car and and an 8 x 18 foot enclosed part with a man door for storage. The whole thing will be post and beam to match the cabin.....it will look nice. my pickup likes to be outside so that's where she can stay 

1. 
   jimblodgett | Apr 05, 2007 02:05am | #19

   Your make her stay outside in the pick up?

   How the heck you get away with that one?Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.

1. 
   brownbagg | Apr 05, 2007 02:56am | #20

   my dad built a 20x40 garage when I was young. mama battlecruiser wagon was 21 feet long