What are standard garage door sizes? Standard single car garage doors are 8 feet wide x 7 feet tall (8x7) or 9 feet wide x 7 feet tall (9x7). Standard double car garage doors are 16 feet wide x 7 feet tall (16x7) or 18 feet wide x 7 feet tall (18x7). For taller vehicles, 8-foot heights are available. Custom sizes can be ordered for non-standard openings.
How Are Garage Doors Measured?
Garage doors are measured in width x height format, expressed in feet. For example, a "9x7" door is 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall. The width is always stated first. When ordering a new door, you'll also need to measure headroom (ceiling space above the opening), sideroom (wall space beside the opening), and backroom (depth available for tracks).
Standard Garage Door Sizes Chart
Here's a complete breakdown of standard garage door sizes available in Canada:
| Type | Width | Height | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Car (Small) | 8 ft | 7 ft | Compact cars, older homes |
| Single Car (Standard) | 9 ft | 7 ft | Most single-car garages |
| Single Car (Wide) | 10 ft | 7-8 ft | SUVs, trucks, extra clearance |
| Double Car (Standard) | 16 ft | 7 ft | Most two-car garages |
| Double Car (Wide) | 18 ft | 7-8 ft | Large vehicles, workshops |
| RV/Oversized | 10-12 ft | 8-12 ft | RVs, boats, commercial |
Single Car Garage Door Sizes
Single car garage doors are designed for garages that fit one vehicle. Here are your options:
8x7 Door
8 ft x 7 ft
- Entry-level size
- Fits compact cars
- Common in older homes
- Tight clearance for SUVs
Best for: Sedans, compact cars, older Toronto homes built before 1980
9x7 Door
9 ft x 7 ft
- Most popular single size
- Fits most vehicles
- Standard in new builds
- 12" clearance on each side
Best for: Most modern single-car garages, SUVs, mid-size trucks
10x7 Door
10 ft x 7 ft
- Extra-wide clearance
- Comfortable for large trucks
- Room for storage beside car
- May require custom order
Best for: Full-size trucks, SUVs, garages used as workshops
Height Consideration: If you drive a tall vehicle like a lifted truck, cargo van, or roof-rack equipped SUV, consider an 8-foot tall door instead of 7-foot. The extra 12 inches makes a significant difference in clearance.
Double Car Garage Door Sizes
Double car garage doors cover wider openings designed for two vehicles:
16x7 Door
16 ft x 7 ft
- Standard double-car size
- Fits 2 average vehicles
- Most common in GTA homes
- Cost-effective option
Best for: Standard two-car garages, most homes built 1990-present
18x7 Door
18 ft x 7 ft
- Extra 2 feet of width
- More room between vehicles
- Easier parking access
- Premium option
Best for: Large trucks, luxury homes, easier entry/exit with kids
16x8 or 18x8 Door
16-18 ft x 8 ft
- Extra headroom
- Fits lifted trucks
- Accommodates roof racks
- Modern luxury standard
Best for: Tall vehicles, RV storage potential, custom homes
Single Door vs Double Door: While two single doors (2x 9x7) cost more upfront than one double door (16x7), they offer better energy efficiency and allow one car to exit if the other door's opener fails. Consider your priorities when choosing.
RV & Oversized Garage Door Sizes
For recreational vehicles, boats, and commercial uses, larger doors are available:
| Size | Dimensions | Vehicle Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 | 10 ft x 10 ft | Small RVs, boats, work trucks | Entry-level oversized |
| 12x10 | 12 ft x 10 ft | Class C RVs, larger boats | Common RV size |
| 12x12 | 12 ft x 12 ft | Most RVs, commercial vehicles | Popular choice |
| 14x12 | 14 ft x 12 ft | Large Class A RVs | Usually custom order |
| 16x12 | 16 ft x 12 ft | Largest RVs, semi-trucks | Commercial applications |
RV Clearance Tip: When sizing for an RV, add 12-18 inches to each dimension beyond your vehicle measurements. Account for mirrors, antennas, and A/C units. Measure your RV while fully loaded - suspension compression affects height.
How to Measure Your Garage Door Opening
Follow these steps to get accurate measurements for a new garage door:
Measure the Width
Measure the distance between the left and right door jambs (the vertical frames) at the widest point. Measure at the floor level and again at the top - if they differ, use the smaller measurement.
Measure the Height
Measure from the floor to the bottom of the header (the horizontal beam above the opening). This is your door height. Check both sides - floors aren't always level.
Measure the Headroom
Measure from the top of the door opening to the ceiling. Standard torsion spring systems need 12 inches minimum. Low-headroom systems can work with as little as 6 inches.
Measure the Sideroom
Measure the distance from each side of the opening to the nearest wall or obstruction. Standard doors need 3.75 inches minimum on each side for track mounting.
Measure the Backroom
Measure the depth of the garage from the door opening. Your garage needs to be deep enough for the door to fully open - typically the door height plus 18 inches.
Measurement Recording Form
When measuring, record all dimensions in feet and inches:
- Width: ___ ft ___ in
- Height: ___ ft ___ in
- Headroom: ___ in
- Left Sideroom: ___ in
- Right Sideroom: ___ in
- Backroom: ___ ft ___ in
Custom Size Garage Doors
If your opening doesn't match standard sizes, custom doors are available:
| Factor | Standard Door | Custom Door |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Base price | 20-50% premium |
| Lead Time | In stock or 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks typically |
| Width Options | 8, 9, 10, 16, 18 ft | 3-inch increments |
| Height Options | 7, 8 ft | Up to 12+ feet |
| Availability | All manufacturers | Select manufacturers |
Alternative to Custom: Sometimes it's more cost-effective to modify the opening to fit a standard door rather than ordering custom. We can assess your situation and recommend the best approach during a free consultation.
Garage Door Sizes in Toronto Homes
Toronto and GTA homes present unique sizing challenges based on age and location. Understanding these regional factors helps you choose the right door.
Older Toronto Homes (Pre-1980)
Many homes in established Toronto neighborhoods like the Annex, High Park, Leaside, and older areas of Etobicoke were built with smaller garage doors. These homes often have 8x7 or even 8x6.5 openings that were designed for compact 1950s-1970s vehicles. When replacing a door in an older home, you have two options: order a custom door to fit the existing opening, or expand the opening to accommodate a standard 9x7 door. Expanding typically costs $300-600 but gives you better resale value and vehicle clearance.
GTA Suburban Developments (1980-2010)
Homes built during the suburban expansion of Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill predominantly feature standard sizing. Single-car garages use 9x7 doors, while double-car garages use 16x7 doors. These sizes accommodate most family vehicles including minivans and mid-size SUVs. If you're replacing a door in one of these homes, standard sizes will almost always fit without modification.
Modern Custom Homes (2010-Present)
Newer custom homes throughout the GTA increasingly feature 18x8 double doors and 10x8 single doors. These larger openings accommodate today's full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, and provide extra clearance for roof boxes and bike racks. If building new or renovating, consider upsizing for future-proofing as vehicle sizes continue to grow.
Winter Considerations for Toronto
Toronto's harsh winters affect door size selection in practical ways. A wider door (9x7 vs 8x7 for singles, 18x7 vs 16x7 for doubles) provides better clearance when entering with snow-covered mirrors and salt-encrusted fenders. You're less likely to scrape the door frame with frozen mirrors or damage weather stripping with ice buildup. Taller doors (8 ft vs 7 ft) accommodate roof-mounted ski boxes and cargo carriers popular with GTA families heading to Blue Mountain or Muskoka. The extra 12 inches of height prevents having to remove roof accessories for storage access.
Garage Door Installation Costs by Size
Door pricing varies significantly by size. For help choosing the right manufacturer, see our guide to the best garage door brands. Here's what Toronto homeowners typically invest:
| Door Size | Price Range (+ tax) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Single 8x7 or 9x7 | $1,200 - $2,500 | Door, hardware, installation, old door removal |
| Double 16x7 | $2,000 - $4,000 | Door, hardware, installation, old door removal |
| Oversized 18x8 | $2,800 - $5,000 | Door, heavy-duty hardware, installation |
| Opening Modification | $300 - $600 | Expand opening for larger standard door |
Pro Tip: FREE measurements with any installation quote. Sometimes modifying the opening for a standard size is more cost-effective than ordering custom dimensions.