The name “garage” actually encompasses many different types of structures and spaces. Sure, all garages have a few basics in common, but you need to know exactly what you want before starting on a construction project. In this ultimate guide, we’re going to discuss the various terms associated with the different types of garages so you can determine what’s best for your needs.
American Carports, Inc. offers a variety of metal garages that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!
Three Common Widths
It’s typical for the width of a garage not to be stated in feet, but rather in terms of how many vehicles can fit side-by-side within the structure. So, as a starting point, the smallest standard option is a single garage. You’ll only be able to put one vehicle in this size of a garage, but it might be perfect for your needs. Also, if you don’t plan on parking a vehicle inside, this type of garage can be perfect for a workshop space.
There are also double and triple, or two-car and three-car, garages to consider. The name tells you everything you need to know about how much size will be provided in these various models. When you get up to a big space such as a three-car garage, you might decide to use that space for a blend of parking, storage, and workshop room, rather than solely for parking.
It’s worth noting that you can also go up to a four-car garage if you order from American Carports, Inc. With that much interior space available, there will be very few limitations on what you can accomplish. From running a large workshop to parking multiple vehicles at the same time with room to spare, a four-car garage is certainly a luxury.
What’s a Tandem Garage?
This is where the terminology regarding garages can get a little tricky. It seems like it would make sense for a tandem garage to be the same as a two-car garage, but that’s not usually how it works. Typically, when someone refers to a tandem garage, they’re talking about a space that allows for one vehicle to be parked in front of another. In other words, this is a narrow but deep garage, so there is enough length for two typical passenger vehicles to fit bumper to bumper.
Tandem garages come with some drawbacks—most notably, the fact that you’ll need to move one car out of the way if you want to drive the vehicle that was blocked in. With that said, they can be a functional option for a location that has a long, rectangular space available. On a property where a wide garage with multiple doors just isn’t going to work, turning to a tandem design may be a suitable compromise.
Are All Garages Part of a House?
When you picture a garage, you might first think about a space that has been included in the design of a house. When a garage is integrated into the ground floor of a home, it’s considered an “attached” garage. There’s a lot to like about attached garages, but they aren’t included in all homes. Plus, adding one to your existing house would be very expensive, if it’s even possible.
That’s when the concept of a “detached” garage becomes important. This is a freestanding structure that has the same basic layout and features as an attached garage, but it’s not a part of your home (or any other structure). This is what we offer at American Carports, Inc. Our detached metal garages come in many different sizes and can include a variety of custom features to suit your needs. Taking this route gives you the chance to add much-needed indoor space to your property without having to carve out a huge budget for the job.
Order from American Carports, Inc.
We hope this ultimate guide has taught you more about the different types of garages. From a humble single garage to a massive multi-car shop space, we offer various garage configurations at American Carports, Inc. No matter what garage style and design you settle on, the next step is to start bringing your structure to life. Use our Build & Price Tool to view a 3D rendering of your new metal building! We look forward to assisting you with this exciting project.
