You know you want to add a garage to your home – whether it’s for extra storage, somewhere safe to protect your car, or even a workshop space to focus on your craft. But how do you know whether a single garage is enough, or whether you should invest in a double garage?
At Gillies & Mackay, we build both single and double timber garages that are guaranteed to stay watertight, are built to thrive in the Scottish weather, and come with a 30-Year Guarantee.
We’ll always work with customers to choose the right design to suit their needs, available space, budget and any planning permission and Building Control requirements.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key differences between single and double garages, so you can confidently choose the best option for your home.
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What is a single garage?
A single garage is typically a garage designed to fit one vehicle – usually a car. Our single garage sizes include:
4.8m x 3.3m (3.3m gable)
4.8m x 3.6m (3.6m gable)
5.4m x 3.6m (3.6m gable)
6m x 3.6m (3.6m gable)
6m x 4m (4m gable)
The gable size (the front wall where the garage door sits) is what determines whether the building is a single or double garage. A single garage gable is wide enough for one car to have access.
What is a double garage?
A double garage is a garage wide enough to fit two vehicles side by side. At G&M, our double garage sizes include:
5.4m x 5.4m (5.4m gable)
6m x 5m (5m gable)
Our standard Garage sizes are capped at 30m² because anything larger than this requires a Building Warrant in Scotland (more on this later).
How wide can my garage door be?
Garage door width is also something to think about when choosing between a single and double garage.
Our single garage door sizes are 2.4m or 3m wide, whereas our double garage door sizes are larger at 3.6m or 4.2m wide.
The garage door must fit onto the gable wall with enough weatherboard at each side to ensure the structure remains strong. For example: on a 3.3m gable, a 3m door leaves too little wall space at each side for proper support.
So if you want your garage door to be wider than 3m, you’ll need a double garage.
How much space do I need for a garage?
Our single and double garages vary significantly in footprint with single garages ranging from 16m² – 24m², and our two double garages being 29m² and 30m².
Single garages are often small enough to be positioned along the side of a house, similar to where an attached garage would be. Double garages, on the other hand, need more space and often stand alone in larger gardens or plots.
It’s also important to consider access – even if you have the space, you need enough room to comfortably drive a vehicle into the garage.
Size guide:
Under 16m² – 3-Tier Workshop
16m² – 24m² – Single Garage
29m² & 30m² – Double Garage
Over 30m² – Double Garage with Carport or Multiple Garages
Further Reading: Do all wooden Garages need planning permission?
Does a single or double garage fit my budget?
Cost is often one of the biggest deciding factors in a garage purchase.
Our single garages start from , whereas our double garages start from . These prices include the garage, delivery within 40 miles of Errol, assembly and VAT. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to factor in the cost of a concrete base, and a garage door.
We offer three different types of Garage doors – sectional garage doors, roller garage doors and barn-style garage doors. Manual sectional and roller doors range from – depending on width — and can be upgraded to automatic for £300. Barn-style garage doors are manual only and start at . Garage door prices may vary depending on prices in your local area.
Budget guide:
Under £12,000 – 3-Tier Workshop
£12,000 – £18,000 – Single Garage
£21,000 – £22,000 – Double Garage
Over £22,000 – Double Garage & Carport or Multiple Garages
If you want garage-level protection but don’t need car storage, our 3-Tier Workshops are an excellent alternative. The 3-Tier Workshops are made with the same wall specification as our garages, but are shorter in height, and feature a timber floor.
Further reading:
How much does a small timber garage cost?
Can I have a pent roof on my garage?
We make timber garages with pent and apex roofs, however, pent roofs are only available in single garage sizes.
This is because once a pent garage exceeds a certain width, it requires significant structural reinforcement. Apex roofs include an internal truss and are made in two panels, making them suitable for larger spans. A pent roof is one massive roof panel and doesn’t have the support of an internal truss, so is only available for single garages.
If you have your heart set on a pent roof, a single garage is the best option for you.
What can I use my garage for?
Your intended use will strongly influence whether a single or double garage is right for you.
A single garage is ideal for:
- Storing one car that you want to protect from the weather and keep in a secure place.
- Storing and working on bikes, motorbikes or ride-on-mowers that need the strength of the concrete floor.
- A large workspace to house your hobby whether it’s woodwork, sewing or painting, you’ll have plenty of dedicated space.
A double garage is ideal for:
- Safely storing two cars, allowing you to free up space on your street or driveway.
- Combining car storage with a workspace for DIY, gardening or mechanics.
- Creating separate zones for general storage and your hobbies or projects.
Further Reading: Is a timber garage big enough for my car?
Can I have a garage bigger than a double garage?
Our largest standard garage size is 6m x 5m. Larger garages are possible but they’re rare because any garage over 30m² requires a Building Warrant, which adds significant cost and time to a project.
In most cases where someone wants a garage larger than this we recommend an alternative approach such as a double garage with carport attached or multiple garages.
A carport doesn’t count towards the 30m² limit, so allows you to add more space without the hassle of Building Control. A double garage and carport combination means that you can store up to three cars, or store two cars and still have plenty of room for storage or projects.
Or, if indoor space is what you’re after, and the double garage isn’t big enough, multiple garages could be the route for you.
For example, one customer wanted a 70m² garage, which would have cost close to £100,000 once the Building Warrant and basework costs were included. Instead, we built two single garages, and a double garage with a carport – providing the customer with the space they needed at a fraction of the cost.
The project ended up costing around £61,000 which shows you how multiple garages can often be cheaper than building one massive garage.
Further Reading: What’s the biggest wooden Garage I can have?
Do I need a single or double garage?
If you need secure parking for one car, a building that can fit alongside your house, and can be built with a pent roof, then a single garage will be the perfect solution.
If you want the flexibility of storing multiple vehicles and still have room to spare, you’ve got plenty of garden to spare, and you need a garage door that’s wider than 3m, then the double garage will be a better long-term investment.
And if you’d like help choosing the right size and layout for your garage, book a Consultation with our Sales Team who will happily advise.
