What’s the Right Size Metal Garage?
It’s easy to misjudge how much space a vehicle actually takes up. You picture a garage in your head, but when you grab a tape measure, you may realize your truck is longer than you remembered. Or that the mower in the corner somehow takes up two full feet of floor space, though you didn’t account for it. Cramped space sneaks up on people.
A good garage shouldn’t feel that way. You want room to step around without turning sideways, enough space to open the door, and ample square footage to stash your valuables and equipment. A few feet either way can make your whole building feel completely different.
Which size metal garage is best for you? That’s a big question, with many different answers. But today, we aim to offer some real-world advice to help guide you in your decision.
Common Metal Garage Sizes
Metal garages come in a wide variety of dimensions, and even custom sizes to fit your property. They’re typically categorized as:
One-Car Metal Garages
1-Car metal garages are designed to comfortably fit a single sedan-sized vehicle, and often range between 12 and 20 feet wide.
Two-Car Metal Garages
A two-car garage ranges from 20 to 24 ft. wide and is great for folks who want space for two vehicles, and those who desire extra space for projects, storage, entertainment, or hobbies.
Three-Car Metal Garages
Need space for multiple vehicles? You’ll want to go with a triple-wide metal garage. These tend to span 26–36 ft wide and offer much-needed breathing room for multi-car families.
RV Garages
RV metal garages are often taller, wider, and are a solid choice for keeping your oversized vehicles in good condition year-round.
Metal Garage Size Guide
How does each metal garage type stack up against the others in terms of offerings?
| Garage Type | Typical Width | Average Base Cost | Best for: |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Car Metal Garages | 12’ to 20’ Wide | $2,640-$8,000 | One vehicle, tools, small storage. |
| Two-Car Metal Garages | 20’ to 24’ Wide | $4,400-$9,600 | Two cars, One SUV, household storage. |
| Three-Car Garages | 26’ to 36’ Wide | $5,720-$14,400 | Multi-vehicle parking, SUVs, boats, hobby/workspace, long-term use. |
| RV Garages | 18’-24’ Wide | $3,960- $9,600 | Recreational vehicles, motor homes, campers, boats, and more. |
What to Do Before You Buy
A few things are worth keeping in mind before you settle on a design or finalize anything:
For the best results, there are several things you’ll want to cover before settling on a metal garage size or design. Tracking these can prevent headaches, disruptions, budget issues, and anything that stands between you and your completed building:
Measure your property and vehicles
Not the “eyeball it from the porch” kind of measuring. Grab a tape measure so you can check lengths, widths, door clearance, and the space around your driveway or yard.
Determine how you’ll use your building
Today’s car shelter has a way of becoming tomorrow’s workshop or storage shed, or both. It helps to plan with the future version of what you may need in mind.
Clear the site and secure permits before building
You’ll need to remove any vegetation from your build site, grade the soil, secure permits from local building officials (if necessary; click here for more information on permitting), and contact concrete experts to lay the foundation.
Go certified
A certified building is engineered to handle your area’s wind, snow, or seismic pressure. This not only guarantees that your custom metal garage is up to the surrounding weather, but it will also help you breeze through the permitting process since your building is already engineered to code.
Go bigger if the budget allows
Almost nobody regrets adding a couple feet. But plenty of folks wish they had increased in size once the building is already up.
Plan electrical and plumbing before installation
Planning amenities is much simpler and cheaper if you map them out before the building goes up.
Also Read: Standard Garage Sizes
Which Metal Garage Size Is Best for Me?
It really does come down to what you’re storing and how much elbow room you like. Think about your habits, not just your vehicles.
- If you want a simple setup for a single car, go with a one-car steel garage.
- If you need some extra room or want to house a second vehicle, upgrade to a two-car garage.
- If you think you’ll need extra space in the future, choose a two or three-car garage.
- If you want workshop space, choosing a three-car garage can offer the extra square footage for comfort.
How Much Do Metal Garages Cost?
Metal garage prices can vary due to the number of components and factors that go into each structure. Building size, roofing style, doors and windows, premium colors, and insulation can all affect the final cost of your building.
Then there’s foundation prep and any permits your area requires. These will impact your project as well. As such, it’s important to budget for your preferred design and speak with trusted building specialists at Direct Metal Structures to lock in the right price for you.
Why Choose a Certified Metal Garage?
The certification process showcases that a building’s design has been tested against the wind speeds and snow loads in your region. It guarantees that your building is designed to handle the world around you and makes the permitting process a breeze since your design already meets local code.
Direct Metal Structures Is Your Trusted Source for High Quality Metal Garages
Buying a metal garage can be a bigger decision than it seems at first, but Direct is here with you every step of the way. From choosing the right size for your property to sorting out the little details you didn’t know you’d need to think about, we’ve got you covered in more ways than one.
When you work with us, you get:
- Local knowledge about your region’s codes and rating requirements.
- Certified engineering tailored for your local weather conditions.
- A wide range of customization options.
- Dedicated support from beginning to end.
- Leading warranties and craftsmanship guarantees.
- Financing and RTO options on select structures.
Ready to get started on your garage design? Call us today at 888-277-7950 for a FREE quote on your unique structure, and let’s make something great.
FAQs About Metal Garage Sizes
Before buying something as substantial as a pre-engineered metal garage, you're bound to have a few questions. To help, we've gone ahead and answered some of the ones we see most often:
1. What size garage fits a full-size pickup?
Answer: A 24×30 metal garage usually gives you enough room to walk around comfortably and open doors without the awkward squeeze.
2. Is a 12×20 enough for one car?
Answer: Usually, yes. You’ll get the car inside, with a little room left, though not much for extras.
3. How tall should the garage be for SUVs or lifted trucks?
Answer: Plenty of owners go with 10-foot walls and a taller garage door for extra breathing room. RV garages may need even more clearance.
4. Can an RV fit inside a standard metal garage?
Answer: Yes. Most RVs require a taller design, so you’ll want to plan your building based on your vehicle’s measurements.
5. Should I size up if I want a workbench or tools inside?
Answer: It’s a good idea. Workbenches and tool cabinets take up more room than you expect once they’re in place.
