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What Size 2-Car Garage Kit Do I Really Need? (1-Car, 2-Car, and 3-Car Dimensions)
You have the perfect spot in the yard picked out. You are ready to build, and you have likely been browsing various two-car garage kits to find the right fit. But then you look at the dimensions: 12x24, 16x20, 16x32. Do these numbers actually translate to a "2-car garage," or will you be squeezing out of your door like a sardine?
Sizing a DIY garage kit is tricky because kit dimensions are often different from standard residential garage dimensions. Most home-built garages are 20 to 24 feet wide. However, because DIY kits must be shipped on pallets, they are often narrower (12 or 16 feet).
If you are eyeing a Best Barns kit like the Tailored Titan or Maker’s Loft, you need to understand exactly what fits inside before you buy. Here is the realistic breakdown of 2-car garage kits.
Key Takeaways
- The "Standard" is 24x24: A comfortable side-by-side 2-car garage is typically 24 feet wide by 24 feet deep.
- Kit Limitations: Most DIY wood kits (like Best Barns) max out at 16 feet wide due to shipping constraints, making them strictly 1-car or "tandem" 2-car structures.
- Tandem is the Secret: You can fit two cars in a Best Barns kit if you choose a long model (e.g., 12' x 32' or 16' x 28') and park them nose-to-tail.
- Mind the Depth: A standard sedan needs 20 feet of depth; a full-size truck needs at least 24 feet.
- Door Clearance: You need at least 2.5 feet of clearance on each side of your car to open the doors comfortably.
The "Standard" 2-Car Garage (And Why Kits Are Different)
In the construction world, a standard side-by-side 2-car garage is 24 feet wide by 24 feet deep (576 sq. ft.).
- Width: You need 8–9 feet per car width, plus 3 feet between them, and 3 feet on the walls. That equals roughly 22–24 feet.
- Depth: You need 18 feet for the car and 2–4 feet for walking space.
The DIY Kit Reality
The DIY Kit Reality: Most wood DIY kits, including Best Barns, do not come in 24-foot widths. The trusses required for that span are too large to ship easily on a standard truck.
- Best Barns Max Width: Typically 16 feet (Maker’s Loft series).
- Best Barns Common Width: 12 feet (Tailored Titan series).
This means if you want a Best Barns 2-car garage, you are likely looking at a Tandem Garage setup (parking one car behind the other) rather than side-by-side.
1-Car Garage Kit Sizing (12' Wide)
This is the most common DIY kit size. The Tailored Titan Standard is a classic example.
- Dimensions: 12' Wide x 20' or 24' Deep.
- What Fits: One sedan, small SUV, or compact pickup.
- Comfort Level: Snug. A standard car is about 6 to 6.5 feet wide. In a 12-foot wide shed, you have roughly 2.5 feet on either side to open your doors.
- Pro Tip: If you have a full-size truck (like an F-150), you absolutely need the 24-foot depth. A 20-foot deep garage will likely be too short once you account for the bumper and the garage door track.
2-Car Garage Kit Sizing (16' Wide or Tandem)
Since you cannot park two modern cars side-by-side in a 16-foot wide building (you wouldn't be able to open the doors), you have two options for a "2-car" setup with these kits.
Option A: The Tandem Setup (Nose-to-Tail) This is the most practical solution for DIY kits. You buy a long, narrow kit.
- Recommended Kit: Maker’s Loft XL (16' x 28' or 16' x 32').
- How it Works: You park your daily driver in the back and your weekend car (or lawn tractor) in the front.
- Why it works: You get massive storage space on the sides (since it is 16' wide, you have ~5 feet of clearance on the side of a single car).
Option B: The "Tight Squeeze" (Small Cars Only)
- Dimensions: 16' Wide x 24' Deep.
- What Fits: Two classic cars, two motorcycles, or two very compact cars (like Mini Coopers).
- Warning: You will likely ding your doors. We do not recommend trying to park two daily drivers side-by-side in a 16-foot wide kit.
3-Car Garage Considerations
If you need space for three vehicles, a single wood kit will not suffice. You have two main paths:
- Multiple Kits: We have seen customers build two Tailored Titans next to each other. This creates a visually stunning "carriage house" look with two separate bays.
- Metal Buildings: If you need a single structure that is 30+ feet wide, you generally have to switch from wood kits to steel building kits, which use different truss systems to handle the span.
Which Kit Do You Need?
| Vehicle Need | Recommended Kit Size | Best Barns Model |
| 1 Sedan / Small SUV | 12' x 20' | Tailored Titan Standard |
| 1 Full-Size Truck | 12' x 24' (or Tall Model) | Tailored Titan Tall |
| 1 Car + Workshop | 16' x 24' | Maker’s Loft XL |
| 2 Cars (Tandem) | 16' x 32' | Maker’s Loft XL |
| 2 Cars (Side-by-Side) | Not available in single wood kit | Build (2) Tailored Titans |
The Critical "Depth" Factor
Width gets all the attention, but depth is where most mistakes happen.
- 20 Feet Deep: Minimum for a sedan. You will have no room for a workbench in front of the car.
- 24 Feet Deep: Comfortable for an SUV/Truck plus some shelving in front.
- 28-32 Feet Deep: Luxury. You can park a car and still have a full workshop at the back of the garage.
Have any questions or would like to place an order? We'd love to help! Chat with our friendly customer service team by calling 1-844-945-3625, chatting in on our website or email us at customersupport@wildoaktrail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit a Ford F-150 in a 20-foot deep garage?
Probably not. A crew cab truck is often nearly 20 feet long. You need the 24-foot deep kit to close the garage door safely.
Is 16 feet wide enough for two cars?
Technically yes, but practically no. You would only have inches between the cars and walls. It is better used as a spacious 1-car garage with storage.
Do these kits come with floors?
No. You must pour a concrete slab (recommended for 2-car weight) or build a heavy-duty wood floor using the optional floor kit.
What is the door opening size on these kits?
Most Best Barns kits feature an 8-foot wide by 7-foot high opening. Ensure your vehicle mirrors fit through an 8-foot gap.
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