What Are the Standard Garage Door Heights? Can You Make a Garage Door Opening Bigger?

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:36:20 GMT

What Are the Standard Garage Door Heights? Can You Make a Garage Door Opening Bigger?

A homeowner’s guide from The Lift , the Central Garage Door blog.

When homeowners across New Hampshire think about replacing a garage door or upgrading their garage, two questions come up again and again:

• What are the standard garage door heights?
• Can you make a garage door opening bigger?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from common residential and commercial door sizes to custom options and what’s involved in enlarging your garage opening.

Standard Garage Door Heights for Residential Homes

Most homes in New Hampshire feature one of these standard garage door heights :

7 feet (the most common in homes built 1970–2010)
8 feet (common in newer homes)
9–10 feet (used for lifted trucks, SUVs, or extra storage clearance)

Paired with standard widths:

8'x7' or 9'x7' for single doors
16'x7' for double doors

If you’re updating an older NH home — especially in areas like Concord, Laconia, or Manchester — you’re likely replacing a 7-foot door.

Commercial Garage Door Heights

Businesses and municipal buildings often require taller overhead doors. Common commercial heights include:

10 feet
12 feet
14 feet
16 feet and above

Commercial sizing depends heavily on equipment, vehicle height, or operational needs.

Can You Make a Garage Door Opening Bigger?

Yes — you can absolutely enlarge a garage door opening.

This is common when homeowners add:

A larger SUV or truck
A camper or tall roof rack
A workshop
Storage systems inside the garage

But enlarging an opening is not a plug-and-play door swap. It often involves structural changes .

Increasing Garage Door Height

To raise the height of your garage door opening, a contractor may need to:

Modify or replace the header — the load-bearing beam above the door
Reframe sections of the front wall
Adjust tracks and torsion springs
Install a taller door and opener rail

Because the header supports part of the roof load, this should only be done by a trained professional.

Increasing Garage Door Width

Widening a garage door requires:

Cutting back and reframing the side jambs
Replacing the header with a longer beam
Adjusting track systems and torsion springs
Ensuring weight distribution remains safe

In most cases, garages can be widened 1–2 feet , sometimes more depending on construction.

How Much Bigger Can You Go?

In many New Hampshire stick-built garages, you can safely go:

1–2 feet wider
1–2 feet taller

For anything larger, Jeff and Julie will want to get your contractor involved (if you need one, we know some good ones!).

Are Custom Garage Door Sizes Available?

Yes.
CHI Overhead Doors (Central Garage Door’s primary manufacturer) offers custom sizing across most styles (- we can also order custom heights from other manufactures, or go full custom with your design):

This means you may not need structural changes — we can simply order a door built to your exact opening.

��Learn more on our Custom Overhead Doors page.

Do You Need a Permit to Enlarge a Garage Door Opening?

In many NH towns, yes , because:

You’re altering a structural opening
The building inspector must approve the new header size
Work affects wall and roof load-bearing elements

Julie and Jeff can help guide you through what your town typically requires.

When Should You Upgrade to a Larger Garage Door?

Homeowners upgrade to larger doors when:

Buying a lifted truck or SUV
Adding a camper, roof box, or storage rack
Switching to a workshop or hobby space
Replacing old 7' doors with modern 8' models

A larger door can dramatically improve convenience and positively impact overall property value.

How Central Garage Door Can Help

Jeff & Julie make the process simple:

Free on-site measurement
Structural guidance on what’s feasible
CHI door options in standard & custom sizes
Professional installation
Opener upgrades for taller doors

And because we’re based in Pittsfield, NH , we proudly serve towns within about 60 minutes , including Concord, Bow, Laconia, Rochester, Manchester, Exeter, and Wolfeboro.

Thinking About Going Bigger? Let’s Take a Look.

Whether you want a taller garage door, a wider opening, or simply need help choosing the right size, we’re here to help.

�� Call us at (603) 435-7557
�� julie@centralgaragedoor.com

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What Are the Standard Garage Door Heights? Can You Make a Garage Door Opening Bigger?