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

Julie Brown • November 24, 2025

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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:


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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