Side Entry Vs. End Entry – Which Is Best For Garage?

Whether you are building a new home or a personal garage space, deciding the layout for easy entry & exit of daily use cars is important. For single car parking space, it is pretty simple, but for parking two or more cars, things can get tricky. It depends on how many cars you want to access on a daily basis, the space available for a free-flow design, and most importantly – which way is better for a garage side entry or end entry.

Understanding Garage Entry Types

Generally, there are two ways to design an entryway for a garage, especially for parking multiple cars. It can be either an end/ front entry or a side entry.

Side Entry Metal Garages

What Is It? The doors are installed along the length [longest part] of the garage building instead of front or back. This type of design leads to a backyard or a side yard.

Example: It is suitable for a 3 car side entry metal garage or when parking more than one vehicle as it doesn’t take up the front space.

Its Uses: It is usually suitable for a workshop area, storage, easy access to the backyard, or for creating a separate entrance while keeping the main home entry private.

End Entry Steel Garages

What Is It? Here, the door is at the front or the end of the garage structure. This type of design directly faces the driveway or street and takes roughly 30% of the home facade.

Example: It is suitable for a single car garage for an easy drive in & out.

Its Uses: It is easy to access your primary car and is one of the most common residential garage setups you can find.

Pros & Cons Of A Side Entry Garage

Advantages: Here are the reasons to buy a side entry garage for your home.

• Better Access – Since the doors are located on the sides, you can easily access tools, equipment, storage areas, etc., without opening up the entire garage space. You can even add a walk-in door to access storage or workshop space. 

• Better Functionality – You can create zoning within the garage space, such as having separate entry points for each vehicle, a dedicated area for the workshop, and a separate area for storage. This division helps keep the indoors organized and makes it more functional.

• Better Ventilation – One can easily add windows to allow natural lighting and better air circulation inside the parking garage. It helps keep out toxic fumes and odors, reduces moisture and humidity, & creates a comfortable place to work.

• Convenient – Homeowners can store garden tools, lawnmowers, and other large equipment in a side entry garage and quickly access them via a walk-in door without rolling up the entire parking door. It helps save time & effort and lets you keep the garage clean.

• Increase Privacy – With side entry, you get a separate entrance for the workshop, parking, or home office. It increases privacy as you can enter & exit the garage without disturbing the main living area of the home.

• Potential Future Expansion – Expanding a side entry parking space is easier than the front/ end entry one as more metal panels can be added to increase the length and create more room for future needs. A side entry garage maximizes efficiency and makes your home future-proof.

Disadvantages: Some cons of side entry garages are:

• Space Constraints – A side entry car garage needs extra space along the sides to get installed. This may not be feasible for a home with a narrow yard or a limited amount of side space. You may need to check setback rules for specific areas before choosing a side entry parking.

• Cost – The cost of side entry may be higher as it needs more doors & window framing and a wider pathway. However, the benefits outweigh the cost for some homeowners in terms of main home appeal, convenience, and a better return on investment.

• Weather Exposure – Based on the location, the side entry parking garage may expose vehicles & stored items to rain, sun, and snow. Hence, all entry points need to be robust & secured correctly to avoid any security risks.

Pros & Cons Of End Entry Garage

Advantages: Some pros of end or front entry garages are:

• Space Efficiency – This design is best for homes with narrow lots or homes with limited yard space. By designing the garage door in front/ end of the structure, the footprint of the garage is minimized, which ensures maximum use of available space. 

• Lower Cost – Constructing an end entry garage costs less than a side entry since it needs less framing and materials like door & window frames during installation. However, the final cost mostly depends on the design, size, additional features you choose, and location of installation.

• Simpler Design – The design of a front or end entry garage is simple and does not require a lot of modification in the basic steel frames of the structure. But, it is likely to restrict you from expanding for extra space in the future. 

• Enhance Security – Having few entry points, the end-entry parking structure is less vulnerable to theft and potential intruders.

• Traditional Appeal – Most homes have end or front entry garages, making them an ideal choice for new home buyers.

Disadvantages: Some cons of end or front entry garages are:

• Limited Access – The biggest drawback of the end entry garage is its limited accessibility to the stored items. For example, if you installed a parking garage for 2 cars with end entry, one car will be in tandem, making it difficult to access. It might create a challenge to access frequently used tools & equipment stored at the back of the garage.

• Less Functional – Creating a separate zone for the workshop, storage, and parking can be difficult and can make the indoor more cluttered and disorganized. 

• Poor Ventilation – Fewer entry points can restrict airflow and lighting towards the end of the garage. This can lead to molding and humidity build-up inside. During hot & humid weather, it will be hard to work inside as opening doors can lead to a full street view, which can hinder privacy.

• Inconvenient – Any items kept at the end of the garage will be hard to access as homeowners have to navigate through all items in the front first to reach what they are looking for. Not only is it tiring, but it also leads to a waste of time.

Which Way Is Better For A Garage Side Entry Or End Entry?

Both types of entryways have their pros and cons. It finally boiled down to individual needs. Now, if you are wondering which entry you should pick, what size and design to choose, and how to plan your garage parking structure, here are some factors that will help you choose the right entry for your garage:

• Intended Use: Do you own two or more vehicles and need to access them frequently? If so, a side entry 2 or 3 car garage will be ideal. If you only have one car or need to access a single vehicle on a daily basis, you can opt for two-car end entry parking.

• Property Layout: If your property has a narrow lot or a limited yard space, then an end-entry garage is suitable for you. It helps you design space-efficient parking without invading the sideyard. However, if you have a large lot and want a dedicated workshop, opt for a two car side entry garage. You can park your car in one and use the remaining space as a workshop easily.

• Budget: If budget is your major concern, an end entry garage will be more cost-effective as it will need fewer frame cut-outs for large roll-up doors.

• Value: Does the side entry garage add value to your property? The answer is yes! Most front/ end entry garages take up 30% of the home facade, decreasing its aesthetic appeal. So, if you want to add value to your property, opt for side-entry parking.

Discover Your Ideal Garage Entry Today!

Considering these features, pros, and cons, you can easily make a decision that will make your property shine. But, one thing that matters the most is the quality of the garage, its maintenance needs, and longevity. That’s why at Viking Metal Garages, we offer superior-built, long-lasting, and low-maintenance side entry metal garages at reasonable prices. Call today at (704)-741-1587 for a free quote.