The garage opening is only as wide as its narrowest fixed edge.
When a side-entry turn is close, the difference between a framing dimension and the finished opening can decide whether the body corner has comfortable clearance. Jamb liners, weather seals, vertical tracks, guide rails, trim and center posts all deserve a deliberate check.
Build a “clearance stack”
Think from the structural opening inward. Each fixed element can consume some width. You do not need to add every component mathematically if you can measure the finished opening directly, but the stack is useful during design when the door has not been installed yet.
| Element | Potential effect | Planning action |
|---|---|---|
| Finished jamb | Reduces clear width from rough framing. | Request the finished inside-to-inside dimension. |
| Vertical track / guide | Can project into the opening. | Use the inner face if it is the narrowest fixed edge. |
| Weather seal | Soft but still occupies space and can brush mirrors/body. | Keep it outside your preferred comfort margin. |
| Decorative trim | May project beyond the structural jamb. | Include it if the vehicle can contact it. |
| Center pier | Creates a hard inside corner between single bays. | Treat each bay as its own opening. |
Do not measure only at floor level
Vehicle bodies are widest at different heights. Mirrors may be above the beltline; fender flares may be lower. GarageTurn uses body width for the main geometry, but a field check should include any hardware or trim that narrows the opening at the height your vehicle occupies.
Mirrors are a separate check
Mirrors may fold, and their swept path is not identical to the body rectangle. For the simulator, enter body width, then separately verify mirror clearance at the opening and during the turn. If daily use depends on folding mirrors every time, treat that as an operational constraint rather than hidden spare clearance.
Design target: repeatable, not just technically possible
Protecting a finished jamb from daily near-misses is part of a good layout. When the model says TIGHT, widening the clear opening by a few inches may matter more than it would on a straight-in garage because the vehicle is still angled as it crosses the wall plane.
See clear opening vs nominal door size and single vs double openings.
Frequently asked questions
Should garage-door tracks count in the opening width?
Yes if they are the narrowest fixed edges the vehicle can contact. Use the finished clear passage, not the framing or nominal door width.
Should I include mirrors in the GarageTurn vehicle width?
Use body width for the main model and check mirrors separately, because mirrors can fold and do not follow the same body-corner envelope.