When designing a pole barn or garage, overhead doors are one of the most important decisions you’ll make. They affect how the building functions every day — what fits inside, how easily you can move equipment, and how comfortable the space feels over time.
Most door-related issues don’t come from bad products. They come from early design decisions that didn’t account for how the building would actually be used.
At Apex Structures, we plan overhead doors as part of the full build — coordinating sizing, framing, and layout before construction begins so everything works the way it should.
roof style that makes sense before anything gets built.
1. Choose the Right Door Size for Real Use
One of the most common mistakes is sizing doors based on current needs instead of future use.
Trucks get larger. Trailers change. Equipment gets added.
If the door is too small, there’s no easy fix later.
General sizing guidelines:
- Standard vehicles or small equipment: 8’–9′ wide x 7’–8′ tall
- Full-size trucks or work vans: 10′ wide x 8’–10′ tall
- RVs and larger trailers: 12’–14′ wide x 12’–14′ tall
- Drive-through bays: doors on both ends for pull-through access
We often recommend going slightly larger than you think you need. The cost difference during construction is minor compared to the limitation of a door that doesn’t work.
2. Frame the Opening Correctly — and Allow for Hardware
Overhead doors install inside the framed opening, and the hardware requires additional space that’s often overlooked.
A common misconception is that you can size the structure first and “fit” the door later. In reality, the building needs to be designed around the door system.
For example, a 10′ x 10′ door typically requires:
- A true 10′ x 10′ framed opening
- 12″–18″ of headroom above for tracks and springs (varies by manufacturer)
If this isn’t planned correctly, you can run into issues with opener selection, track configuration, or usable door height.
We coordinate door specs with framing and truss design early so everything fits without compromise.
3. Don’t Overlook Insulation — Especially in Utah
Even if your building starts as storage, there’s a good chance it won’t stay that way.
Uninsulated overhead doors are one of the biggest sources of heat loss and condensation inside a building.
Upgrading to insulated doors:
- Helps regulate interior temperature
- Reduces condensation buildup
- Protects tools, vehicles, and materials
- Adds strength and durability to the door itself
Most of our builds use insulated doors in the R-10 to R-17 range with polyurethane cores, depending on how the space will be used.
4. Think Through Placement and Access
Door placement has a bigger impact than most people expect.
It affects:
- Snow buildup and removal
- Wind exposure on larger doors
- Driveway approach and turning radius
- Interior layout and workflow
A door in the wrong location can create daily frustration, even if everything else about the building is done well.
We look at the full site — not just the structure — to position doors where they function best.
5. Plan for Upgrades While It’s Easy
Some features are simple to include during construction but difficult to add later:
- Windows in overhead doors for natural light
- Side-mounted jackshaft openers for taller or cleaner interiors
- Matching walk doors for everyday access
- Framing for future door expansion
Even if you don’t install everything upfront, planning for it now gives you flexibility down the road.
Build It Once — and Make Sure It Works
A well-designed building isn’t only about structure. It’s about how you use it every day.
Door size, framing, and placement all need to work together. If one piece is off, you feel it over time.
At Apex Structures, we design around real use — not assumptions — so your building works the way you expect from day one.
Contact Apex today to plan your build — and your doors — the right way from the start.