Today’s garages are a key feature in most homes. While they provide functional value by offering space for vehicles and other storage, they also create your desired visual impact with strategically styled garage doors. However, the earliest garages were far different from those we know today. Here’s a brief look into the history of these convenient, versatile spaces.

What Are the Origins of the Garage?

Before homeowners had vehicles, they relied on horses and carriages for transportation. A detached structure known as a carriage house was usually used to store them—sometimes in the same space. The typical carriage house featured swinging doors and dirt floors. 

Even as the first vehicles were being introduced, they remained outside in separate outbuildings. Carriage houses were still the primary storage spaces for automobiles, but these spaces were becoming increasingly crowded. With the livestock, vehicles, and tools to fix the vehicles being stored in them, it quickly became apparent that these spaces needed an upgrade. The early 1900s saw the birth of the first garage, which came from the French word garer, which means to shelter. The first garage featured a large space within communities where automobile owners could store their vehicles. 

How Did It Transform Over Time?

While early public garages solved the issue of crowded carriage houses by placing vehicles elsewhere, the arrangement was still inconvenient. Owners would have to get to the shared space to retrieve their vehicle. For this reason, some homeowners began incorporating private garages into their home architecture. These small, confined spaces still relied on old carriage doors, which could be cumbersome to maneuver. 

In 1921, innovator C. G. Johnson addressed the carriage door issue by inventing the first overhead garage doors. Featuring hinged panels that bent as the door was raised, this alleviated the hassle of carriage doors. Because it could still be difficult to lift the heavy doors, however, Johnson refined his invention by creating the electric garage door opener just five years later. 

Over the years, the residential garage was further refined. As the sliding tracks of electric garage doors called for ample space, people had to build larger garages, which opened up new storage options. Safety features were also added, as well as automatic openers. With its enhanced functionality and space, the modern garage is now commonly a space for car repairs, sporting goods and tool storage, and even the main entry and exit point for the house. 

If you’re seeking new garage doors for your home, turn to Tracey Door Co. With a longstanding history of customer satisfaction, this third-generation family business is committed to helping residents in Rochester, NY, find the perfect fit for their homes. Find out more about their installation and maintenance services online, or call (585) 426-6060 to discuss your needs with one of their team members.