Determining what pole barn size you need is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a new building. Whether you’re storing vehicles, housing animals, protecting equipment, or building a workshop, the wrong pole barn size can quickly become a costly mistake.
At Backwoods Buildings & Truss, we regularly help customers determine the best DIY pole barn kit sizes based on their land, equipment, and long-term needs. Over time, we’ve seen common patterns…people either build too small, build unnecessarily tall, or don’t plan for future expansion.
This guide explains how to determine the right pole barn size, based on real builder experience and the most common applications we see.
The first step in choosing a pole barn size is understanding exactly how the building will be used.
When customers contact us asking “what size pole barn do I need?”, the first question we ask is simple:
What are you planning to store or do inside the building?
The answer determines the building’s:
Some of the most common uses we see include:
Many customers already have equipment they want to protect from the weather. The key is measuring those items first instead of estimating.
For example:
Taking the time to measure before ordering a DIY pole barn kit ensures the building will actually function the way you intend.
Another major factor when choosing a pole barn size is whether the design matches standard truss dimensions.
At our facility, our most common gable truss widths include:
Our standard pole barn sizes are commonly produced in our truss fabrication shop and typically in ready supply. Because these sizes don’t require special materials or custom adjustments, they avoid extra time or costs. As a result, customers get the best price per square foot when their building aligns with these standard pole barn sizes.
When buildings are designed outside these common widths, materials may need to be customized, which can increase the overall project cost and time-frame on production.
If your project can align with a standard truss width, it typically results in the most cost-effective and timely DIY pole barn kit size.
Although every project is unique, several pole barn sizes consistently work well for common residential and agricultural needs.
One of the most frequently purchased DIY pole barn kit sizes is the 24×36×10 pole barn.
This size works well for:
Many homeowners choose this size because it provides enough interior space without overwhelming a typical residential property. Also, the cost on this 864 sq ft building kit is most affordable averaging around $3.25-3.75 sq ft.
The 24×36 pole barn is often considered a strong balance between affordability and functionality.
For customers specifically looking for an RV pole barn size, the 16×36×14 pole barn is one of the most practical options.
Benefits of this configuration include:
Many RV owners prefer storing their vehicle on their own property instead of paying monthly storage costs. Average storage rental spaces in North West Florida range from $150 to well over $300 per month depending on location and amenities.
A 14-foot eave height is almost always sufficient for RVs, but measuring your specific vehicle is still recommended.
Larger buildings such as 40×60 pole barns or 50×96 pole barns are common for agricultural or commercial uses. These pole barn kits require a larger tract of land and are not typical purchases for the common neighborhood dweller.
Typical applications include:
These larger buildings require:
However, they provide significantly more storage capacity and operational flexibility.
Need help choosing the right pole barn size?
Click here to get your FREE QUOTE TODAY or call our office at 850-676-4903.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is customers designing a building only for their immediate needs.
Many customers initially build a pole barn to solve one specific problem but we all know that as space for storage increases our ability to acquire more items comes into full swing.
This often leads to adding:
When planning a pole barn, it’s smart to position the building on your property where future expansions are possible. If you can help it, stay away from:
Even if you don’t build the extra space today, leaving room for future additions can save significant construction costs later.
Height is one of the most misunderstood aspects of pole barn design.
Customers often choose a height based on guesswork rather than measurement. While it may not always cause disaster, you risk limiting your barn’s functionality if its built too short or too tall.
If the pole barn is too short, equipment may not fit through the eaves or under the trusses. Remember, eave height on pole barns, or top of post height, typically doesn’t include the truss drop inside the post.
This is especially problematic for:
Correcting a pole barn height that is too short usually requires significant structural changes such as replacing posts or completely rebuilding the structure.
On the other hand, some customers build taller than necessary.
For many residential pole barns, a 12-foot eave height is sufficient.
Increasing height can increase cost because taller structures may require:
Choosing the correct height based on your equipment measurements is the best approach.
We recently worked with a customer who owned a large tract of land and ordered a 32×48×14 pole barn with a wrap-around lean-to porch.
The design included:
Just before the kit shipped, the customer called with a concern.
He had decided to install horse stalls inside the building, but the layout didn’t provide enough room for the stalls and aisle ways.
To make the layout functional, the building width needed to increase from 32 feet to 40 feet.
Because the project was custom, we rebuilt the design as a 40×48×14 pole barn kit and added the materials necessary for the expanded porch structure.
Fortunately, the customer owned 40 acres, so the original materials will still be used for a future building but did cost the customer several thousand dollars for the new roof kit.
Our staff at Backwoods Buildings are more than happy to assist customer in planning their pole barn sizes to help prevent any regrets after construction.
One of the most common residential pole barn sizes is 24×36. This size works well for vehicle storage, backyard workshops, and small equipment storage while still fitting comfortably on most residential properties.
A typical RV pole barn size is 16×36 with a 14-foot eave height. This provides adequate clearance for most RVs while allowing space for doors and maneuvering.
However, always measure your RV height and length before choosing a building size.
Smaller buildings that match standard truss sizes are usually the most affordable. Sizes like 24×36 or 20×30 often provide the best cost per square foot because they use common materials and require fewer structural components.
For residential use, 12-foot eave heights are often sufficient.
For RVs, tall equipment, or agricultural machinery, buildings may require 14-foot or greater clearance depending on the equipment.
Yes, many pole barns can be expanded by adding lean-to structures or additional bays. However, the original building placement should allow enough space for expansion.
Planning for expansion during the design phase makes future additions much easier.
Selecting the right DIY pole barn kit size requires balancing several factors:
The best approach is to measure your equipment, plan the interior layout, and choose a standard pole barn size whenever possible.
Taking time to plan correctly ensures your building will continue meeting your needs for years to come. If you’re planning your first project, our complete guide to pole barns provides additional construction tips and design ideas.
If you’re planning a new pole barn and want help choosing the right size, our team can help guide you through the process.
We can help you determine the best DIY pole barn kit size based on your property, equipment, and long-term plans.
Click here to get your FREE QUOTE TODAY or call our office at 850-676-4903.
