SIZE GUIDE

Metal Building Sizes & Prices

Choosing the right size is the most important decision in your metal building project. Too small and you outgrow it in two years. Too large and you are paying for space you do not need. Here is a practical guide to the most common sizes, what they cost, and what they are best for.

Common Sizes at a Glance

Price ranges reflect Georgia market turnkey costs, including site work, foundation, steel, erection, and basic finish. Your actual price depends on site conditions, finish level, and mechanical requirements.

24x30

720 SF
$14K - $54K

Single-car workshop, small storage, hobby shop

Foundation Monolithic slab
Doors 1 walk door, 1 overhead (10x10)

30x40

1,200 SF
$24K - $90K

Two-car garage, small workshop, farm equipment storage

Foundation Monolithic slab
Doors 1 walk door, 1-2 overhead (10x10 or 12x12)

30x50

1,500 SF
$30K - $113K

Workshop, small commercial, equipment barn

Foundation Monolithic slab
Doors 1-2 walk doors, 1-2 overhead (12x12)

40x60

2,400 SF
$48K - $180K

Auto shop, small warehouse, agricultural barn, church

Foundation Monolithic or pier-and-beam
Doors 2 walk doors, 2 overhead (12x14 or 14x14)

40x80

3,200 SF
$64K - $240K

Large workshop, small manufacturing, retail, office

Foundation Pier-and-beam or monolithic
Doors 2-3 walk doors, 2 overhead (14x14)

50x100

5,000 SF
$100K - $375K

Warehouse, manufacturing, church, commercial flex

Foundation Engineered pier-and-beam
Doors Multiple walk doors, 2-3 overhead or dock doors

60x80

4,800 SF
$96K - $360K

Manufacturing, distribution, large commercial

Foundation Engineered pier-and-beam
Doors Multiple walk/overhead, optional dock high

60x100

6,000 SF
$120K - $450K

Warehouse, self-storage, large manufacturing

Foundation Engineered pier-and-beam
Doors Multiple configurations, dock doors common

80x100

8,000 SF
$160K - $600K

Large warehouse, distribution center, multi-tenant

Foundation Deep piers, engineered slab
Doors Dock high, overhead, personnel — as needed

100x200

20,000 SF
$400K - $1.5M

Distribution hub, large manufacturing, self-storage facility

Foundation Deep engineered foundation system
Doors Full dock package, multiple man doors, fire exits

How to Choose the Right Size

The right size depends on what goes inside and how the space flows. Here is the process we walk through with every client.

1

List what goes inside

Measure every vehicle, piece of equipment, workstation, or storage unit that will live in the building. Draw it out on graph paper or a napkin. Include dimensions.

2

Plan circulation space

Aisles, work zones, staging areas, vehicle turning radius, forklift lanes. A 40-foot-wide building sounds big until you park a truck and a forklift inside. Allow 12-15 feet for drive aisles.

3

Consider ceiling height

What is the tallest thing going inside? Overhead doors, lift equipment, racking systems, ceiling fans, and HVAC ductwork all eat into usable height. Standard eave heights are 12-16 feet.

4

Think about doors and access

Where do vehicles enter and exit? Do you need dock-high doors for truck loading? How many personnel doors? Overhead door sizes (10x10, 12x12, 14x14) affect wall framing and cost.

5

Add a growth buffer

If the building will serve you for 20+ years, add 10-20% to your floor area. It is dramatically cheaper to build bigger now than to add on later. A 50x100 costs far less per square foot than a 40x80 plus a 10x20 addition.

Custom Sizes

Pre-engineered metal buildings are not limited to standard sizes. Our PE engineers design buildings to your exact specifications. Common customizations include:

  • Non-standard widths (any dimension, not just 10-foot increments)
  • Extra-tall eave heights for cranes, mezzanines, or racking (up to 40+ feet)
  • Multiple roof slopes or varying eave heights across the building
  • L-shaped, T-shaped, or other non-rectangular footprints
  • Lean-to additions for covered loading or equipment storage
  • Future expansion provisions (end-wall framing designed for removal)

Custom sizing does not dramatically increase cost. The engineering is already custom for every building we design. Tell us what you need and we will make it fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular metal building size?
The 40x60 (2,400 SF) is the most commonly requested size. It is large enough for a serious workshop, small warehouse, or agricultural building, but small enough to keep costs manageable. For commercial use, 50x100 and 60x100 are the most popular sizes because they provide efficient clear-span space for warehousing and manufacturing.
Can I get a custom size metal building?
Yes. Pre-engineered metal buildings can be designed to virtually any width, length, and eave height. Standard bay spacing is typically 20-25 feet, and widths commonly range from 24 to 200+ feet. Our PE engineers design custom buildings to your exact specifications, including non-rectangular footprints, multiple roof slopes, and varying eave heights.
What eave height do I need?
Standard eave heights are 12-16 feet for most commercial and agricultural buildings. If you need overhead doors taller than 14 feet, ceiling-mounted equipment, or overhead crane systems, you will need taller eave heights (18-30+ feet). Taller buildings cost more due to heavier columns and additional wind bracing. We help you determine the right height during design.
What is clear-span vs. multi-span?
Clear-span means no interior columns — the entire width is open. This is ideal for warehouses, workshops, and any use where interior columns would be in the way. Multi-span uses interior columns to support wider buildings more economically. Buildings wider than 80-100 feet often use multi-span design unless clear-span is specifically required. Clear-span costs more per square foot due to heavier framing.
How do I choose the right size for my project?
Start with your primary use case and work outward. Measure the equipment, vehicles, or inventory that will go inside. Add circulation space (aisles, work zones, staging areas). Add 10-20% buffer for future growth. Consider ceiling height requirements for equipment, racking, or overhead doors. We walk through this process with every client during our initial consultation.
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