At Two Way Buildings, we help customers in Waycross and throughout Southeast Georgia think through those details before ordering. This guide will help you avoid choosing a metal building that looks large enough on paper but feels too small once you begin using it.
The Biggest Metal Building Mistake: Only Planning for Today
One of the most common mistakes customers make is choosing a building based only on what they currently own.
You may only need space for one truck and a lawn mower today. A few years from now, you may also have:
- A boat or trailer
- A side-by-side
- A tractor
- Additional tools
- Storage shelves
- A workbench
- A freezer
- Business inventory
- Another vehicle
Once shelves, equipment, and work areas are added, the available floor space can disappear quickly.
Before ordering, ask yourself what may need to fit inside the building over the next five to ten years—not just what you need to store right now.
Start With the Building’s Main Purpose
The best metal building size depends on how you plan to use the structure.
Metal Garages
A metal garage may be used for:
- Cars and trucks
- Boats
- Motorcycles
- Golf carts
- Lawn equipment
- Side-by-sides
- Household storage
- Personal projects
When planning a garage, leave enough room to fully open vehicle doors, walk around the vehicles, and reach shelves or tools without constantly moving something out of the way.
Metal Workshops
A workshop needs more open space than basic storage.
Think about whether you will need room for:
- Workbenches
- Toolboxes
- Air compressors
- Vehicle lifts
- Welding equipment
- Woodworking equipment
- Shelves and cabinets
- Electrical outlets
- Material storage
You should also consider how equipment and projects will move through the building. A workshop can have plenty of square footage but still feel difficult to use if the doors and work areas are placed incorrectly.
Internal Link: Link “metal workshop” to your Metal Workshops page.
Farm and Equipment Buildings
Farm equipment often requires additional width, height, and turning room.
Measure tractors, trailers, mowers, attachments, feed storage, and any other equipment you want to protect. Remember to include mirrors, exhaust pipes, attachments, and other parts that may extend beyond the main body of the equipment.
An open-sided metal building, pole barn, or enclosed equipment building may work depending on how much protection and security you need.
Commercial Metal Buildings
A commercial metal building must be planned around everyday operations.
Consider:
- Customer parking
- Delivery access
- Inventory storage
- Office space
- Restrooms
- Equipment placement
- Work areas
- Future employees
- Loading and unloading
- Local building requirements
A business may outgrow a poorly planned building much faster than a homeowner outgrows a personal garage.
Popular Metal Building Sizes
There is no single best metal building size, but the following dimensions can provide a useful starting point.
20×30 Metal Building
A 20×30 metal building provides approximately 600 square feet of floor space.
This size may work for:
- Basic vehicle storage
- Lawn equipment
- A small workshop
- Motorcycles or ATVs
- Tools and household storage
This can be a practical option for properties with limited space, but it may feel tight if you want multiple vehicles and a dedicated work area.
24×30 Metal Building
A 24×30 building provides approximately 720 square feet.
The additional width can provide more room for:
- Vehicles
- Storage shelves
- Lawn equipment
- A workbench
- Walking space
This is a useful starting point for homeowners who want more than a basic storage building but do not need a large shop.
30×40 Metal Building
A 30×40 metal building provides approximately 1,200 square feet.
This size is commonly considered for:
- Larger garages
- Personal workshops
- Mechanic spaces
- Boat and trailer storage
- Farm equipment
- Small business use
A 30×40 gives you more flexibility to separate parking, storage, and work areas.
40×60 Metal Building
A 40×60 metal building provides approximately 2,400 square feet.
This size may work well for:
- Multiple garage bays
- Large workshops
- Commercial storage
- Tractors and farm equipment
- Business operations
- Barndominium shell projects
A building of this size requires more planning for the property, foundation, access, doors, and interior layout.
Do Not Forget the Building Height
Customers often focus on width and length while overlooking height.
Standard height may work for cars and basic storage, but additional side height may be needed for:
- Lifted trucks
- RVs
- Boats with towers
- Tractors
- Enclosed trailers
- Vehicle lifts
- Tall shelving
- Commercial equipment
Measure the tallest item that will enter the building. Then consider the door opening, framing, roof style, and any lights or equipment that may be installed overhead.
It is much easier to choose the correct height before ordering than to discover later that your vehicle or equipment will not fit.
Choose the Right Door Size and Placement
Your metal building is only useful if you can easily move vehicles and equipment through it.
Before choosing your doors, measure:
- The widest item entering the building
- The tallest item entering the building
- Vehicle mirrors
- Trailer fenders
- Boat towers
- Tractor attachments
- Future vehicles or equipment
You should also consider how you will approach the door.
A door may technically be large enough, but a fence, driveway angle, tree, ditch, or nearby structure could make it difficult to line up a trailer or large vehicle.
Possible door options include:
- Roll-up garage doors
- Frame-outs for sectional doors
- Walk-in doors
- Double doors
- Multiple garage bays
- Front and rear doors for pull-through access
A pull-through layout can be especially helpful for boats, trailers, tractors, and equipment that are difficult to back into a building.
Plan the Inside Before Ordering the Outside
Before finalizing your metal building, make a basic floor plan.
It does not need to be professionally drawn. Sketch the building and mark where you expect to place:
- Vehicles
- Equipment
- Workbenches
- Shelves
- Toolboxes
- Freezers
- Offices
- Interior walls
- Electrical panels
- Garage doors
- Walk-in doors
- Windows
This can help you see whether the building will actually function the way you expect.
For example, placing a walk-in door directly where you eventually want a workbench may create a frustrating layout. A garage door placed without considering driveway access may also be difficult to use.
Ready to Compare Metal Building Sizes?
Tell us what you plan to store, the size you are considering, and where the building will be installed.
Should You Add a Lean-To?
A lean-to can provide additional covered space without fully enclosing that part of the building.
Lean-tos are often used for:
- Tractor storage
- Boat or trailer coverage
- Outdoor work areas
- Firewood
- Farm equipment
- Vehicle parking
- Patios
- Extra storage
Adding a lean-to during the initial design can create more usable space and keep the main building open for secure storage or workshop use.
Consider how far the lean-to will extend and whether posts will interfere with vehicle movement or parking.
Do You Need Insulation?
Insulation may be worth considering when the building will be used as a workshop, business, office, hobby space, or year-round work area.
It may also help when you plan to store items that are sensitive to heat or moisture.
Before choosing insulation, think about:
- How many hours you will spend inside
- Whether the building will be heated or cooled
- What you will store
- Condensation concerns
- Interior wall plans
- Electrical and plumbing plans
- Your overall budget
It is usually easier to plan insulation before the building is installed rather than trying to work around doors, framing, wiring, and finished interior walls later.
Does a Metal Building Need a Concrete Slab?
Many enclosed metal garages and workshops are installed on concrete slabs, especially when they will hold vehicles, heavy equipment, workbenches, or finished interior spaces.
However, foundation requirements can depend on the building design, property, local requirements, and intended use.
Before pouring concrete, make sure the slab dimensions and building plans match the building you are ordering. Do not guess at the slab size or pour it based only on an estimated building measurement.
Your building provider and concrete contractor should review the correct specifications before work begins.
Do You Need a Permit for a Metal Building?
Permit and zoning requirements can vary by city, county, property, building size, and intended use.
The City of Waycross advises property owners to confirm permit requirements before beginning construction. Customers outside the city limits should contact the appropriate county or local building department.
Before ordering, ask about:
- Building permits
- Zoning
- Property setbacks
- Homeowners association restrictions
- Wind-load requirements
- Flood zones
- Concrete inspections
- Electrical permits
- Plumbing permits
- Commercial-use requirements
Confirming these items early can help prevent delays and unexpected changes.
Information to Gather Before Requesting a Metal Building Quote
You do not need to have every detail figured out before contacting us.
However, providing the following information can help us give you better options:
- Your approximate building size
- The installation city or ZIP code
- What you plan to use the building for
- Whether you need an open or enclosed structure
- The number and size of garage doors
- Whether you need walk-in doors or windows
- Your preferred side height
- Whether you want lean-tos
- Your color preferences
- Whether the site is level and accessible
- Whether you already have concrete
- Photos of the proposed building area
If you are unsure about the size, tell us what vehicles, equipment, or activities need to fit inside. We can help you compare practical layouts before you make a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Buildings
What is the most popular metal building size?
Popular sizes include 24×30, 30×40, and 40×60. The right size depends on the number of vehicles, amount of equipment, work area, storage needs, and available property space.
Is a 30×40 metal building big enough for a workshop?
A 30×40 building can provide room for tools, equipment, storage, vehicles, and work areas. The final layout depends on the size of your equipment, door placement, and how much open work space you need.
How tall should my metal building be?
The building should be tall enough for your vehicles, equipment, planned doors, lifts, and overhead storage. Measure your tallest item and discuss future needs before selecting the side height.
Can I customize a metal building?
Yes. Metal buildings can be customized with different sizes, heights, roof styles, colors, doors, windows, lean-tos, enclosed sides, and layouts.
Can a metal building be insulated?
Yes. Insulation can be added to many metal building designs. It is best to discuss insulation before ordering so it can be planned around the framing, doors, electrical work, and intended use.
Do metal buildings require concrete?
Many enclosed garages and workshops use concrete slabs, but requirements depend on the building and its purpose. Always confirm the correct foundation details before pouring concrete.
Do I need a permit for a metal building in Georgia?
Permit requirements vary by location and project. Contact your city or county building department before ordering or beginning construction.
How much does a metal building cost?
Metal building prices depend on the size, height, roof style, doors, windows, insulation, lean-tos, installation location, and other options. A customized quote will provide a more accurate price than a general online estimate.
Internal Link: Link this answer to your existing Metal Building Pricing Guide.
Can you help me choose a metal building size?
Yes. Two Way Buildings helps customers compare sizes, layouts, doors, heights, colors, and other options based on how they plan to use their building.
Design Your Metal Building With Two Way Buildings
Two Way Buildings provides custom metal buildings for homeowners, farms, and businesses in Waycross and throughout Southeast Georgia.
We serve customers in areas including:
- Waycross
- Blackshear
- Jesup
- Alma
- Nahunta
- Douglas
- Folkston
- Brunswick
- Ware County
- Pierce County
- Brantley County
Whether you need a metal garage, workshop, equipment building, RV cover, pole barn, commercial building, or barndominium shell, our team can help you plan a structure that fits your property and everyday needs.
Call 912-285-3559 or complete our online form to begin your metal building quote.
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