The Pole Barn Materials calculator computes the top to bottom framing and roofing materials needed for a pole barn (see picture) based on a few dimension. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (L) Length of Building
- (W) Width of Building
- (H) Inside Height
- (P) Pitch of Roof
- (DW) Door Width
- (DH) Door Height
- (MD) Measurement Details (YES / NO)
Pole Barn Materials: The calculator returns the following list of materials:
- Metal Roof
- Ridge Cap Length
- Total Length of Gable Trim
- Length of Metal Roof Panels
- Number of Metal Roof Panels
- Number of Screws for Roof Panels
- Length of Snow Guard
- Length of Angle Trim
- Number of Trusses
- Length of Purlin Rows
- Number of Purlins Rows
- Total Roof Area
- Metal Siding:
- Number and Panel Lengths on gable side with Door
- Length of Angle Trim for Doorway
- Number and Panel Lengths on gable side w/o Door
- Number and Panel Lengths on sides
- Cut Angle for Gable
- Number of Screws
- Length of Girt Rows
- Number of Girt Rows
- Number of Posts
- Total number of metal screws (sum of the above)
- Total linear feet of metal panels (sum of the above)
- Volume of Concrete for Slab in cubic yards
- Volume of Concrete for Peers in cubic yards
The Pole Barn Calculator contains functions to compute the construction materials for a pole barn with concrete piers, wood framing, roof trusses for a normal gabled roof and metal panels and trim for the roof and sides.
This calculator has following defaults:
- (PoC) 30" Purlin Spacing
- (PW) 36" Metal Panel Width
- (PS) 5' 6x6 Post Spacing
- (TS) 10' Truss Spacing
- (GS) 36" Girt Spacing
- (CD) 4" Concrete Slab Depth
- (PV) 2'6" x 1' concrete peers (0.0727 cubic yards) every 10 feet, every other post.
Construction Steps
The steps to construct your building are as follows:
- Prepare the site with all needed grading. Level areas are by far the easiest to use. Consider this in your site location choices.
- Set the corners. Make sure that you have a square building by double checking the that the length of the diagonals are the same.
- Set the location of the piers which include the corner piers and dig the holes.
- Pour the piers. Put some crushed stone at the bottom of your pier holes and add a few inches of concrete (e.g., 3"). Then use a concrete forming tube to pour your piers. It is wise to use a laser level to mark the height of the tubes for concrete. This will ensure that the top of the piers are all level. This will save a tremendous amount of work later.
- Before the piers are set, place the post anchors in the concrete.
- Erect the posts. Some do this with girts holding together the posts for an entire wall, but the weight will demand the help of equipment (e.g., forklift)
- If the girts are not already on the posts, add them
- Make sure the posts are plumb (vertical) and secured with diagonal boards.
- Place the beams at the top of the posts.
- Place trusses on beams. Make sure that trusses are secure and plumb using diagonal boards.
- Install roof rakes on gable ends.
- Fix the purlins to the top of the trusses and rakes. Some use the purlins to frame the rakes.
- Put metal trim on gable ends and truss facia.
- Put metal panels on the roof.
- Put metal trim around the door
- Put metal panels on the side walls
Site Preparation
The building site should be leveled and the location of the corners set. Then, one can calculate the location and spacing of the piers.

Trusses and Beams
Once the posts are in place, the beams and then trusses can be put in place.

Purlins and Girts
The next step is to apply the girts on the sides of the building and the purlins on the roof.

Metal Roof and Trim
The purlins provide the right material for applying your metal roof and trim with metal screws.

Metal Siding and Trim
The girts are the right understructure for metal siding.

Inside
Once the framing is completed and the metal installed on the roof and walls, the door(s) can be hung and the interior finished.

Special Thanks
The following experts were consulted in the construction of these calculators. However, they assume no liability and advise all developers to confirm all their construction estimates against professional calculations and to confirm that all of their calculations conform to local building laws, codes and regulations.