How to Choose the Right Size Fabric Storage Building for Your Property

Choosing the right size fabric storage building is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when investing in farm or property infrastructure. Go too small and you’ll be cramped from day one. Go too big and you’re paying for space you don’t need. Here’s how to get it right.

Start With What You’re Storing

Before you look at any building dimensions, make a complete list of everything you plan to store. Equipment, vehicles, hay bales, tools, seasonal items — write it all down. Then think about what you might need to store two or three years from now. Farms and acreages have a way of accumulating gear faster than you’d expect.

For most Alberta farmers, the biggest items are tractors, combines, and round bales. A standard round bale is about 5 feet wide and 4 feet tall. A mid-size tractor with attachments can be 20 feet long. These dimensions add up quickly.

Common Sizes and What They Fit

Fabric storage buildings typically range from 20 feet wide up to 80 feet or more. Here’s a rough guide:

20′ x 30′ (600 sq ft) — Good for a couple of ATVs, a small tractor, and some tools. This is a starter size for hobby farms and acreages.

30′ x 40′ (1,200 sq ft) — Fits a full-size tractor, a truck, and still leaves room for hay or supplies. A popular choice for small to mid-size operations.

40′ x 60′ (2,400 sq ft) — Now you’re into serious storage. Multiple pieces of equipment, a workshop area, and plenty of hay. This is the sweet spot for most working farms. View pricing for our 40’ × 60’ model.

50′ x 100′ (5,000 sq ft) — Commercial-grade storage. Grain operations, large equipment fleets, or businesses needing warehouse space. Check our 50’ × 100’ option for detailed specs.

The 30% Rule

Here’s a tip from years of experience: whatever size you think you need, add 30%. This accounts for future purchases, seasonal fluctuations, and the simple reality that you’ll always find more things to store. Understanding your building’s total cost of ownership will help you make the right size decision. It’s much cheaper to buy a slightly larger building upfront than to add a second building later.

Consider Your Property Layout

Size isn’t just about square footage — it’s about how the building fits on your land. Think about access for large equipment, distance from your house, drainage patterns, and municipal setback requirements. In most Alberta municipalities, you’ll need at least 3 to 6 metres from property lines, though rural acreages often have more flexibility.

Height Matters Too

Don’t forget vertical space. If you’re storing a combine header or stacking hay bales three high, you need adequate peak height. Most fabric buildings offer peak heights from 16 to 28 feet depending on the width. Make sure your tallest item clears the frame with room to spare.

Talk to Us

Still not sure what size is right? Contact our team and we’ll help you figure it out based on exactly what you need to store. We’ve helped hundreds of Alberta property owners find the perfect fit, and we’re happy to walk you through the options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size fabric building do I need?

The right size depends on what you're storing and how much access space you need around it. A common mistake is buying too small — measure your largest equipment, add 3–4 feet of clearance on each side, and account for future needs. MAX offers 18 sizes ranging from 800 to 14,000 square feet. Use our online cost calculator or contact us for a personalized sizing recommendation.

What's the most popular fabric building size in Canada?

The 40'×80' (3,200 sq ft) and 50'×100' (5,000 sq ft) models are consistently our top sellers. These sizes offer the best balance of capacity and value — large enough for serious storage needs while still practical for most properties. Farm operations typically choose 40'–50' widths, while commercial and industrial users often need 60'–70' widths.

Can I expand my fabric building later?

Fabric buildings can't be widened after installation, but they can often be extended in length by adding additional bays. This is why choosing the right width from the start is critical — width determines what fits through the doors and how you use the interior space. If you're unsure, going one size wider than you think you need is almost always the better decision.