The FBi Blog

How Can I Finish the Interior of My Residential Pole Barn?

Written by Addy Cain | Aug 7, 2023 5:00:00 PM

Creating a comfortable interior inside your new residential building is a must. Whether you’ve chosen to build a pole barn home or even a stylish hobby shop, several options are available to you.

Depending on the style and purpose of your post-frame building, certain interior finishes work better than others. Or, you may choose not to finish the interior because that works best for you. 

However, keep in mind that the design of your pole barn and interior space can be personalized to fit your exact needs, and you can even create your own layout online.

In this article, we’ll discuss interior options for barndominiums, hobby shops, workshops and garages. 

 

 

Interior Ideas for Residential Pole Barns

 

1) Pole Barn Homes

Traditional-built homes and pole barn homes are set apart because of their functionality. In short, pole barn homes are post-frame buildings with metal siding, incorporating storage space and living quarters into one.

Even though we see a difference between the two, the interior finishes of a pole barn home can still be similar to traditionally built homes.

 

 

Drywall

Drywall is an extremely common finish because it’s inexpensive and easy to install. Adding insulation makes for a climate-controlled interior, and that’s especially important if this will be a lived-in pole barn.

Once the drywall has been installed, you can paint and make your home feel unique.

 

Accented Walls

Brick, stone, and tile are additional interior finishes that can complement your home. These materials can be low maintenance but may be more expensive. The added character and aesthetic are a bonus, however.

 

Flooring

Commonly, pole barn homes and barndominiums have an open layout. The flooring is important because it determines the room’s tone, and much like a traditionally built home, you’ll want a functional and comfortable space. 

 

 

Flooring options include:

  • Tile
  • Hardwood
  • Carpet
  • Epoxy

 

2) Hobby Shops

Creating a space for your crafts and hobbies may pay off in the long run. Hobby shops are dedicated spaces for tools, equipment, woodworking, and much more. It can be insulated if you plan to use your hobby shop year-round.

 
Steel Liner

Steel liners consist of multiple steel panels installed on a pole barn’s walls and ceiling. These liners are durable and easy to clean, making them an excellent option for any interior. 

Adding windows in your steel liner can provide a nice touch of natural lighting.

 
Split Liner

A split liner finish consists of plywood and steel. Depending on the use of your hobby shop, you may want to incorporate the portion of plywood for working purposes. It’ll help cut costs, and it can be beneficial to hang shelving and other tools in this space.

 

Wood Paneling 

Wood paneling is simple but attractive if you want an easy installation. The warm and natural look of wood can add a unique touch to the interior of your pole barn hobby shop.

There’s also the added benefit of noise reduction, which can also help insulate your area.

 

 

Floors

Concrete flooring would be the most popular choice for a hobby shop because it’s easy to keep clean and it provides a firm foundation. As we mentioned above, epoxying your concrete floor is an option. 

Epoxy is a coating that goes on the concrete surface, giving it a decorative look. There are different colors to choose from, but warm tones are a popular choice.


 

3) Workshops

If you’re looking for something more significant than a hobby shop but still need a place for your tools, repairs, and storage, you might look into building a workshop. Workshops are more broad, meaning that they serve as an all-purpose building.

 

Deck Systems

First, we’ll start with deck systems and lofts. A deck system can be used for extra storage, allowing your pole building to have an upper level. These additions can still be finished with the same interior liners.

 

Steel Liner

A steel liner finish continues to be a popular choice for workshops, primarily when they’re meant to be climate controlled. The most popular color that we see is white because it opens the space up and provides a clean and natural look. Though, with the Kynar Color System, many different colors can be incorporated into your unique space.

 
Ceiling Liner

A ceiling liner isn’t out of the question once you’ve installed panels of steel or sheets of plywood inside.

 

Different materials that are available for ceiling liners include:

  • Wood
  • Steel
  • Plastic

Floors

It’s common to see pole barns being used as sports gyms and recreational areas. So, in addition to concrete, other options for a pole barn floor include:

 


  • Rubber Sports Floor
  • Hardwood
  • Vinyl Flooring

4) Garages

Pole barn garages are used for storage, workspace, and protecting vehicles. Post-frame garages are built quickly and efficiently, helping the buyer save time and money compared to a stick-built home or garage. 

Commonly, post-frame garages are multi-purpose, and their interior finish can vary.

 

 

Drywall

Drywalling your interior can help complete the appearance of your pole barn garage. 

Continued benefits include:

  • Noise Reduction
  • Comfort
  • Improved Insulation
  • Cost-effective

OSB

An OSB interior can allow space for shelves, hooks, and other customizations. OSB panels are typically larger than plywood and can be attached quickly. However, there are known disadvantages to using OSB. It’s common for the properties of OSB to swell when exposed to water. Though this may not be a huge concern, it’s worth considering.

 
Floors

Flooring for your pole barn is essential. Some of the most durable floor options would include:

  • Concrete
  • Tile
  • Rubber Mats

 

Get a Free Quote for Your Pole Barn Design

Residential pole barns can be tailored to fit your exact needs. The design online tool is a helpful way to visualize everything you need, and we'll give you a free quote after submitting your plan.

Ready to take the next step in the building process? Please call us at (800) 552-2981 or reach us online to determine your pole barn estimate.

Do you need to know if your idea is worth pursuing? You can request a rough ballpark quote without 100% committing to a post-frame project. 


Do you have more questions about interior finishes that are not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you're ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help you determine the next steps of your project.