Pole Barn Lighting Layout & Design
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
Includes up to 8% off the price of our recommended lighting products 
Dedicated Sales Support
Every lighting plan comes with a dedicated product specialist, providing personalized service and expert advice for your project needs.
How long does it take to get a plan?
1-2 for indoor and 2-3 days for outdoor projects
Our Customers
4
5
CBRE needed high quality lighting for their customer, with stock available for ongoing projects.
Customer had an urgent need for high temperature lights. We had them in stock & shipped out next day.
Poor lighting caused parking lot safety issues for spectators. Our lighting plan & new lights resulted in an improved experience.
Customer needed to source large quantities of specialty fixtures for use in their manufactured products.
Tracy Electric was seeking a reliable source for ongoing lighting projects.
Distributors partner with us to provide customers a high quality product at a reasonable price.
Repeat lighting supplier for an electrical contractor working in manufacturing facilities.
Permanent tent lighting for large acrobatics facility. Our lighting plan & recommendations resulted in ideal performer & spectator safety.
A pole barn lighting plan is designed to ensure your space is evenly illuminated, energy efficient, and tailored to your specific needs. The right layout helps you avoid dark spots, excessive glare, and wasted energy by matching fixture type, spacing, and brightness to your barn’s size and use. Understanding these factors will help you select the best fixtures and quantities for your application, whether for storage, workshops, or multi-use spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Ideal Pole Barn Lighting Layout?
The ideal pole barn lighting layout starts with a professional lighting plan that details your building’s dimensions, fixture placement, and precise foot-candle measurements. This plan shows how evenly your lighting will be distributed across the space. The average-to-minimum ratio is calculated to ensure uniform illumination throughout your pole barn.
What Is the Ideal 30×40 Pole Barn Lighting Layout With 10 to 12 Foot Mounting Height?
For 30 foot-candles in a 1,200 square foot space, use 4 to 6 UFO fixtures at 120 watts each. At this ceiling height, fixtures above 100 watts of LED per unit may cause excessive brightness and glare for most uses.
What Is the Ideal 40×60 Pole Barn Lighting Layout With 12 to 15 Foot Mounting Height?
For a 2,400 square foot space, 6 to 8 fixtures at 100 watts each provide approximately 30 foot-candles. For higher brightness needs, 8 fixtures at 160 watts can deliver 50+ foot-candles for detailed work.
How Many Lumens Do I Need in a Pole Barn?
For storage, plan for 10 to 20 lumens per square foot. Active workspaces require 30 to 50 lumens per square foot. Since 1 lumen per square foot equals 1 foot-candle, a 2,000 square foot barn needs 20,000 to 40,000 total lumens for storage use.
How Do I Properly Light Up a New Pole Barn?
Begin with a professional lighting plan before purchasing fixtures. Providing your barn dimensions, ceiling height, and brightness requirements allows for a custom solution with accurate fixture placement and expected light levels.
What Is the Difference Between Linear, UFO, and Canopy Fixtures? What Is Best for a Pole Barn?
- UFO fixtures are compact, waterproof LED High Bay lights with high impact ratings, ideal for harsh environments.
- Linear panel fixtures provide wide light distribution in lower ceiling spaces but are not waterproof.
- Canopy lights are best for 8 to 12 foot ceiling heights with direct mounting applications.
Why Do I Need a Professional Lighting Plan for My Pole Barn?
A professional lighting plan shows exact fixture placement and predicted light levels before installation. This helps identify dark spots, over-lit areas, and optimal fixture spacing for uniform illumination, ensuring you purchase the right number of fixtures the first time.
How Much Money Can a Lighting Plan Save Me?
Proper planning can save 20% to 40% on fixture costs by preventing over-purchasing. A lighting plan typically costs $200 to $400 and helps avoid buying unnecessary fixtures, which can add $1,000 to $3,000 in extra costs. It also reduces labor expenses from relocating fixtures.
What Information Is Needed to Create My Lighting Plan?
Provide exact barn dimensions, ceiling or mounting height, intended use, and desired brightness level. Photos of the space, electrical panel location, and any obstacles like equipment or storage areas help ensure the most accurate plan. Plans are typically completed within 2 to 3 business days.
How Far Apart Should Pole Barn Lights Be Spaced?
Spacing depends on fixture type, mounting height, and desired brightness. As a general guideline, UFO high bay fixtures are often spaced 12 to 20 feet apart for uniform coverage in typical pole barn applications. A lighting plan will determine the optimal spacing for your specific layout.
What Foot-Candle Levels Are Recommended for Pole Barns?
For storage, 10 to 20 foot-candles is usually sufficient. For workshops or active work areas, aim for 30 to 50 foot-candles to ensure safe and productive visibility.
Do I Need a Custom Lighting Plan for My Pole Barn?
If your pole barn has unique dimensions, multiple uses, or specific brightness requirements, a custom lighting plan ensures you achieve the right light levels and uniformity. This is especially important for larger barns or those used for detailed work.
Sample Pole Barn Lighting Plan and Heat Map
