Corrugated Metal Fence Calculator
Corrugated sheets, posts, rails, concrete and cost for a metal privacy fence.
A corrugated metal fence is steel roofing panels screwed to a wood or steel frame: fully private, fire-resistant and quick to build. Enter the length and height, whether the ribs run up and down or along the fence, the sheet length and the post spacing. The calculator lays out the sheets at 24 in coverage and counts posts, rails, concrete, weight and cost.
Calculation Results
2-1/2 in corrugated sheets are about 26 in wide but cover 24 in on a wall once neighbouring sheets overlap one rib.
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🛠️ How This Calculator Works
Each sheet covers 24 in of width after a one-rib side lap. With ribs vertical, sheets stand side by side: columns = length ÷ 2 ft, and each sheet is cut to the fence height (two 4 ft pieces come out of an 8 ft sheet). With ribs horizontal, sheets lie in rows 2 ft high: rows = height ÷ 2 ft, and each row needs length ÷ sheet length sheets — keep post spacing equal to the sheet length so every joint lands on a post. Posts, rails and concrete are counted as for any framed fence.
📐 Formula
Vertical: sheets = ceil(ceil(length ÷ 2) ÷ floor(sheet ÷ height)) · Horizontal: sheets = ceil(height ÷ 2) × ceil(length ÷ sheet) · Posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 · Bags = ceil(concrete ÷ 0.60)📝 Example Calculation
50 ft long, 6 ft high, ribs horizontal, 8 ft sheets, posts 8 ft apart: Rows = 6 ÷ 2 = 3 · Sheets per row = ceil(50 ÷ 8) = 7 Sheets = 21 × $26.97 = $566.37 Posts = ceil(50 ÷ 8) + 1 = 8 · Rails = 3 × 50 = 150 ft Ribs vertical instead: 25 sheets (one 6 ft piece per 8 ft sheet)
💡 Pro Tips from Fence Builders
- Order sheets cut to length when the fence is taller than a stock sheet — suppliers such as Best Buy Metals cut corrugated from 3 ft to 30 ft.
- Lap each sheet one rib over its neighbour and face the laps away from the prevailing wind.
- Use pancake-head or gasketed metal roofing screws into the rails; drive them snug, not crushing the washer.
- Cut edges are sharp: cap the top with a board or trim and wear gloves when handling sheets.
- A solid metal fence catches a lot of wind — use stout posts set in concrete and check height limits before you build.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many corrugated metal panels do I need for a fence?
Divide the fence length by 2 ft — a sheet covers 24 in once it overlaps its neighbour — and round up for ribs running vertically. 50 ft needs 25 sheets. With ribs horizontal, multiply the rows (height ÷ 2 ft) by the sheets in each row (length ÷ sheet length): 3 × 7 = 21 sheets for a 6 ft high, 50 ft fence.
What is the coverage of a corrugated metal panel?
For 2-1/2 in corrugated, 24 in on a wall. Best Buy Metals lists 24 in wall coverage with a one-rib lap (21.33 in on a roof with a two-rib lap), and ABC Metal Roofing and LENCO list 24 in coverage for a 26 in wide sheet.
How much does a corrugated metal fence cost?
LENCO Supplies sold 8 ft × 26 in 29-gauge corrugated sheets for $26.97 on 1 October 2026 — 16 sq ft of coverage, about $1.69 per sq ft. A 50 ft, 6 ft high fence with horizontal ribs takes 21 sheets, $566.37 before posts, rails and screws.
Should corrugated fence panels be vertical or horizontal?
Vertical ribs shed water and dirt, and each sheet is one piece top to bottom. Horizontal ribs give a long, modern look and often use fewer sheets when the post spacing matches the sheet length. Enter both in the calculator and compare.
What gauge corrugated metal is best for a fence?
26 gauge is stiffer and heavier than 29 gauge — Best Buy Metals lists 0.90 lb per sq ft against 0.70 — so it dents less and spans rails better. 29 gauge is cheaper and fine on a closely railed frame.
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Corrugated sheets by fence size
8 ft sheets at 24 in coverage, posts 8 ft apart, $26.97 a sheet (LENCO Supplies, 1 Oct 2026).
| Fence | Ribs horizontal | Ribs vertical | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft × 4 ft | 6 · $161.82 | 6 · $161.82 | Horizontal |
| 32 ft × 6 ft | 12 · $323.64 | 16 · $431.52 | Horizontal |
| 48 ft × 6 ft | 18 · $485.46 | 24 · $647.28 | Horizontal |
| 50 ft × 6 ft | 21 · $566.37 | 25 · $674.25 | Horizontal |
| 100 ft × 6 ft | 39 · $1,051.83 | 50 · $1,348.50 | Horizontal |
| 100 ft × 8 ft | 52 · $1,402.44 | 50 · $1,348.50 | Vertical |
Coverage, gauge and cut lengths
The usual fence sheet is 2-1/2 in corrugated: 1/2 in high ribs about 2-1/2 in apart. Best Buy Metals lists 24 in of wall coverage with a one-rib lap and lengths from 3 ft to 30 ft cut to the inch, at 0.70 lb per sq ft in 29 gauge and 0.90 lb in 26 gauge. ABC Metal Roofing lists the same 24 in coverage, and LENCO Supplies sells the 8 ft × 26 in, 29 gauge sheet with 24 in coverage.
Concrete uses 0.60 cu ft per 80 lb bag (QUIKRETE Concrete Mix data sheet).
Related calculators
Comparing with wood? Price a board fence with the privacy fence calculatoror the fence board calculator, size the post holes with the fence post concrete calculator, and set post depth with the fence post depth calculator.