Regan Industrial: All About Steel Purlins

When you’re considering the toughness and sturdiness of your roof, you’ll need to have an understanding of the most effective building materials to use. As one of the most fundamental building parts, the roof provides all-around support. It not only protects inhabitants from outdoor elements but also stabilizes the framework of the entire building. Therefore, in choosing any kind of roofing, you’ll do well with understanding everything to know about steel purlins. The structural strength of these materials allows them to be suitable in various types of roof installations — from sheet roofing to deck roofing, no matter the kind of material.

Many homeowners and building owners have since turned to steel purlins for their roofing requirements, especially where long-lastingness and durability are concerned. But if it’s your first time encountering purlins, then it’s best to know its basics to see if these are the right choices for you. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the definition of steel purlins, the different types, and the like.

Types of Steel Purlins

Several unique features that you’ll find across different types of purlins are the flat surface and the flanges or the opposing legs that provide support to the flat section. In C-section purlins, the bottom and top flanges are equally sized and can support a range of non-continuous or continuous spans. C-section purlins, however, cannot be lapped together due to their shape and form.

On the other hand, Z-section purlins have been produced with a diagonally-positioned broad flange and narrow flanges. This allows for lapping and can be used to increase the thickness of the purlins wherever possible — i.e. if the roofing sheet is made out of thicker material, or if a single purlin cannot bear the load of a heavy ceiling/roofing deck.

Reasons to Choose Steel Purlins

Some popular uses of steel purlins include agricultural warehouses, logistics warehouses, commercial buildings, barebones spaces, parking lots, or even pre-engineered metal buildings.

High-grade steel purlins are usually produced from galvanized steel with high tensile strength and ductility — G450, G500, or G550. Galvanized steel has a competitive advantage over other types of non-galvanized steel because it does not rust or oxidize. This can greatly reduce any expenses related to roofing maintenance and repair.

More than that, the purlins can even last for as long as 10 decades, provided that they have been installed properly. This is especially true for enclosed buildings where various operations can lead to the production of runoffs that may affect the quality of the purlins — moisture, chemical compounds, other metals, etc. For any type of building, steel purlins — especially galvanized ones — have proven to be a suitable choice, even under environmentally aggressive conditions.