Carries sheeting between frames
C purlins span from frame to frame and carry the roof sheeting or wall cladding fixed to their flanges.
Purlins & Sag Rods
C Purlin
C Purlin is a lipped C section roll-formed from steel strip, used as a roof purlin, a wall girt or side rail, and for framing openings in steel buildings. The lips stiffen the flanges, and the section is fixed to cleats on the main frames. Specify depth, flange, thickness, steel grade, finish and the quantity you need.
At a glance
C Purlin at a glance.
Lipped C, single spans and openings
C sections do not nest into each other, so they suit single spans, eaves, gable ends and the framing around doors and windows.
3 to 14 in deep, 10G to 16G
3–14 in (75–300 mm) deep, 2.35–3 in (60–75 mm) flanges, 3/4 in (20 mm) lips, 10G–16G (1.5–3.15 mm), in ASTM A653 / A1011, S350GD / S450GD, G450–G550 grades, plain, galvanized (G90 / Z275 / Z350) or red oxide primed.
Bolted to cleats on the frames
Cleats welded or bolted to the rafters or columns carry the purlin, which is bolted to them through holes punched in its web. The sheeting is screwed to the top flange. Sag rods between the purlins keep them straight and upright while the sheeting goes on.
Common applications
Where it is used.
Roof purlins on single spans
Warehouses, workshops and farm buildings use C purlins where each purlin spans one bay. They also make the eaves member.
Wall girts and side rails
Turned on its side, the same section carries the wall cladding across the columns. US buyers call it a C girt.
Openings and light framing
Door and window openings, mezzanine edges and small frames are built from C sections. Back-to-back pairs make heavier members.
Questions answered
Common questions.
What else is a C purlin called?
A C section used in walls is also called a C girt in the United States.
What sizes of C purlin does GV supply?
GV supplies C purlins 3 to 14 in (75 to 300 mm) deep with 2.35 to 3 in (60 to 75 mm) flanges and 3/4 in (20 mm) lips, in 10G to 16G (1.5 to 3.15 mm) steel. They come plain, galvanized to G90, Z275 or Z350, or red oxide primed, in the grade your design names.
Part of the roof and wall systems
C Purlin carries sheeting on single spans and frames the openings, alongside Z Purlin for lapped runs and Sag Rods between the lines.
Explore cold-formed systems ↗C Purlin specifications
C Purlin configuration
ParameterUS / PrimaryMetric / Additional
Height (H)3-14 in75-300 mm
Flange (B)2.35-3 in60-75 mm
Lip (C)3/4 in20 mm
Thickness (T)10G-16G1.5-3.15 mm
SteelASTM A653 / A1011, S350GD / S450GD, G450-G550ASTM A653 / A1011, S350GD / S450GD, G450-G550
FinishPlain, galvanized (G90 / Z275 / Z350), red oxide primerPlain, galvanized (G90 / Z275 / Z350), red oxide primer
Cold-Formed Profiles & Sections
Related components
Purlins & Sag Rods
Z Purlin
Height (H): 4-14 in / 100-350 mm · Flange (B): 2.75-3 in / 60-90 mm
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Sag Rods
Diameter: 1/2, 5/8 in / 12, 16 mm · Length: 3-10 ft / 900 mm-3 m
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Universal Strut Channel / ‘C’ Strut Channel
Thickness: 12G 13G 14G 16G / 2.5 mm 2.3 mm 2.0 mm 1.5 mm · Size: 13/16" x 1-5/8" 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" 2-7/16" x 1-5/8" 3-1/4" x 1-5/8" / 21 mm x 41 mm 41 mm x 41 mm 61 mm x 41 mm 81 mm x 41 mm
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