About Z-Purlins
About Z-Purlins
Z-Purlins do what C-Purlins do, with one structural advantage: their flanges nest. Two Z-Purlins lap over a frame line and bolt together, so a run of them behaves as a continuous beam across several bays instead of a series of simple spans. Metal Warehouse Inc. roll-forms them in Sherman, TX.
A Z-Purlin is a cold-formed Zee section, with one flange turned up and the other turned down. Because the two flanges are offset from each other, one purlin slides inside the next, which is what lets them lap at the primary frame and bolt through. That lapped connection carries moment across the support, so a multi-bay run acts as a continuous member. In practice it means less deflection and often a lighter gauge for the same span than a simple-span C-Purlin layout would need. We make them in web depths of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 inches, in 12, 14 and 16 gauge, punched with 5/8 by 1 inch slots, in red oxide primer or galvanized G90.
The Details
Z-Purlins Specifications
| Profile | Standard Zee section with nestable flanges |
| Web Depths | 4", 6", 8", 10" and 12" |
| Flange Depths | 2", 2-1/2", 3" and 3-1/2" |
| Nesting | Inside and outside flanges offset 1/4" in total, so purlins nest for lapped connections at the primary frame |
| Gauges | 12, 14 and 16 gauge |
| Punch Slots | 5/8" x 1" |
| Finish | Red oxide primer or galvanized G90 |
| Lengths | Cut to length |
In the Field
Common Applications
Contractors and fabricators across North Texas and Southern Oklahoma put z-purlins to work on jobs like these:
- Continuous-span roof purlins across multi-bay buildings
- Wall girts where a continuous run is wanted
- Long buildings where lapping at each frame saves gauge
- Pre-engineered metal building secondary framing
- Agricultural and equipment buildings
Why Metal Warehouse
Why Choose Z-Purlins
Nestable flanges lap at the frame, so a multi-bay run works as a continuous member
Continuous spans mean less deflection, and often a lighter gauge for the same span
Four flange designations, dimensioned below, so laps come out right on paper before they are ordered
Roll-formed and cut to length in Sherman
Dimensions
Nestable flange dimensions
Inside and outside flanges are offset 1/4 inch in total, which is what allows Z-Purlins to nest for lapped connections at the primary frame.
| Flange designation | Inside flange | Outside flange | Nestable overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | 1-5/8" | 1-7/8" | 1/4" |
| 2-1/2" | 2-1/8" | 2-3/8" | 1/4" |
| 3" | 2-5/8" | 2-7/8" | 1/4" |
| 3-1/2" | 3-1/8" | 3-3/8" | 1/4" |
Get a Quote for Z-Purlins
Tell us the shapes, sizes, gauges, and quantities you need. We stock most structural steel and can source the rest in under a week. Serving contractors throughout North Texas and Southern Oklahoma from our Sherman warehouse.