Need help? Call our friendly Trade Counter team on 01278 228670 or email [email protected]

Steel Purlins & Beams

Z Purlins and C Section Purlins – Briarwood Supplies

Briarwood Supplies offers a robust selection of galvanised steel purlins, essential for securing roof and wall cladding sheets to buildings with strength and stability. With both Z purlins and C section purlins in our range, you have a complete structural solution for all your roofing and cladding needs.

C Section Purlins

Our C Section Purlins are versatile and durable, ideal for constructing walls and floor joists in a building's shell structure. These purlins are also perfect for mezzanine flooring support beams, ensuring reliability and strength. Beyond structural support, C section purlins can be used for door framing, roof trimming, window trimming, parapet rails, and side rails.

Z Purlins

Designed to support roof and wall joists, our Z Purlins sit between the building frame and steel sheets, acting as a strong, secure base. Z Purlins ensure your sheets are safely attached and stable, providing a dependable foundation for your cladding.

Customisable Sizes

We offer a range of thicknesses for our Z and C purlins, manufactured to your specific needs with lengths up to 8 metres (26.25 feet). Our purlins are available un-drilled or with pre-drilled 18mm diameter holes (smaller sizes available upon request).

Our available thicknesses include:
1.6mm and 2.0mm thicknesses.

Purlin Accessories

We also stock a full range of Z and C purlin accessories, including:

  • Eaves beams
  • Side rails
  • Anti-sag bars and rods
  • Cleader angles
  • Sleeves
  • Cleats

Need Purlins for Your Building Project?

Our friendly team is here to help you find the right purlins and accessories for your project. Contact us today on 01278 228670 or email us at sales@briarwoodsupplies.co.uk for more information or place an order through our online shop.

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Z Purlins and C Section Purlins – Briarwood Supplies

Briarwood Supplies offers a robust selection of galvanised steel purlins, essential for securing roof and wall cladding sheets to buildings with strength and stability. With both Z purlins and C section purlins in our range, you have a complete structural solution for all your roofing and cladding needs.

C Section Purlins

Our C Section Purlins are versatile and durable, ideal for constructing walls and floor joists in a building's shell structure. These purlins are also perfect for mezzanine flooring support beams, ensuring reliability and strength. Beyond structural support, C section purlins can be used for door framing, roof trimming, window trimming, parapet rails, and side rails.

Z Purlins

Designed to support roof and wall joists, our Z Purlins sit between the building frame and steel sheets, acting as a strong, secure base. Z Purlins ensure your sheets are safely attached and stable, providing a dependable foundation for your cladding.

Customisable Sizes

We offer a range of thicknesses for our Z and C purlins, manufactured to your specific needs with lengths up to 8 metres (26.25 feet). Our purlins are available un-drilled or with pre-drilled 18mm diameter holes (smaller sizes available upon request).

Our available thicknesses include:
1.6mm and 2.0mm thicknesses.

Purlin Accessories

We also stock a full range of Z and C purlin accessories, including:

  • Eaves beams
  • Side rails
  • Anti-sag bars and rods
  • Cleader angles
  • Sleeves
  • Cleats

Need Purlins for Your Building Project?

Our friendly team is here to help you find the right purlins and accessories for your project. Contact us today on 01278 228670 or email us at sales@briarwoodsupplies.co.uk for more information or place an order through our online shop.
View as

  • Delivery £120, or £75 when you spend £500 or more (most of England and Wales)

  •

    1.6mm 177mm Galvanised Zed Purlin Sleves (550mm Long)

    £12.93 excl. VAT £15.52 incl. VAT
    Nationwide delivery: 6–10 working days
    View product

  • 1.6mm 177mm Galvanised Zed Purlins (with Standard Punches)

    From£48.68 excl. VAT £58.42 incl. VAT
    Nationwide delivery: 6–10 working days
    View product

  • 177mm Purlin Cleats

    £10.73 excl. VAT £12.88 incl. VAT
    Nationwide delivery: 6–10 working days
    View product

  • M16 x 60mm Purlin Bolt & Nut

    £1.09 excl. VAT £1.31 incl. VAT
    Nationwide delivery: 6–10 working days
    View product

Do you need bespoke purlins supplied?

We understand that every building project is unique. That’s why we supply bespoke steel purlins and beams, tailored precisely to your specifications. Whether you need custom lengths, thicknesses, or specialised hole placements, our team is equipped to bring your vision to life, ensuring the perfect fit for your construction needs.

Get in touch with our friendly sales team today to discuss your project!

Call us at 01278 228670 or email [email protected] to get started.

Contact us today

We can handle your bespoke requirements

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Frequently asked questions

What steel purlins and fittings does Briarwood Supplies sell?

The online range is 1.6 mm, 177 mm galvanised Zed purlins with standard punches, 550 mm Zed purlin sleeves, 177 mm purlin cleats and M16 x 60 mm purlin bolts and nuts. Purlins carry the roof and wall sheets and are fixed to the building frame. Briarwood supplies the purlins and does not make them. Cee side rails and eaves beams are available through our team: call 01278 228670.

What is the difference between a Zed purlin and a Cee rail?

A Zed purlin is the roof section: P177-16, 177 mm deep, 1.6 mm thick, with flanges of 55 and 50 mm and lips of 18 and 16 mm. A Cee rail is the wall side rail section: C177-16, 177 mm deep, 1.6 mm thick, with flanges of 65 mm and lips of 15 mm. Cee rails are available through our team on 01278 228670.

What sizes, gauges and lengths are the purlins?

The Zed purlins on the shop are 177 mm deep and 1.6 mm thick, in lengths of 4572 mm (15 ft) and 6096 mm (20 ft). Steel-frame bays are usually 15 ft or 20 ft, so purlin length and frame spacing go together. Span and loading must be checked for your building before you order.

What are purlin cleats and sleeves, and what bolts do they use?

Purlins and rails bolt to cleats welded to the rafters and columns, and sit down on the steel. The 177 mm purlin cleat is pre-drilled with 18 mm holes for M16 bolts. A 550 mm Zed purlin sleeve joins two purlins over a rafter, and the bolt sold with it is an M16 x 60 mm bolt and nut.

How are Cee side rails fixed to a steel building?

A flat cleat plate is welded to the outer flange of each column at the rail height and sticks straight out. The rail's web lies flat on top of the cleat, with a Cee rail open side up. Joints over a column are sleeved: the sleeve goes on the cleat first, both rail ends lie over it, and M16 bolts go down through rail, sleeve and cleat. The cladding sheets fix to the rail's outer flange. Cee rails and rail sleeves are available through our team on 01278 228670.

What is an eaves beam and why does a steel building need one?

An eaves beam runs along each eaves, in place of a plain Zed purlin. Its top flange is formed to the roof pitch, so the roof sheets sit on it at the right angle. It also acts as the top side rail and carries the gutter. The roof's Zed purlins continue up the slope from it. Eaves beams are available through our team on 01278 228670.

Are the purlins punched or drilled, and what is the finish?

The Zed purlins are supplied with standard punches. The finish is plain galvanised, unpainted. The 177 mm cleat is pre-drilled with 18 mm holes.

How are steel purlins delivered?

Zed purlins and sleeves are long items, delivered by lorry to the kerbside, estimated 6 to 10 working days. Unloading assistance will be required. Cleats and bolts are small parcel items, delivered in 1 to 3 working days. We deliver to England, Wales and mainland Scotland, and collection from our Highbridge trade counter is free.