Purlins & Sections
Purlins & Sections for every project
Our range of cold rolled purlins and structural sections provides a versatile and efficient solution for secondary steelwork within modern steel framed buildings. The system includes a comprehensive selection of Z sections, C sections, Sigma sections and Eaves Beams, allowing designers and contractors to create practical and economical roof and wall support systems for a wide variety of building types.
Each section is designed to work as part of a complete system, with dedicated intermediate supports, cleats and connection options available to suit different structural arrangements and loading requirements. This flexibility allows the system to be adapted for both roof purlin and wall rail applications across agricultural, industrial and commercial projects.
With multiple section sizes, thicknesses and connection configurations available, the range offers a high degree of design flexibility while maintaining efficient structural performance. Whether used for simple single-span buildings or more complex multi-span frames, these cold rolled sections provide reliable support for roof and wall cladding systems while helping to optimise material use and installation efficiency.
Eaves Beam
Recessed
summary
key
400mm
Maximum Depth
170mm
Minimum Depth
2.0
mm
Gauge Available
2.5
mm
Gauge Available
3.0
mm
Gauge Available
TECHNICAL: Information
Our range of cold rolled purlins and structural sections are designed to provide reliable and efficient secondary steelwork for a wide range of building types. Manufactured from high-strength steel, these sections are commonly used as roof purlins, wall rails and eaves beams within steel framed buildings.
To support design and specification, we provide comprehensive load/span tables covering the various connection types, along with detailed DWG drawings and a full technical manual for our section range.
Our systems are also fully specifiable within Tekla and Autodesk Advance Steel, allowing designers and contractors to easily incorporate the sections into their structural models and project drawings.
In addition, our team can assist with the layout and configuration of purlin, rail and eaves beam systems, helping to develop practical and efficient arrangements using CAD support. This assistance is intended to support project development and coordination alongside the appointed project designers and engineers.
Section Properties
MAIN FEATURES
- Designed to sit within the roof construction for a clean, integrated eaves detail
- Enhanced profile incorporating a sigma-formed section for increased strength and rigidity
- Provides robust support for gutter systems while maintaining a concealed appearance
- Ideal for projects requiring a flush eaves finish and improved visual detailing
- High strength galvanised steel construction for durability and long service life
- Compatible with insulated and built-up roof systems
- Suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications
- Available in a range of sizes and thicknesses to suit project requirements
Our purlins and structural sections are manufactured from high-strength steel with a minimum yield strength of 450 N/mm², providing increased structural capacity compared with systems produced from lower grade steels such as 390 N/mm². The higher strength material allows the sections to deliver excellent load carrying performance while maintaining an efficient strength-to-weight ratio.
All sections are supplied with a Z275 galvanised coating, providing durable corrosion protection suitable for a wide range of construction environments. This coating applies approximately 275 g/m² of zinc to the steel surface, helping to extend service life by protecting the underlying steel from moisture and atmospheric exposure.
The combination of high-strength steel and robust galvanised protection ensures our purlins and sections offer reliable structural performance, durability and long-term resistance to corrosion, making them well suited to agricultural, industrial and commercial building applications.
PURLIN AND RAIL LAYOUTS
CONNECTION METHODS
Thomas Panels and Profiles offer a versatile range of purlin and rail layouts designed to suit various structural needs, including butted, sleeved, and double-span configurations. Each layout is engineered for optimal performance and ease of installation, providing robust support for cladding systems.
Inset (NON-CONTINUOUS) Layouts
The inset or non-continuous system is installed using cleats in the web of the column rather than the flange. The sheeting face of the eaves beam is in line with the outer flange of the column which reduces the external dimensions of the building envelope. It also reduces the effective span of the eaves beam and can be used with the Spanflow gutter system to provide support to the end of the sheet whilst still using the standard Spanflow cleat.
Details
Layout
Stub Cleat Layouts
The continuous system can be applied with recessed or flat faced eaves beam variants. A butted, sleeved or double span rail system can be employed with this layout which provides a great deal of options when selecting the optimal design for economy and strength.
Using a continuous system throughout the structure can make detailing more straightforward as similar bay sizes will require the same length sections for the eaves, rail and purlin sections. This means considerations for the stanchion flange sizes and thicknesses are not neccessary when detailing these sections whereas they must be in a non-continuous system.
Details
Layout
PUNCHING CAPABILITIES
Maximum number of 18mm Ø gauge lines = 3
Maximum number of 14mm Ø gauge lines = 2
Maximum number of 18mm slot gauge llines = 2
Maximum number of 14mm slot gauge llines = 2
18mm Ø can be used with 14mm on the same or different gauge lines
Holes are punched in pairs of gauge lines as standard but can be punched singularly if required
Flange holes are a separate gauge line to the web holes
Sigma shape, depth and angle cannot be changed
SINGLE SPAN
The single-span system from Thomas Panels and Profiles is a versatile solution available in both butted and sleeved configurations. In a butted application, rails are directly connected end-to-end, providing straightforward installation and suitable support for shorter spans.
For longer spans, the sleeved option adds an extra layer of reinforcement by connecting rails with sleeves, enhancing load-bearing strength and overall stability.
Both configurations offer reliable structural support, making them ideal for a range of building types and roof and wall requirements.
DOUBLE SPAN
The double-span rail system from Thomas Panels and Profiles is designed to minimize the number of joints, enhancing structural integrity and reducing potential weak points.
The double-span rail system from Thomas Panels and Profiles is designed to minimize the number of joints, enhancing structural integrity and reducing potential weak points.
This robust design ensures enhanced durability and stability, accommodating a variety of cladding materials while promoting a more efficient and reliable roofing solution.
GALVANISED COATING
We use a high quality base steel for all of our manufactured products. This is then hot-dip galvanised with a Z275g/m² coating to ensure longevity of the foundation material.
You can expect sheets and flashings of this material to last approximately 10 years. This galvanised base layer is available in a range of thicknesses depending on the requirement.
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Galvanised
