40+ Years Supporting Trade and Public Customers

Structural steel arriving short, wrong gauge or without the cleats stops a build dead. Nobody's sheeting a roof that isn't framed.

We hold proper stock, buy from UK manufacturers, and put you through to people who've specified purlins on hundreds of frames rather than reading dimensions off a screen.

Family-run, four decades in, and the reason builders and contractors keep ringing back is that the order matches the drawing.

Give Us the Span and We'll Size It

Depth, gauge, spacing and lap all follow from the span and what the roof has to carry. Snow loading in particular catches people out.

Send the span, the purlin centres you're working to, the sheet or panel going on top and the frame it's fixing to. We'll come back with the section size, the quantity, the cleats and the fixings.

Still got questions? We've answered some of the most common ones below.

Steel Purlins & Cee Sections FAQs

When do I use a Zed and when do I use a Cee?

Zeds for roof purlins across multiple bays, because they lap at the supports and stiffen the run. Cees for side rails, single spans, floor joists and anywhere you need a flat face to fix against. Plenty of buildings use both.

How do I know what depth and gauge to order?

It comes from the span, the purlin centres and the load the roof carries, including snow. There's no safe rule of thumb. Send us the details, and we'll size it, or check it against your engineer's specification.

What spacing should the purlins be at?

Usually driven by the roof covering, since sheets and panels have their own maximum span. Tell us what's going on top, and we'll tell you what centres it needs.

Do the sections come pre-drilled?

Standard sections come with pre-punched holes to suit typical cleat positions, which saves a lot of drilling on site. If your frame is non-standard, mention it when you order.

What are cleats and do I always need them?

They're the bracket connecting the purlin to the rafter or column. On steel frames, yes, you'll need them, and the type has to suit both the section and the frame it's bolting to.

What is a Cleader mini zed for?

Lighter framing where a full purlin would be over-specified. Canopies, infill panels, small structures and secondary support. Same principle, smaller section.

Can I cut purlins to length on site?

You can, though cut ends lose their galvanised protection and should be treated. Better to order to length where possible. Send your dimensions, and we'll see what we can supply ready to fit.

Will steel purlins work with insulated panels?

That's a very common pairing. The panel spans between the purlins and does the covering and insulation in one. Tell us the panel, and we'll make sure the purlin spacing suits it.

Is steel better than timber for purlins?

For most spans, yes. Steel carries more over a longer distance for less weight, stays dimensionally stable, and won't shrink or twist as it dries out. Timber still has its place on smaller domestic work.

Can you supply for a domestic project?

Yes. Garages, workshops, extensions and garden buildings all come up regularly. The order size doesn't change the help you get.

Do you deliver steel sections nationwide?

We do, on pre-arranged dates. Long sections need decent access and space to unload, so tell us about the site when you order, and we'll send a suitable vehicle.

Can you quantify the whole frame for me?

Send the drawings or the dimensions, and we'll work through it: sections, lengths, quantities, cleats and fixings, so nothing turns up missing when the crane's booked.