Z Section Steel: Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications for Industrial Buildings<\/h2>
Z section steel (also called zed sections, Z-shaped steel, or Z steel sections) is a cold-formed profile whose cross-section resembles the letter Z: two parallel flanges joined by a diagonal web. The Z geometry allows sections to be nested and lapped over supports, which makes Z section steel exceptionally efficient for long-span roof purlins and continuous multi-span runs. This page is the complete buying reference from Sino East Steel Group — a direct steel structure manufacturer in Tianjin, China: z section steel sizes, z shaped steel weight charts, material and galvanizing options, 2026 FOB prices, and the exact way to order Z sections for your project.
1. What Is Z Section Steel?
Z section steel is a cold-rolled member with a Z-shaped cross-section: two flanges at opposite ends of a diagonal web, typically with stiffening lips. Because the web is diagonal, one flange can be oriented up and the other down, and consecutive sections can be nested inside each other. This nesting is the key to the Z section’s efficiency: purlins are lapped over the support point, creating a continuous beam with less material than a butt-jointed C section.
Z sections are roll formed from galvanized or cold-rolled steel strip, then punched with oval holes to accept M12/M16 bolts and other fixing hardware. They are manufactured to international standards including EN 10162, JIS G 3350, ASTM A1003, and GB/T 6723. Standard supply lengths are 6 m, 9 m, and 12 m, with custom lengths available. Where a project calls for roof purlins in particular, our dedicated Z purlin page covers lapping details, purlin schedules, and span tables in depth.
2. Z Section Steel vs C Section Steel: Which One Do You Need?
| Comparison | Z Section Steel | C Section Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-section | Z-shaped with diagonal web and lips | C/U-shaped with parallel flanges and lips |
| Joint method | Lapping/overlapping at supports — continuous spans | Butt joints with splice plates |
| Strength | Higher for the same weight; better for long spans | Good, but more material needed at long spans |
| Best for | Roof purlins on buildings over 20 m wide; multi-span layouts | Wall girts, short spans, small buildings |
| Installation | Nested stacking for shipping; simple bolted laps | Simple end-to-end fixing |
| Typical use | Warehouses, factories, PEB roofs, solar canopies | Girts, mezzanines, small workshops, racking |
For most industrial roofs, Z section steel is the cost-efficient choice. See our C purlin page for the alternative profile, and compare both against your engineer’s load calculations before ordering.
3. Z Section Steel Sizes & Dimensions
Standard Z section steel sizes cover section depths from 80 mm to 300 mm. The table below lists common profiles with their flange and lip dimensions. Custom sizes and lengths are produced to order — our roll forming line adjusts to any profile within the capacity of the coil width.
| Section (mm) | Depth × Flange × Lip | Typical Thickness | Common Lengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z80 | 80 × 40 × 15 | 1.5–2.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z100 | 100 × 50 × 20 | 1.5–2.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z120 | 120 × 50 × 20 | 1.5–2.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z140 | 140 × 50 × 20 | 1.5–2.5 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z150 | 150 × 60 × 20 | 1.8–2.5 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z160 | 160 × 60 × 20 | 1.8–2.5 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z180 | 180 × 70 × 20 | 2.0–3.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z200 | 200 × 70 × 20 | 2.0–3.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z220 | 220 × 75 × 20 | 2.0–3.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z250 | 250 × 75 × 20 | 2.5–3.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
| Z300 | 300 × 80 × 25 | 2.5–3.0 mm | 6 / 9 / 12 m |
Dimension tolerances follow EN 10162 and GB/T 6723: depth ±2 mm, flange width ±2 mm, lip ±1.5 mm, thickness per coil tolerance, and straightness within 1/500 of length. When you specify Z section steel, quote the depth first (diagonal web), then the flange width, then the lip, then the thickness — for example Z200 × 70 × 20 × 2.0 mm. For a size not listed, send your drawing and our tooling team will confirm the profile and lead time.
4. Z Section Steel Weight Chart (kg per metre)
Indicative weights for common galvanized Z section steel profiles (calculated per GB/T 6723, ±5%):
| Section | 1.5 mm | 1.8 mm | 2.0 mm | 2.5 mm | 3.0 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z80 × 40 × 15 | 2.2 kg/m | 2.6 kg/m | 2.9 kg/m | — | — |
| Z100 × 50 × 20 | 2.8 kg/m | 3.3 kg/m | 3.7 kg/m | — | — |
| Z120 × 50 × 20 | 3.0 kg/m | 3.6 kg/m | 4.0 kg/m | — | — |
| Z140 × 50 × 20 | 3.3 kg/m | 3.9 kg/m | 4.3 kg/m | 5.4 kg/m | — |
| Z150 × 60 × 20 | — | 4.1 kg/m | 4.7 kg/m | 5.9 kg/m | — |
| Z160 × 60 × 20 | 3.6 kg/m | 4.3 kg/m | 4.8 kg/m | 6.0 kg/m | — |
| Z180 × 70 × 20 | — | 4.7 kg/m | 5.2 kg/m | 6.5 kg/m | 7.8 kg/m |
| Z200 × 70 × 20 | — | 5.1 kg/m | 5.6 kg/m | 7.0 kg/m | 8.4 kg/m |
| Z220 × 75 × 20 | — | — | 6.0 kg/m | 7.5 kg/m | 9.0 kg/m |
| Z250 × 75 × 20 | — | — | 6.6 kg/m | 8.2 kg/m | 9.9 kg/m |
| Z300 × 80 × 25 | — | — | — | 9.9 kg/m | 11.9 kg/m |
Use the z section steel weight chart to estimate freight and steel tonnage for your quotation: a 40 ft container holds roughly 22–25 tonnes of nested Z sections, which typically covers 1,500–2,500 m of sections depending on profile. Multiply the per-metre weight by your total length to get net tonnage, then add 2–3% for punching waste, end cuts, and packaging.
5. Material Grades & Corrosion Protection
| Option | Specification | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Structural steel | Q235B / S235JR — yield 235 MPa | Dry internal environments |
| High-strength steel | Q355B / S355JR / S450–S550 (cold forming) | Long spans, heavy loads |
| Galvanized (pre-painted coil) | Z180 / Z275 / Z350 / Z450 g/m² per EN 10346 | Corrosive atmospheres, coastal sites |
| Hot-dip galvanized (after forming) | HDG 70–85 µm (ISO 1461) | Aggressive coastal / industrial exposure |
| Paint coating | Polyester / PVDF topcoat, optional | Architectural color matching |
For warehouse and factory projects in humid or coastal regions — including much of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia — specify at least Z275 galvanizing. Our mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1) accompany every batch.
6. Z Section Steel Prices in 2026 (FOB China)
Indicative export pricing from our Tianjin factory (FOB, 2026):
| Product | Indicative Price | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized Z section (Z275, standard sections) | USD 780–980 per tonne FOB | 5 tonnes (mix sizes OK) |
| High-strength / thick sections (2.5–3.0 mm) | USD 820–1,050 per tonne FOB | 5 tonnes |
| Hot-dip galvanized Z section (HDG) | USD 950–1,200 per tonne FOB | 10 tonnes |
| Punching / custom length / drilling | Included or nominal charge | — |
Prices move with global steel coil markets and exchange rates, so treat these as planning ranges. For a firm quotation send your sections, quantities, and destination port to paul@sinoeaststeel.com. To estimate the full landed cost of a steel building in your market, see our Kenya, Nigeria, and UAE cost guides.
7. Z Section Steel Applications
- Roof purlins — spanning between rafters in warehouses, factories, and distribution centers; typical spacing 1.2–1.5 m.
- Continuous multi-span runs — lapped Z sections carry more load per kilogram than butt-jointed alternatives.
- Wall girts — horizontal members supporting wall cladding and composite panels.
- Pre-engineered buildings (PEB) — standard secondary framing for clear-span structures.
- Solar canopies and carports — long-span rails for PV panels and shade structures.
- Mezzanines and equipment platforms — Z sections as joists and stiffeners where spans are long.
Related cold-formed profiles we manufacture: C Purlin, Lipped Channels, Plain Channels, Hat Channels, U Channels, and UPN Channels. For the full range of steel structure products — PEB, warehouses, and heavy steel — start from our product catalogue.
8. Why Buy Z Section Steel Direct from Sino East Steel Group
Sino East Steel Group is a direct China steel structure manufacturer, not a trader. Since 1993 we have operated a 50,000 m² fabrication facility in Tianjin Industrial Park, Daqiuzhuang — China’s largest steel processing hub — with our own cold roll forming lines, CNC punching, and hot-dip galvanizing capacity.
- Factory-direct pricing — no middleman; 20–40% below regional re-seller prices.
- Certified quality — ISO 9001:2015, ISO 3834-2, EN 1090 EXC3/EXC4, AWS D1.1; mill test certificates on every batch.
- Custom profiles and punching — holes, slots, and lengths to your shop drawings.
- Export documentation — invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, EN 10204 3.1 certificates for smooth clearance.
- 100,000+ tonnes annual capacity — standard sections ship in 1–2 weeks; custom profiles in 3–4 weeks.
Before committing to any factory, use our manufacturer verification checklist — we welcome third-party inspection at any stage.
9. How to Order Z Section Steel from China
- Send your section size (or drawing), length, quantity, and destination port.
- Receive an itemized quotation within 24–48 hours (FOB/CIF).
- Approve the shop drawing and punching pattern.
- We fabricate and test (SGS/BV/TÜV inspection optional).
- We ship FCL from Tianjin with full export documentation.
For complete projects — purlins plus primary steel — see our procurement guide for importers.
10. Z Section Steel Span & Spacing Guide
Span and spacing depend on section size, steel grade, and local wind/snow loads — always confirm with structural calculations. As a planning reference for roof purlins with 1.2–1.5 m spacing and light cladding:
| Section | Typical Single Span | Typical Continuous (lapped) Span |
|---|---|---|
| Z140 × 50 × 20 × 2.0 | 3.5–4.5 m | 5.0–6.0 m |
| Z160 × 60 × 20 × 2.0 | 4.0–5.0 m | 5.5–6.5 m |
| Z200 × 70 × 20 × 2.0 | 4.5–5.5 m | 6.0–7.5 m |
| Z250 × 75 × 20 × 2.5 | 5.5–6.5 m | 7.5–9.0 m |
| Z300 × 80 × 25 × 3.0 | 6.5–8.0 m | 9.0–11.0 m |
Lapping over supports is what makes Z section steel economical for wide buildings: a continuous two-span purlin carries roughly 25–30% more load than the same section used as a single span. Our engineers can produce a full purlin schedule and connection detail for your frame free of charge when you request a quotation.
11. Packing, Shipping & Delivery
Z sections are stacked and nested into compact bundles, strapped with steel bands, and loaded into 40 ft containers or break-bulk holds at Tianjin Port. Each bundle carries a mark tag with your project name, section, and length for easy site sorting. Standard export documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates — is provided with every shipment.
Typical transit times: 3–4 weeks to the Middle East (Jebel Ali), 4–6 weeks to East and West Africa (Mombasa, Lagos), 4–5 weeks to Europe, and 3–5 weeks to North America. For full-project shipping details, read our international shipping and installation guide.
12. Z Section Steel FAQ
Q: What is Z section steel used for?
A: Z section steel is used mainly for roof purlins and wall girts in industrial buildings, plus solar canopies and long-span secondary members. Its Z shape allows lapped continuous runs with less material.
Q: What sizes does Z section steel come in?
A: Standard depths range from 80 mm to 300 mm with flange widths of 40–80 mm, thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and lengths up to 12 m (custom lengths available).
Q: How much does Z section steel cost?
A: In 2026, galvanized Z sections run roughly USD 780–980 per tonne FOB China; hot-dip galvanized sections USD 950–1,200 per tonne. Freight and duty vary by destination.
Q: What is the weight of Z section steel per metre?
A: For example, a Z200×70×20×2.0 mm section weighs about 5.6 kg/m; a Z250×75×20×2.5 mm section about 8.2 kg/m. Use our weight chart above for planning.
Q: Is Z section steel galvanized?
A: Yes — we supply Z180 to Z450 galvanized Z sections per EN 10346, or fully hot-dip galvanized (HDG 70–85 µm) sections for coastal and aggressive environments.
Q: What is the standard for Z section steel?
A: Common standards are EN 10162, JIS G 3350, ASTM A1003, and GB/T 6723. Our production and tolerances comply with all four.
Q: Can you make custom Z section profiles?
A: Yes. Our roll forming line produces custom depths, flange widths, lips, holes, and lengths to your shop drawings, with 3–4 weeks tooling and production lead time.
Q: What is the difference between Z section steel and a Z purlin?
A: They are the same family — a Z purlin is Z section steel used as a purlin. For roof purlin sizing, lapping details, and span tables, see our dedicated Z purlin page.
Q: How do I get a Z section steel quotation?
A: Email your section size, length, quantity, and destination port to paul@sinoeaststeel.com or message us on WhatsApp — you will receive an itemized FOB/CIF quotation within 48 hours.
Get a Z Section Steel Quote — Direct from the Factory
Send your sections, lengths, and quantities for an itemized FOB/CIF quotation within 48 hours.
Email: paul@sinoeaststeel.com | WhatsApp: +86 186 2208 8833
