C Purlin: Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications for Industrial Buildings

C Purlin: Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications for Industrial Buildings<\/h2>

C purlins (also written cee purlins or channel purlins) are cold-formed steel secondary members that support roof sheets and wall cladding in warehouses, factories, workshops, and pre-engineered buildings. Their C-shaped cross-section is easy to cut, drill, and bolt, which makes them the default choice for wall girts, purlins on smaller roofs, and interior framing. This page is the complete buying reference from Sino East Steel Group — a direct steel structure manufacturer in Tianjin, China: C purlin sizes and C purlin weight charts, galvanized coating options, 2026 FOB prices, span guidance, and the exact way to order C purlins for your project.

1. What Is a C Purlin?

A C purlin is a cold-rolled, C-section steel member used as secondary framing. The purlin sits between the primary frame (rafters, columns, portal frames) and the roof or wall panel, transferring wind and roof loads into the main structure. The C profile offers two stiffening lips at the ends of the flanges, which increase its local buckling resistance and allow long unsupported lengths with relatively light gauges.

C purlins are manufactured by cold roll forming from galvanized or cold-rolled steel strip, then punched with oval holes to accept M12/M16 bolts and other fixing hardware. They are produced to international standards including EN 10162, JIS G 3350, ASTM A1003, and GB/T 6723 (cold-formed steel sections). Because the cross-section is uniform along the length and the material is work-hardened during forming, C purlins give a high strength-to-weight ratio at a low cost per metre. They also nest compactly for freight, and the punched fixing pattern can be repeated identically on every piece, which speeds up site assembly and keeps your erection crew productive.

2. C Purlin vs Z Purlin: Which One Do You Need?

Comparison	C Purlin (C Section)	Z Purlin (Z Section)
Cross-section	C/U-shaped with parallel flanges and lips	Z-shaped, symmetrical flanges
Joint method	Butt joints with splice plates or overlap sleeves	Lapping/overlapping at supports — continuous spans
Strength	Good for short to medium spans	Higher for the same weight; better for long spans
Best for	Wall girts, short spans, small buildings, framing	Roof purlins on buildings over 20 m wide; multi-span layouts
Installation	Simple end-to-end fixing, easy to detail	Nested stacking for shipping; simple bolted laps
Typical use	Girts, mezzanines, small workshops, racking	Warehouses, factories, PEB roofs

For most walls and for roofs up to about 20 m wide, C purlins are the cost-efficient choice. See our Z purlin page for the alternative profile, and compare both against your engineer’s load calculations before ordering.

3. C Purlin Sizes & Dimensions

Standard C purlin sizes cover section depths from 100 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
C100	100 × 50 × 20	1.5–2.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C120	120 × 50 × 20	1.5–2.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C140	140 × 50 × 20	1.5–2.5 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C150	150 × 60 × 20	1.8–2.5 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C160	160 × 60 × 20	1.8–2.5 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C180	180 × 70 × 20	2.0–3.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C200	200 × 70 × 20	2.0–3.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C220	220 × 75 × 20	2.0–3.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C250	250 × 75 × 20	2.5–3.0 mm	6 / 9 / 12 m
C300	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, thickness per coil tolerance, and straightness within 1/500 of length. When you measure a C purlin, always quote the depth first (web), then the flange width, then the lip, then the thickness — for example C200 × 70 × 20 × 2.0 mm. For a size not listed, send your drawing — our roll forming line adjusts to custom profiles with a short tooling lead time.

4. C Purlin Weight Chart (kg per metre)

Indicative weights for common galvanized C purlin sections (calculated per GB/T 6723, ±5%):

Section	1.5 mm	1.8 mm	2.0 mm	2.5 mm	3.0 mm
C140 × 50 × 20	3.3 kg/m	3.9 kg/m	4.3 kg/m	5.4 kg/m	—
C160 × 60 × 20	3.6 kg/m	4.3 kg/m	4.8 kg/m	6.0 kg/m	—
C180 × 70 × 20	—	4.7 kg/m	5.2 kg/m	6.5 kg/m	7.8 kg/m
C200 × 70 × 20	—	5.1 kg/m	5.6 kg/m	7.0 kg/m	8.4 kg/m
C220 × 75 × 20	—	—	6.0 kg/m	7.5 kg/m	9.0 kg/m
C250 × 75 × 20	—	—	6.6 kg/m	8.2 kg/m	9.9 kg/m
C300 × 80 × 25	—	—	—	9.9 kg/m	11.9 kg/m

Use the C purlin weight chart to estimate freight and steel tonnage for your quotation: a 40 ft container holds roughly 22–25 tonnes of C purlins, which typically covers 1,500–2,500 m of sections depending on profile. Multiply the per-metre weight by your total length to get the 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, and we can add pre-painted finishes for visible purlin runs.

6. C Purlin Prices in 2026 (FOB China)

Indicative export pricing from our Tianjin factory (FOB, 2026):

Product	Indicative Price	MOQ
Galvanized C purlin (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 C purlin (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. C Purlin Applications

• Wall girts — horizontal members supporting wall cladding, composite panels, and insulated panels; typical spacing 1.2–1.5 m.
• Roof purlins — spanning between rafters in workshops, canopies, and small to medium warehouses.
• Mezzanine floors and equipment platforms — C sections as joists and edge beams with timber or steel deck.
• Pre-engineered buildings (PEB) — standard secondary framing where lap joints or splice plates suit the span.
• Racking, shelving, and solar mounting — lighter C sections for storage systems and photovoltaic structures.
• Agriculture and cold storage — galvanized C purlins withstand humidity in poultry, dairy, and cold-chain buildings.

Related cold-formed profiles we manufacture: Lipped Channels, Plain Channels, Hat Channels, Z Section Steel, 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 C Purlins 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 C Purlins from China

1. Send your section size (or drawing), length, quantity, and destination port.
2. Receive an itemized quotation within 24–48 hours (FOB/CIF).
3. Approve the shop drawing and punching pattern.
4. We fabricate and test (SGS/BV/TÜV inspection optional).
5. We ship FCL from Tianjin with full export documentation.

For complete projects — purlins plus primary steel — see our procurement guide for importers.

10. C Purlin 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 C purlins with 1.2–1.5 m spacing and light cladding:

Section	Typical Single Span	Typical Continuous (spliced) Span
C140 × 50 × 20 × 2.0	3.0–4.0 m	4.5–5.5 m
C160 × 60 × 20 × 2.0	3.5–4.5 m	5.0–6.0 m
C200 × 70 × 20 × 2.0	4.0–5.0 m	5.5–6.5 m
C250 × 75 × 20 × 2.5	5.0–6.0 m	6.5–8.0 m
C300 × 80 × 25 × 3.0	5.5–7.0 m	7.5–9.0 m

C purlins are normally specified as single spans with cleat or splice connections; where very long continuous runs are needed, Z purlins with lapped joints are usually more economical. 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

C purlins 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. C Purlin FAQ

Q: What is the difference between a C purlin and a Z purlin?
A: The C section is butt-jointed and fixed end-to-end, which suits wall girts and shorter roof spans; the Z section laps and nests at supports, giving longer continuous spans and higher strength per kilogram for wide roofs.

Q: What sizes do C purlins come in?
A: Standard depths range from 100 mm to 300 mm with flange widths of 50–80 mm, in thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and lengths up to 12 m (custom lengths available).

Q: How much does a C purlin cost?
A: In 2026, galvanized C purlins 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 a C purlin per metre?
A: For example, a C200×70×20×2.0 mm section weighs about 5.6 kg/m; a C250×75×20×2.5 mm section about 8.2 kg/m. Use our weight chart above for planning.

Q: Are C purlins galvanized?
A: Yes — we supply Z180 to Z450 galvanized purlins per EN 10346, or fully hot-dip galvanized (HDG 70–85 µm) sections for coastal and aggressive environments.

Q: What is the standard for C purlins?
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 C purlin 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 recommended purlin spacing for C purlins?
A: For roof purlins with light cladding (0.5 mm sheet or sandwich panel), the standard spacing is 1.2–1.5 m; heavier or insulated panels may require 1.0–1.2 m. Wall girt spacing is typically 1.2–1.5 m depending on panel spanning capacity and wind zone.

Q: How do I get a C purlin 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.