Purlins, Girts & Eave Struts – The Basic Components of Metal Buildings
When you look at a metal building, all you see is a sturdy frame, shiny panels, modern doors and windows, or maybe a sleek roof. But there is a lot that a building needs to stand strong to comfort you in all the seasons. The three key components that play a crucial role in ensuring your structure’s strength and functionality are purlins, girts, and eave struts.
Let’s discuss these essential parts of the metal building in an easy-to-understand way. By the end, you will be familiar with all these elements and know how important they are.
What Are Purlins?
Purlins are beams or bars that are placed horizontally on the roof of a steel building. They are installed perpendicular to the rafters and are designed to serve two primary functions:
Support the Roof Panels: The panels of your metal roof rest on purlins. You can’t ensure the durability and stability of your roof without the support of these horizontal beams.
Strengthen the Structure: Purlins not just provide stability but also add extra strength to your building. It will help your roof withstand external weather forces like strong winds and heavy rain or snowfall. Also, they can protect against falling objects, like tree branches during a storm.
Types of Purlins
Let’s talk about different types of purlins, each with its unique quality.
Z-Purlins: The purlins look like the letter “Z” when you view them from the side. Their shape helps them to overlap, which makes them strong and easy to install on larger spans.
C-Purlins: As the name suggests, C-Purlins resemble the letter “C”, and are often used for shorter spans or where overlapping is not needed. They are usually installed in small structures.
Why Are Purlins Important?
Just imagine, you are installing a roof without purlins, it can sag and buckle. In fact, the roof can collapse under pressure. The purlins help to distribute the weight evenly across the structure to make sure the roof panels stay firmly in place. Whether you are planning to build a small home or a big warehouse, purlins are a non-negotiable part of your design.
What Are Girts?
While purlins are the unsung heroes of the roof, girts play a similar role for the walls. Girts are horizontal framing components that are attached to the wall columns. They support the walls, and provide additional stability to your steel building.
The Role of Girts
Hold the Wall Panels: Purlins support the roof panels; just like that, girts keep the wall panels securely in one place. Without the girts, your wall would lack the backbone it needs to stand strong and firm.
Boost Structural Stability: Girts run from column to column to provide support to your wall. These girts make your building strong enough to stand against environmental forces like wind pressures and more. Also, it protects your structure from accidental bumps from
machinery.
Types of Girts
Girts also come in Z-shapes and C-shapes, much like purlins. The choice between the two depends on the specific design and engineering needs of the building.
Girts in Action
Picture a windy day. Without girts, walls of your metal building would sway, rattle, or even fail. Girts anchor the wall panels safely, making sure that the entire structure remains stable, regardless of the weather outside.
What Are Eave Struts?
Now that we have covered roofs and walls let’s discuss the eave struts. This component of your metal building is placed where your roof and wall meet. It provides support right at the intersection of these two parts.
The Role of Eave Struts
Connect Roof and Walls: Eave struts create a smooth transition between the roof and walls, ensuring that the building is both structurally sound and visually cohesive.
Improve Drainage: Eave struts are part of the eave system that directs rainwater away from the building to prevent water damage.
Types of Eave Struts
Eave struts are usually “C” or “Z” shaped, like purlins and girts. They are made to handle the stresses where the roof connects to the wall.
Why Eave Struts Matter
You can think of eave struts as the glue that holds the roof and walls together. Without them, this critical meeting point would be a weak point that can compromise the strength of your metal building.
Wrapping It Up
Purlins, girts, and eave struts are not considered the most fascinating parts of a metal building, but without a doubt, they are absolutely essential for your metal building. They function as the backbone of the metal structures, making sure it is stable and durable. Whether you’re constructing a small shed, a large warehouse, or anything in between, understanding these components will give you a greater appreciation for the engineering that goes into metal buildings.
So the next time you walk into a metal building, take a moment to think about the purlins, girts, and eave struts holding it all together. These unsung heroes are quietly doing the heavy lifting, one beam at a time!
Image Source – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563442603399409225/
