What are Purlins?
When it comes to roof building, it is sometimes good to go back to the basics. So, what is a pur-lin? Simply put, a purlin is “any longitudinal, horizontal, structural member in a roof.” For metal roofing specifically, purlins are “roof framing members that span parallel to the building eave and support the roof decking or sheeting.”
Purlins were traditionally developed for wooden shingles on roofs and are still used for wooden roofing to this day. The purlins help the wooden shingles maintain the perfect angle for shed-ding water away from the structure while also separating them just a little bit. That way, they could dry more easily after rainfall in order to avoid rot and unnecessary damage, thus extending their lifespan quite significantly.
Purlins are a cost-effective and faster way to set up metal roofing, and they are particularly ad-vantageous for residential metal roofing. Since using purlins means you do not need to build a deck for the roof, you can set up a metal roof in less time and with less materials, meaning you can save money on labor and construction.
What are the Other Options?
In general, purlins are used instead of traditional decking when it comes to metal roofs. With decking, A deck is a structure that separates the roofing itself from the structure, whereas the purlins will run parallel to the structure. A deck comes with some advantages, including a more solid foundation that you can make more even. Decks can help support the enormous weight of roofing more easily, and therefore are recommended for larger projects, like industrial and commercial metal roofing.
Metal roofing is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home, letting you install a more permanent roofing system that will require less maintenance and will last for decades to come. Plus, unlike the metal roofing of days gone by, new metal roofs are attractive, quiet, and cost effective, especially when you factor in the money you will save on regular roofing maintenance.
If you have chosen to upgrade your home or commercial building to a metal roof, you will have a few questions that need to be answered, perhaps none as foundational as what the roof is built on: purlins or decking. Both offer distinct advantages, and the right metal roofing company can help you make the best decision for your new metal roof. Given that purlins offer a cost-effective and quicker way to build metal roofing, they might be the best foundation for your metal roof, but a qualified, experienced metal roofing company will be able to guide you to the best choice for your roofing project.