A purlin is a horizontal beam or bar used for structural support in buildings, most commonly in a roof. Purlins are supported either by rafters or the walls of the building. They are most commonly used in metal buildings, though they sometimes replace closely spaced rafters in wood frame structures.
The purlins of a roof support the weight of the roof deck. The roof deck is the wood panel, ply board, or metal sheeting that creates the surface of the roof. When made of wood, it is usually covered with some sort of weatherproofing and sometimes an insulation material.
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Several kinds of purlins exist. They are divided into categories based on the material from which they are made and their shape. Different purlins are used for different purposes, including structural support of walls or floors. Though solid beams of wood are sometimes used as purlins, the purlin most commonly used in roofing is the steel purlin, which is usually made of cold-formed steel that is thin enough to put screws through.
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