Z Purlin & C Purlin Size, Weight & Price Guide 2026 | Mumbai & Navi Mumbai
By Lead Architect
Z Purlin & C Purlin Size, Weight & Price Guide 2026 | Mumbai & Navi Mumbai
Z purlins (left) and C purlins (right) — the two standard cold roll-formed sections used in Indian steel buildings.
Looking for the right Z purlin or C purlin size for your shed, warehouse, or PEB project? This guide covers the standard purlin sizes available in India, weight per meter for every common section, indicative prices per kg in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and how to decide between Z and C profiles — everything you need before placing an order.
At Acier Steel Pvt Ltd, we roll-form GI purlins in-house at our Taloja MIDC facility using JSW and AMNS coil, and supply across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel, Kalamboli, Bhiwandi, Pune and the rest of Maharashtra — with standard dispatch within 1 week. Every section in this guide reflects our current production specs and 2026 factory pricing, updated directly from our Taloja plant.
What Are Z and C Purlins?
Cold roll-formed GI coil with a stiffening lip — the feature that gives thin-gauge purlins their load capacity.
Purlins are the secondary structural members of a steel building. They sit on top of the main frames (rafters or trusses) and directly support the roofing sheets and wall cladding. Modern purlins are cold roll-formed from high-tensile galvanized steel coil, which makes them 30–40% lighter than the traditional MS angles and channels they have replaced — without sacrificing strength.
The two standard profiles are named after their shape: the C purlin (also called C channel or C section) and the Z purlin (Z section). Both are manufactured with a stiffening lip on the flange edges, which is what gives a thin cold-formed section its remarkable load capacity.
Z Purlin vs C Purlin: Which One Do You Need?
This is the most common question we get at our Taloja counter, and the answer is simpler than most people expect:
- C purlins are best for simply supported spans — wall girts, mezzanine joists, door and window framing, and roofs where each purlin sits between two frames. They sit flat on the support, are easy to bolt, and are the default choice for smaller sheds and residential structures.
- Z purlins are designed for continuous multi-bay roofs. Their shape allows one purlin to overlap (lap) with the next over the support, creating a continuous member across the whole roof. This lapping increases load capacity and reduces sag, which is why PEB warehouses and industrial buildings almost always use Z purlins on the roof.
Quick decision guide: C purlin for single-bay/wall applications, Z purlin for continuous multi-bay roofs.
A simple rule of thumb: single bay or wall — C purlin; multi-bay industrial roof — Z purlin. If you send us your shed dimensions on WhatsApp, our team will confirm the right profile and size the same day.
Standard Purlin Sizes Available in India
Purlin sizes are written as Web × Flange × Lip × Thickness (all in mm). These are the standard sections we manufacture at Taloja:
How purlin sizes are measured and specified: Web × Flange × Lip × Thickness.
| Section (Web × Flange × Lip) | Thickness Range | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| C/Z 100 × 50 × 15 | 1.5 – 2.0 mm | Wall girts, small sheds, framing |
| C/Z 150 × 60 × 20 | 1.5 – 2.5 mm | Sheds up to ~6 m bay spacing |
| C/Z 200 × 60 × 20 | 1.5 – 3.0 mm | Standard industrial roofs, most popular size |
| C/Z 250 × 65 × 20 | 2.0 – 3.0 mm | Large-span warehouse roofs |
| C/Z 300 × 75 × 25 | 2.5 – 3.0 mm | Heavy PEB structures, long spans |
We supply purlins in custom cut lengths up to 12 meters, with or without punching. Our machine punches slotted holes rather than round holes — slots give erectors ±5 mm of adjustment on site, which means faster fit-up and fewer alignment problems with cleats.
Purlin Weight Chart (kg per Meter)
Purlins are sold by weight, so knowing the weight per meter lets you estimate your total tonnage and budget instantly. Approximate weights for GI purlins:
| Section | 1.5 mm | 2.0 mm | 2.5 mm | 3.0 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 × 50 × 15 | 2.6 kg/m | 3.4 kg/m | — | — |
| 150 × 60 × 20 | 3.5 kg/m | 4.6 kg/m | 5.7 kg/m | — |
| 200 × 60 × 20 | 4.1 kg/m | 5.4 kg/m | 6.7 kg/m | 7.9 kg/m |
| 250 × 65 × 20 | — | 6.2 kg/m | 7.7 kg/m | 9.2 kg/m |
| 300 × 75 × 25 | — | — | 9.4 kg/m | 11.2 kg/m |
Weights are approximate and vary slightly with coil coating (GSM) and exact section geometry. For a project estimate, share your purlin schedule and we will give exact weights from our production data.
Quick example: a 60 ft × 40 ft shed with Z 200 × 60 × 20 × 2.0 mm purlins at 1.4 m spacing typically needs around 1.6 – 1.8 MT of purlins. Call us with your shed size and we'll work it out for you in minutes.
GI Purlin Coating Options: 80 GSM vs 120 GSM vs 275 GSM
More zinc, longer life: coating class should match your site's distance from the coast.
The single biggest quality difference between two GI purlins that look identical is the zinc coating weight, measured in GSM (grams of zinc per square meter, total both sides). More zinc = longer corrosion protection. We manufacture purlins in three coating classes:
| Coating | Protection Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 80 GSM | Economy protection | Interior structures, dry inland locations, budget-driven projects, temporary structures |
| 120 GSM | Standard protection | Most industrial sheds and warehouses in Maharashtra — the popular middle ground of cost and life |
| 275 GSM | Heavy-duty protection | Coastal zones (Mumbai, Raigad, Alibag, Uran), chemical plants, fertilizer godowns, humid or corrosive environments — matches full IS 277 heavy coating class |
Our honest advice for the Mumbai region: within ~15 km of the coast or in any chemical MIDC zone, don't go below 120 GSM — and 275 GSM pays for itself. The zinc is what stands between your structure and red rust; saving a few rupees per kg on coating is how sheds end up needing purlin replacement in 8 years instead of 25.
Steel Grades: 250 MPa vs 350 MPa — Why Grade Matters
Higher tensile grade often means a thinner section for the same load — less steel, same strength.
Purlin coil comes in two yield-strength grades, and choosing correctly can actually reduce your total cost:
- 250 MPa (standard grade): the conventional choice, easy to work with, suits smaller sheds and wall girts where loads are modest.
- 350 MPa (high-tensile grade): 40% higher yield strength. A 350 MPa purlin can carry the same load as a 250 MPa purlin one thickness step higher — meaning you can often use 2.0 mm high-tensile instead of 2.5 mm standard, cutting total tonnage by 15–20%. This is why virtually all PEB companies specify 350 MPa for roof purlins.
The per-kg rate of 350 MPa is slightly higher, but because you buy fewer kilograms for the same strength, the total project cost is usually lower. Share your span and loading with us and we'll quote both options so you can compare.
Purlin Price Per Kg in Mumbai & Navi Mumbai (2026)
Purlin prices track the steel coil market, so they move month to month. As a current guide for the Mumbai region:
| Purlin Type | Indicative Price (₹/kg) | Price Depends On |
|---|---|---|
| GI Purlins | ₹80 – ₹96 per kg | GSM coating (80 / 120 / 275) and grade (250 / 350 MPa) |
| MS Purlins | ₹65 – ₹80 per kg | Thickness and grade |
- Within the GI range, 80 GSM / 250 MPa sits at the lower end and 275 GSM / 350 MPa at the upper end
- MS purlins cost less per kg but need site painting and repainting — factor that into your comparison
- Cut-to-length and slotted punching are included in our quoted rate — no hidden extras
Because we roll-form in-house at Taloja MIDC and buy coil directly from JSW and AMNS, we quote factory rates with no trader margin in between. WhatsApp us today's purlin rate — we respond during working hours within minutes.
Why Buy Purlins from Acier Steel Pvt Ltd?
Our in-house roll-forming line at Taloja MIDC — factory-direct pricing, no trader margin.
- In-house manufacturing at Taloja MIDC, Navi Mumbai — you buy from the maker, not a middleman
- JSW & AMNS raw material with mill test certificates available on request
- Custom lengths up to 12 m, slotted punching included
- Complete package under one roof: purlins + colour coated roofing sheets + flashings and accessories + self-drilling screws — one order, one truck, one bill
- Standard dispatch within 1 week across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Pune and all of Maharashtra
See our full purlin range on the GI Purlins product page, or read our earlier guide on why Z and C purlins are replacing angles, channels and beams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most common purlin size for industrial sheds in Maharashtra? Z 200 × 60 × 20 in 2.0 mm thickness is the workhorse of industrial roofing in the Mumbai region. It suits bay spacings of 6 – 7.5 m with typical roof loads. Smaller sheds often use C 150 × 60 × 20.
Q: How do I calculate the weight of a purlin? Multiply the weight per meter (from the chart above) by the length and the number of pieces. Example: 40 pieces of Z 200 × 60 × 20 × 2 mm in 6 m length = 40 × 6 × 5.4 = ~1,296 kg.
Q: What is the current purlin price per kg in Mumbai? GI purlins are approximately ₹80 – ₹96 per kg in 2026 depending on GSM coating (80/120/275) and grade (250/350 MPa). MS purlins range ₹65 – ₹80 per kg depending on thickness and grade. Rates change with the steel coil market — WhatsApp us at +91-9930885934 for today's rate.
Q: Which GSM coating should I choose for my location? For inland dry locations, 80 GSM is acceptable for budget projects. For most industrial sheds in Maharashtra, 120 GSM is the standard choice. For coastal areas like Mumbai, Raigad, Alibag, and Uran, or chemical/fertilizer environments, choose 275 GSM for maximum corrosion life.
Q: Do you supply purlins with holes for cleats? Yes. We punch slotted holes as per your cleat drawing. Slots (not round holes) give erection teams adjustment margin on site, which speeds up installation. Plain unpunched purlins are also available.
Q: What is the difference between GI purlins and MS painted purlins? GI purlins are roll-formed from galvanized coil, so corrosion protection is built into the steel itself — critical in Mumbai's coastal climate. MS purlins rely on site painting, which fails first at bolt holes and edges. GI costs slightly more upfront but outlasts MS by many years.
Q: What lengths can you supply and how fast is delivery? Any custom length up to 12 meters, cut to your exact schedule. Standard dispatch is within 1 week from our Taloja MIDC plant to sites across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and greater Maharashtra.
Get Today's Purlin Rate
Send your purlin schedule or shed dimensions and get a same-day quotation:
📞 +91-9930885934 | 💬 WhatsApp Now | ✉️ sales@aciersteelpvtltd.com