Thread: Creative thinking

Hi There

There are a lot of plumbing places like Reece and Stratco that will bend up whatever profile you need from sheetmetal. Would that do the trick? It wasn't all that expensive last time I looked either.

The member you have named "purlin" is a 'rafter' or if its a truss then is called the 'top cord'.

The purlins are the ones placed across the rafter or top cord. The purlins are the ones you fix the sheeting to.

If you use the right size purlin that will finish at the same height of the guttering then the roof sheeting will finish into the guttering, thus eliminating the need for any flashing.

But if you do need flashing then as OBBob says Stratco (i've found Stratco to be very dear) or any sheetmetal shop will fold to your requirement.

Originally Posted by rod1949

The member you have named "purlin" is a 'rafter' or if its a truss then is called the 'top cord'.

Without wanting to be a spelling nazi, for the sake of accuracy I think it's spelled "chord".


Cheers.................Sean

Originally Posted by scooter

Without wanting to be a spelling nazi, for the sake of accuracy I think it's spelled "chord".

Cheers.................Sean

You're dead right

Also, the purlin (as rod1949 has called it) is more commonly known in residential framing as a batten.

unless its on edge, then its called a purlin

Argh, made a long reply and the server said it was too busy

Thanks for the thoughts... was trying to avoid having something made up. Oh well... will check it out...

Are they still called rafters and purlins if theyre made out of patio tube?

The purlins have been placed flush with the rafters so it can be lined from the inside without additional material being used. Is there any problem with doing that? (other then obvious problem I have now with flashing)

A purlin goes under the rafters to stop them wandering around in the middle of long lengths - its usually a significant beam, whereas bearers are thin timbers basically just to nail roofing into.