Typical profiles include C Sections, Z Sections, U Channels, C Purlins, Z Purlins, Hat Sections and custom cold formed profiles.

Compared with many conventional structural members, cold formed steel sections offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional consistency, efficient material utilization and convenient installation.

They are widely used in steel structure warehouses, industrial workshops, prefabricated buildings, roofing systems, wall framing, light steel structures, solar support systems and secondary steel framing.

ZSJH Steel can provide standard and customized cold formed steel sections according to project drawings, dimensions, material grades, coating requirements and engineering specifications.

Main Cold Formed Steel Section Types

1. Cold Formed C Section

Cold Formed C Sections feature a C-shaped cross-section and are commonly used as roof purlins, wall girts and secondary framing members.

Typical Applications

• Steel building roof purlins

• Wall girts

• Light steel framing

• Equipment support frames

• Industrial buildings

• Prefabricated structures

2. Cold Formed Z Section

Z Sections are particularly suitable for roofing systems because adjacent sections can be overlapped at structural supports.

Typical Applications

• Roof purlins

• Large-span industrial buildings

• Steel structure warehouses

• Factory buildings

• Agricultural buildings

• Commercial steel buildings

3. Cold Formed U Channel

U Channels can be used for wall framing, tracks, supporting structures and various light structural applications.

Typical Applications

• Wall framing

• Floor systems

• Tracks

• Support structures

• Light steel buildings

• Equipment frames

4. C Purlin Steel

C Purlins are frequently installed between primary steel frames to support roof sheets and wall cladding.

They provide:

• Lightweight construction

• High structural efficiency

• Easy bolted connections

• Convenient transportation

• Fast installation

5. Z Purlin Steel

Z Purlins are commonly selected for medium- and large-span roofing systems.

Their overlapping capability makes them suitable for continuous structural arrangements and efficient roof framing.

6. Custom Cold Formed Steel Profiles

Non-standard profiles can also be manufactured according to technical drawings.

Customization can include:

• Special cross-sections

• Customized dimensions

• Hole punching

• Slot punching

• Cut-to-length processing

• Different material thicknesses

• Different coating systems

Product Specifications

Common Material Options

Cold formed steel sections can be produced from different steel materials depending on project requirements.

Carbon Structural Steel

Suitable for general industrial and construction applications.

Typical options may include:

• Q235

• Q355

• Equivalent international structural grades

Galvanized Structural Steel

Galvanized steel provides additional protection against corrosion and is especially suitable for roof framing, wall framing and environments requiring improved durability.

Typical galvanized material can be selected according to:

• Required yield strength

• Zinc coating mass

• Environmental conditions

• Destination market standards

High Strength Steel

High-strength sheet steel can help achieve higher structural performance while maintaining relatively low component weight.

It is suitable for projects requiring:

• Higher load capacity

• Longer spans

• Reduced structural weight

• Efficient material utilization

Reference Standards

Depending on project requirements, materials and finished sections can be supplied or manufactured with reference to standards such as:

• ASTM specifications

• EN specifications

• JIS specifications

• GB specifications

• Project-specific technical requirements

Relevant specifications may include cold formed section, galvanized steel sheet and structural material standards depending on the selected product.

Final applicable standards should always be confirmed according to the project design documents.

Key Advantages

1. High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Cold formed steel sections provide excellent structural efficiency while maintaining relatively low component weight.

This can help reduce the overall dead load of the building.

2. Lightweight Construction

Compared with heavier structural members, C and Z sections are easier to:

• Transport

• Handle

• Position

• Install

This makes them particularly suitable for prefabricated and light steel buildings.

3. Excellent Dimensional Accuracy

Continuous roll forming enables consistent cross-sectional dimensions and stable production quality.

4. Efficient Material Utilization

Cold forming allows steel sheets and coils to be formed into structurally efficient shapes with relatively low material consumption.

5. Fast Installation

Pre-punched holes and standardized component lengths simplify bolted connections and on-site assembly.

6. Flexible Customization

Section size, thickness, length, hole pattern and surface treatment can be adjusted according to project requirements.

7. Corrosion Resistance

Galvanized cold formed sections provide improved protection against corrosion and can be used in a wide range of building environments.

8. Easy Connection

Cold formed sections can be connected with:

• Bolts

• Self-drilling screws

• Structural screws

• Connection plates

• Other engineered fastening systems

9. Suitable for Prefabricated Construction

Standardized production and lightweight components make cold formed sections ideal for modular and prefabricated building systems.

10. Cost-Effective Solution

Efficient steel usage, convenient transportation and fast installation can help optimize total project costs.

Application Fields

Cold Formed Steel Sections are widely used in:

• Steel Structure Warehouses

• Industrial Workshops

• Prefabricated Steel Buildings

• PEB Steel Buildings

• Agricultural Buildings

• Commercial Buildings

• Light Gauge Steel Structures

• Roof Systems

• Wall Systems

• Modular Buildings

• Solar Support Structures

• Equipment Frames

• Logistics Buildings

• Manufacturing Plants

• Secondary Steel Structures

Typical Application Scenarios

Steel Structure Warehouse

Cold formed C and Z sections are commonly used as:

• Roof purlins

• Wall girts

• Secondary framing

• Cladding supports

They help connect the primary steel frame with roofing and wall systems.

Industrial Workshop

For industrial workshops, cold formed sections can provide an economical secondary framing solution.

Typical components include:

• Roof purlins

• Wall girts

• Door framing

• Window framing

• Secondary supports

Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

Cold formed C and Z purlins are important components in PEB systems.

They work together with:

• Main steel frames

• Roof panels

• Wall panels

• Bracing systems

• Connection systems

to create an efficient complete building system.

Roofing Systems

Z purlins are particularly suitable for continuous roof systems because sections can overlap around supporting positions.

C purlins are also commonly used for shorter spans and simple framing layouts.

Wall Cladding Systems

Cold formed sections can act as wall girts to support:

• Corrugated steel sheets

• Sandwich panels

• Insulated metal panels

• Other wall cladding materials

Light Steel Buildings

Cold formed structural profiles are widely used for:

• Light industrial buildings

• Small warehouses

• Workshops

• Utility buildings

• Modular structures

Solar Steel Structures

Cold formed C and U sections can also be used in engineered photovoltaic support structures and related secondary framing systems.