Discovering the strength of purlins

By The Coffee Shops®. 

From withstanding harsh weather to holding heavy machinery loads, testing is vital to the discovery of a product's capability. 

In an episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with DJ Highnote and Dale Nelson of Roof Hugger to discuss the importance of purlin strengthening in metal roofing systems. 

Purlin strengthening is when horizontal metal roof beams are reinforced in order to increase the roof's load capacity. This is done through the introduction of sub-purlins, like those from Roof Hugger, which can add significant capacity to metal building roofs. DJ explained how, with more building owners wanting to add roof structures like solar panel systems, it was important to be able to properly calculate a roof's strength, and the strength purlins can add, particularly to retrofit jobs, in a structurally correct way. "We, in a way, enhanced the industry, creating a retrofit market that didn't exist prior to Roof Hugger," Dale added. 

Roof Hugger's retrofit sub-purlins are specifically designed to fit over the ribs of existing roof panels, notching perfectly as needed, adding the strength a system might need to withstand substantial loads - all while paying attention to the correct needs of a structure. Dale shared, “[Our work] was really revolutionary in a way, because not only were we structurally correct, but properties were correct for screw down panels, too." 

As things progressed and Roof Hugger continued to see the importance of testing and measuring the strength and capabilities of their materials, particularly being able to bring the receipts and model projects that show the work, calculations and data. DJ noted, "The credibility of being able to show the calculations and work has been amazing. Being able to strengthen the purlins and show it; that people can now [with our help] install solar on their roof."  

With a little bit of extra work to determine the exact calculations behind their products, a belief in the system they offer, Roof Hugger was able to bring about a new, revolutionary way of strengthening metal roofing systems for good. The right, tested product can mean the difference between one system withstanding harsh weather and heavy installations and another collapsing against the slightest challenge.  

Listen to the conversation or Watch the video to learn more about Roof Hugger's purlins.