It is always exciting to decorate a home with lights, but metal roofs have their own set of rules. So, whether you are looking to hang holiday lights, accent lighting or even year-round decorative strand lights, there is one thing of which you must be aware: how metal roof systems react and what options are available for an individual installation. A metal roof is durable, long-lasting and energy-efficient, but the wrong lighting can cause scratches or dents in addition to corrosion, resulting in a fixture that’s hanging down and poses a safety hazard.
If you would like to install lights on a standing-seam or metal roof, here’s what to know before you get started.
Metal Roof Expansion and Heat Release Energy. To help you through this, it is important to understand why metal roofs expand so much and let off so much heat.
Local Christmas light installers absorb heat from the sun and cool quickly. This is a small detail that you might want to ignore, but it does affect how well the lights stay on.
Why heat matters
Metal gets hotter than asphalt shingles, and low-grade clips or adhesive can be fried.
Poorly installed clips may shift or dislodge due to organ expansion.
Any plastic that isn’t rated for outdoor heat can warp or snap.
To prevent this, use clips and motions with a high-temperature rating. Do not rely on adhesives or tape, unless it is made for metal surfaces, as most will become less sticky when the roof gets hot.
Use Non-Abrasive Clip Styles Only
One of the greatest dangers of a metal roof is scratching its surface. Even the smallest scratch will compromise the protective layer and allow rust to form over time.
Safe clip options
Clips of vinyl or rubber-coated metal that won’t mar the paint.
Clips designed for standing-seam roofs to pinch onto the seam without piercing or scratching it.
Light wire holding plastic C-clips, not roofs.
What to avoid
Metal clips will scuff paint.
We don’t want to be fastening screw or nails right into the roof (warranties).
Zips wrapped on the seam till mark it with scuffing.
The roof is safe from scratches with non-abrasive clips that also hold the lights securely. Standing-Seam Roofs Have a Rulebook All Their Own
We have a lot of standing-seam roofs, and the seams are raised, so you’ve got some hooks to hold your lights. But they must be managed carefully.
Tips for standing-seam installation
Install clips specifically made for this roofing system.
Avoid clips that pinch too hard. Over-tightening can bend the panel.
Ensure the clip does not slip. Some less expensive clip styles will slide right off after you heat them.
One of the most secure methods when it comes to hanging lights on a metal roof is by attaching them around the standing seams, but only with the appropriate clip and pressure.
Magnets are an Option — but Only If You Have a Certain Type of roof, eastern style.
Many people believe that magnets work anywhere on metal roofs, but not always the case.” Some metal roofing products are magnetic (for example, steel); others are not (aluminium).
Before you use magnets, consider the type of material on your roof
Steel roof: Magnets work well.
Galvalume roof: Magnets usually hold aluminium or copper. There is not enough ferrous material for magnets to stick.
If your roof is magnetic, use rubber-coated magnetic hooks to avoid scratches. By nature, they’re a snap to remove and reposition, so they work well as a temporary choice.
Use strong magnets oonlyLandscape lighting needs magnets with, strong enough pull force, especially in windy places. Flimsy magnets can skid in the heat of a roof, and that means lights crashing.
Do Not Walk on the Roof Unless You Know What You Are Doing
Metal roofs, even dry ones, can be very slippery. Credit morning dew, or frost, and now they can turn hazardous. Another common occurrence is for homeowners to not understand how easy it is to slip.
Safety rules
Do not walk on a wet metal roof.
Wear soft rubber-tread shoes.
Walk on the flat parts, not the seams.
To help you is a second man on the ground.
Never ascend a steep pitch whenever possible. Use a ladder instead, and if it’s too high up or otherwise out of reach, consider hiring someone to fix it.
Certified Installers Use Specialised Equipment
A professional lighting installer will know precisely how to do the installation on a metal roof safely and without inflicting damage. They also have tools that most homeowners don’t have.
What certified installers bring
Commercial non-abrasive clips are made for longevity on metal surfaces.
Sturdy light strands built to withstand extreme outdoor weather conditions.
Rubber-footed ladders that won’t mar the gutters or roof edges.
Harnesses and tie-offs for steep or wet roofs to ensure better footing.
Magnetic mounting systems trialled in high wind zones.
Professionals are also familiar with roof coatings, protective layers and manufacturer warranties, so they know what not to disturb.
You’ll probably want to go with GoPro if you have a tall or steep, complicated roof, and for complex lighting designs.
Never drill or pierce into the metal panels.
Metal roof panels shall be kept tight against leaks and rust. Drilling can damage your door and cause long-lasting problems.
Risks of drilling
Voids the roof warranty.
It provides openings for water to get in.
Results in rust in the region of the screw.
Weakens the roof structure.
Choose a magnet, seam-mount or clip-on style and no more.
Confirm Wind Ratings and Weather Exposure
Light is more exposed: The lights are down on those metal roofs that perch atop the more sharply pitched homes. The weak clips, or light strands, can easily blow off.
How to protect your lighting
Use outdoor-rated light strands.
Space clips in tighter on windward edges.
Stay away from big decorations that pull on the clips.
Check the lighting on a weekly basis in season.
If your part of the world storms heavily, it might be more advisable to install them under the eaves rather than directly on the roof.
Avoid Letting It All Hang Out Before You Start Climbing Up
Proper planning avoids mistakes, gets you off the roof faster and protects workers.
Plan like a pro
Determine the roofline using measurements from the ground.
Test the lights before installation.
If you plan on a more defined look, map out where every section will begin and end.
Have all tools stored in one lightweight tool belt.
Preparing the scene in advance also means there is less need to climb up and down, which is when accidents are most likely.
Conclusion
Metal roofs are somewhat delicate, and this is relevant when you are decorating with lights. With the right clips, knowledge of your roof type and an avoidance of abrasive tools, you can keep causes for concern to a minimum and enjoy the light show. Because heat expansion, cold contraction, wind exposure and slippery surfaces may be special risk factors for metal roofs installed over shingle roofs, preparation is the key to a long-lasting roof.