Can You Walk On A Metal Roof?

Can you walk on a metal roof? Absolutely! But before you do, make sure to take the proper precautions in order to stay safe.

If you’re considering getting a new roof, you’ll be looking at getting a metal roof. They have many advantages, such as a long life span, excellent fire resistance, and more. But really, can you walk on a metal roof?

That’s going to be a drawback when you need to get up there and do repairs. However, you absolutely can walk on a metal roof. You can walk on any roofing type as long as you take the proper precautions. Here’s what you need to know. 

Can You Walk On A Metal Roof? Well, Safety First

The first thing to remember when walking on any roof is safety. You’re high up, and you don’t want to slip and fall. Falls are common from roofs. In fact, one-third of construction-related deaths are roof fall deaths. This isn’t to frighten you, but you now see just how important it is to be safe. 

If you’re getting ready to walk on a metal roof, you should comply with OSHA safety standards. These dictate that you must have fall safety gear on if you’re going to go up there. Many professionals use a personal fall arrest system, also known as a PFAS. This consists of a harness, lanyard, and anchor point. 

Safety equipment can also include safety railings, parapets, warning lines with safety monitors, and more. This is why it’s usually best to leave extensive repair work to the professionals. They’ll have this safety equipment ready to use, so everyone involved is safe. 

Choose The Right Footwear

This is the first “step” in answering your question of can you walk on a metal roof. If you’re going to go up on your metal roof, you’ll need to choose the proper footwear for the job. On any roof, you should have soft-soled shoes. These are less likely to cause damage to the integrity of the look of the roof itself. 

You’ll also need a shoe with some grip on it. A metal roof is more slippery than other roofing materials, and that does create a safety hazard. Any good rubber-soled shoe should work. The best result is to feel as though the soles are slightly sticking to the metal. 

Which shoes should you choose? Many roofers prefer basketball shoes, like Converse, skate shoes or tennis shoes. These give you the grip you need, with a flat sole. 

Also, ensure that the soles of your shoes are clean. If there’s anything stuck in the ridges, such as gravel, that will affect the grip they have on the roof. Plus, that debris can scratch the finish on a metal roof. 

Wait For Good Weather

In most cases with roofing, it’s always better to wait for good weather. This is especially true when it comes to safety when walking on a roof. If it’s wet and rainy, then that metal roof is going to be slippery and dangerous. Even if you’re hiring professionals to work on the roof, you’ll see they’ll reschedule if you’re going to get bad weather. 

In some cases, you won’t be able to wait for good weather. For example, if a leak needs to be fixed, it needs to be dealt with right away. In these cases, professionals will use safety equipment, such as safety harnesses and a PFAS, to get the job done. 

Walking On Different Metal Roof Types

There are a few different types of metal roofs, and they all have their own needs. It’s important to know which one you have, as each one will require you to walk on it differently. Keep the following in mind:

Standing Seam Roof: 

You can walk pretty much anywhere you like on this roofing type without damaging it. Of course, you’ll still need to take the appropriate safety precautions when you do so. 

Metal Tile Roofing: 

This is roofing that is made to resemble tiles and shakes. On this type of roofing, you need to walk on the lower spots closer to the roof decking. 

Corrugated Panels: 

These are safe to walk on, as this roofing style is screwed directly onto the roof decking. When walking on them, though, it’s usually best to stick to the lower parts. 

Metal Shingles: 

It’s usually better to walk on the upper half of the shingles, where there’s little air space between the metal. If you think you’ll be walking on the metal a lot, then you can install foam backers on the shingles to help them take repeated foot traffic. 

In general, it’s always a good idea to walk on areas closest to the decking. Avoid any laps and ribs to avoid causing damage to your roof. Wear soft-soled shoes as mentioned above, and if you feel any debris underfoot, ensure you don’t grind it in. This will cause damage to the metal panel. 

Calling On The Professionals

Many homeowners aren’t worried about getting up on their roof to replace a missing shingle or other similar jobs. When it comes to more involved work, though, it’s usually best to find a trusted roofer near you. They will be highly trained and have the knowledge needed to stay safe on the roof. 

As well as this, they’ll have safety equipment, too. As a homeowner, you’re not likely to have safety supports on hand when you’re on your roof, so it’s usually better to call roofers to handle the work. 

As they’re professionals, too, you’ll get professional-level work done to your roof. They have the skills to spot the issue and make it right, so you will have them work on it in confidence. In many cases, it’s usually best to find a good roofer and let them handle it. 

While some people will tell you you can’t walk on a metal roof, that isn’t true. If you use the proper footwear and safety equipment, you can answer the question for yourself of can you walk on a metal roof. If you take reasonable precautions, you can walk on your roof whenever you need to.