Thread: Aluminium roof tiles..... safe to walk on ?

Yes, but as with all roofs of any material try to walk only on the batten lines ie: where the overlaps and fixings are.

I am assuming these are the aluminium tiles that were in lengths of about 1.2m and had a tar-like adhesive into which was pressed a granular material that gave protection and colouring.

The underlying roof structure for this was similar to that for a 'tin' roof of the same period ie: galvanised iron (orb) or colorbond/ zincalume, which was just coming into use - mid '70s.

There were a few different fixing methods some using clips systems and others using screws - some were just nailed. There were older aluminium roof tiles used in the '50s, but again the roofing substructure was pretty standard.

If you tread off the fixing line the worst is usually just a dent although sometimes if you are heavy footed and get the right spot it can lift up the flange at the overlap and that might allow water ingress (especially in storms where the rain can be coming at an angle). That is unusual though.

An unlucky step or a dropped object might also create a crease and a split, but again a thorough check to make sure that there is no breech and this can be repaired using roofing silicone that says it is suitable for aluminium & zincalume (ie: a 'neutral cure' as always or it can react with the aluminium).

You will probably dent them, no matter how hard you try not to, so try to climb up where the roof is least visible from the ground.

Thanks for the replies, I'm not heavy I'll give it a go.