Can You Walk on a Metal Roof?

Can you walk on a metal roof? Yes, if it’s installed directly on the roof deck and it’s dry. But it should be rare. Most homeowners never need to go up at all, and walking on a roof is never completely safe.

Why the way it’s installed matters

Every roof we install is fastened directly to the plywood deck, or over existing shingles, with 4-way interlocking panels and hidden fasteners. The bottom of each shingle is nailed to the deck, and the top locks into the next shingle, leaving a small pocket of air at each interlock. The panels are well supported, but some spots are firmer than others, and a step in the wrong place can dent a panel.

Roofs installed on strapping (wood strips, also called battens) are worse. Long open gaps run under the panels between the strips, and stepping between them can bend or dent the metal. It’s one of the reasons we never install on strapping. Here’s more on direct-to-deck vs strapping.

Knowing where to step

Our crews know where to step on each type of panel and where not to. That’s hard to know if you’ve never been on a metal roof. For Classic Aluminum roofs, homeowners can buy foam inserts that let you walk anywhere on the roof without worrying about where you step. Ask us about them.

When to stay off the roof

• It’s wet, or there’s dew, frost, ice or any snow on it. A wet metal roof is very slippery.
• The roof is steep enough that you can’t stand comfortably.
• You’d be working near the edge without fall protection.
• You’re going up to clear snow. If snow sliding off your roof is the problem, snow guards are the fix, not a shovel.

If you do need to go up

• Pick a dry, mild day.
• Wear soft, rubber-soled shoes.
• Step flat and don’t twist or drag your feet.
• Stay off flashings, trim pieces, vents and skylights.
• Never go up alone.

What about the warranty?

Damage from foot traffic, like a dent or bent trim, isn’t a manufacturing defect, so a product warranty won’t cover it. If you’re not sure, check your warranty papers or call us before you go up. Here’s how metal roof warranties work.

When to call instead

A loose piece of trim, flashing around a chimney, or anything that looks out of place after a storm is better left to a crew used to working on metal. If it’s one of our roofs, call us. If another company installed it, call them first so you don’t affect their warranty.