What is Safe to Attach to a Shingle Roof?

From satellite dishes to security cameras there are many home accessories that you may want to attach to the roof of your home. It is always a good idea to consult with your local roofing contractors before nailing anything into your roof. You can increase the risk of roof leaks if you try and attach something without professional guidance. The makers of these home accessories may not fully understand roofing materials and not warn against the attachment. We will help you better understand the do’s and don’ts of common items that you might be thinking about attaching to your roof, and also where these items should really be hung.

Can I nail into my roof?   

The whole point to a quality roofing system is designed to keep water out of your home. There are many components of a quality roofing system which include an underlayment, ice and water protection, shingles and flashing. Together all of these layers put down by your local roofing contractor, forces water into your gutters and away from your home. Driving even just a single nail into your roof can compromise the entire roofing system. That single nail will penetrate through the shingles, to the underlayment creating a hole in your roof. The next time it rains water can enter that small hole and bypass each layer laid down by your roofing contractor, and trickle down into your attic. All from just a single nail you may have yourself a small leak, and even small leaks can cause major issues for your home. 

Your certified roofing contractor uses plenty of nails while installing your new roofing system, but this is done in a specific way so that each nail is covered by the shingle above it. Each shingle needs to lay flat against your roof in order to work properly, even a nail not driven all the way through can cause problems. The nail will prop the shingle up slightly letting in more than enough water to cause a leak, if your roofing contractor adds another nail beneath the shingle it will lay flat. 

Common home accessories

Can I attach an antenna to my roof?

We always suggest that you consult your local roofing contractor to attach anything to your roof, even a small antenna. In order to properly mount an antenna to your roof without damaging it the antenna needs to be attached to the gable, the fascia, or chimney. A non penetrating mount can also be used that manipulates the use of weights rather than screws to be held in place. There are many options available to  mount your antenna that does not require being nailed or screwed into your roof. A free standing antenna in your backyard, or a bracket that attaches to another part of your roofing system is a better choice. Always check with your roofing contractor if the bracket provided is appropriate for its use and your roofing system.

Can I mount a security camera on my roof? 

Most home security cameras are not attached directly to the roof and manufacturers do not recommend it. Although most surveillance cameras are weatherproof, snow and high winds can decrease their lifespan. If your security camera was sitting on top of your roof and 5 inches of snow came, it would be buried and no help to you. Inclement weather will also distort its view or leave water droplets on the lens making its image blurry. 

Manufacturers suggest mounting your surveillance camera to the soffit of your quality roofing system. The soffit is located directly underneath the roof’s eave. Although the soffit is constructed from wood, the bottom layer is usually aluminum or vinyl which has vents to allow your attic to breathe. To properly secure the security camera to the base of the soffit it must be fastened through the vinyl/aluminum and onto the wooden truss. The vinyl or aluminum is not strong enough to hold the camera and it may fall out over time.

Can I attach flower baskets to my roof? 

While flower baskets are beautiful and add to your homes curb appeal, you should never attach flower baskets to your roof or soffit. You may see some flower baskets hanging by a chain from the soffit of a home, this is not wise unless the chain is connected to a structural component of your quality roofing system. Your roofing contractor can properly attach your baskets to the chain without causing damage. The vinyl or aluminum part of the soffit of your roof can not handle the weight that comes with hanging a flower basket. It is important to remember that each time you add water to your flowers its weight increases. Special brackets are available that are placed in different areas of your home like on porch railings, fence posts or the sides of walls that are durable like brick. 

Can I attach a pergola to my shingle roof?

You might be interested in adding a backyard structure that attaches to your roof such as a pergola, it is more complicated than you may think. Before attaching anything to your roof, always consult with your trusted local roofing contractor first. Like we explained previously, nailing into shingles can cause damage or leaks. There are other options available to you like a free standing pergola or structure that is close enough to your home, without having to drill or nail into your roof. 

Can I attach solar panels to my roof?

Solar panels can be installed to your shingle roof only by a trained roofing contractor or solar specialist. It is important to note that if you chose to install solar panels yourself and leaks were caused by its anchor points, this will not be covered by your shingle limited warranty. 

Can I attach Christmas Decorations?

There is nothing more magical than driving around your neighborhood around Christmas time and seeing all the beautiful light and decorations. If you are eager to contribute to the Christmas spirit it is important to know the appropriate way to hang your decorations. We advise that you do not attempt to hang any decorations when there is ice or snow visible or wet weather conditions. It is imperative to follow safety guidelines when walking on your roof to avoid the risk of damaging the shingles. If you choose to add large decorations to your roof it is best to consult with your roofing consultant on how to do so.  Special clips are made so that no screws or nails are necessary to hang lights from your roof.