Correct roof tile fixing is critical to roof safety, performance and compliance with UK standards. Yet misconceptions remain about when fixing is required and how much is enough. Jacob Hill, Head of Category for Roof & Renewables at wienerberger UK & Ireland, explains what BS 5534 requires and how site‑specific fixing specifications help ensure long‑term roof security.
Roof tile fixing has come under renewed scrutiny in recent years, not least due to the NHBC’s drive to improve roofing standards across the industry. Whether you’re working on a new build or carrying out a re‑roof or refurbishment project, correct fixing should always be a priority.
“One of the biggest issues we still see,” explains Jacob, “is the assumption that the weight of a tile alone is enough to keep it in place. Unfortunately, that simply isn’t true.”
With increasingly frequent storm events and extreme weather conditions, roof tiles are under greater stress than ever before. Inadequately fixed tiles can become dislodged, posing a serious risk to property – and, more importantly, to people below. Correct fixing also plays a vital role in protecting wind uplift roof tiles during storms and periods of high wind.
One persistent misconception is that manufacturers recommend additional fixings simply to sell more clips or accessories. In reality, fixing requirements are defined by British Standard BS 5534, which has been established for many years but was strengthened in its 2014 revision, introducing more stringent roof tile fixing requirements and informed by Eurocodes. In practice, BS 5534 roof tile fixing guidance ensures tiles are secured to withstand site‑specific wind loads and roof design constraints.
BS 5534 clearly states that:
“These roof tile fixing requirements aren’t manufacturer rules,” says Jacob. “They’re industry standards designed to ensure roofs remain secure throughout their service life.”
Understanding site‑specific fixing specifications is essential if you want to know how to fix roof tiles correctly on any project.
A site‑specific fixing specification takes into account a range of factors unique to each roof, including:
Using this information, the specification determines the exact fixings required to ensure the roof can withstand the wind loads it will experience over time.
The good news is that generating fixing specifications for roofs doesn’t need to be complex or time‑consuming. Installers using Sandtoft roof tiles can generate specifications quickly and free of charge using wienerberger’s online all4roof.co.uk tool.
Importantly, there is no universal fixing pattern that works for every roof.
“A large‑format concrete tile might only need a single nail in one situation,” Jacob explains, “but on a different site it could require two nails and a clip per tile. The only way to know is by using a site‑specific fixing calculation.”
Fixing specifications always represent the minimum standard. Installers are free to exceed them if they choose, and many do so for clarity and consistency across all roof zones. Using fixing specifications for roofs in this way provides confidence that installations meet roofing standards in the UK.
For re‑roofing contractors in particular, fixing specifications can also be a powerful commercial tool. Including a fixing specification alongside a quotation clearly demonstrates technical competence and professionalism, helping clients understand why different quotes may not always be directly comparable.
“It shows the customer you’ve thought about the roof as a system, not just the tiles themselves,” says Jacob, reinforcing a best‑practice approach to roof safety guidance.
At wienerberger, supporting correct roof tile fixing goes beyond guidance alone. The company recently launched its Sandtoft Multiclip range – three wire clips compatible across the full Sandtoft tile portfolio.
Designed for hammer‑free installation, Multiclips help installers meet fixing specifications efficiently while reducing labour time on site. Choosing the right roof tile clips and fixings also plays a key role in long‑term roof performance and compliance.
Fixing standards, calculations and terminology can feel daunting at first. That’s why wienerberger’s Technical Sales team is on hand to provide guidance and support – whether you need help interpreting fixing specifications or selecting the correct fixing solution for your project.
“Once you’re familiar with fixing specifications, generating them takes just minutes,” Jacob adds. “And the reassurance they provide – to you, your client and anyone using the building – is invaluable.”
Correct roof tile fixing isn’t optional, and it isn’t guesswork. By following BS 5534, using site‑specific fixing specifications and taking advantage of manufacturer tools and expertise, installers can deliver storm resilient roofing that is safe, compliant and built to last.
