Rope lights on Tin / Colorbond Roof

Bullswool

New elf
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
2
Location
Gold Coast
Hi,

I was hoping somebody to post the definitive method for attaching standard rope lights (arlec from bunnings) to a normal Australian colorbond roof. It's a 13 month old house.

  • I have read to loosen screws and attach to the screw with home made wire clip/loop. Anyone had leeky roof? Plus I'm not sure about doing this on my brand new house.
  • Also, I was recommended hot glue gun or sealent to glue the rope down. Anyone had trouble removing and then re-using the ropes the next year?
  • I have looked for clips online but they just don't seem adequate for a clorbond roof
I'd really love to here from first hand user. Thanks heaps! :)


Bulls
 

i13

Dedicated elf
Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
1,172
No ropelights here but I use string to tie the lights to the screws without loosening them. They fall off easily if bumped but it all stays in place once I'm down off the roof. Pictures are here https://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,7954.0.html

I'd expect that hot glue would melt up there.
 

Bullswool

New elf
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
2
Location
Gold Coast
Thanks Gents. I'll look into the string on screw setup.
From memory the roof screws have a rubber grommet or seal under the head of the screw. I should be able to wedge the string under the rubber.
 

JPB

Full time elf
Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
352
Location
Glenwood
Magnets and cable ties.
If you can find some old hard drives you can get very strong magnets out of them.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 

Goliath

Full time elf
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
166
Location
Gracemere
One of the generic light clips has a round hole that pushes over the top of roof screws. Not exactly solid, put possibly "good enough".

She'll be right mate! :)
 

uppitt

Apprentice elf
Joined
Dec 21, 2010
Messages
63
maybe a small dab of some clear silicone, else the cable tie stick on mounts might be best and easiest to remove from the roof after.
 

drakky

Senior elf
Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
515
I used the cable tie mount but not with the double sided tape , I silicone it , the rope light has been up there for nearly 3 years with atrocious weather and no problems
 

Jamie

Lighting up the night.
Joined
Dec 16, 2010
Messages
399
Location
Warwick
Ive found a secure and easy method to be 1/2 conduit saddles (size dependant on your rope light) from electrical supplies stores. Unscrew roofing screw and place on the saddle. You can paint them the same as your roof colour. Then come lights time, loosen slightly , slide in rope ligt and tighten down. Very secure, straight as a die and easy as.
 

Benny27

New elf
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Messages
21
Location
Narellan
I use 3M picture frame hooks from bunnings and cable tie rope light to the hooks. I found the tape that comes with the hooks gets brittle in the heat so I use a 3M double sided tape works great for colorbond roof, fences and window frames.
 

ChristmasInKaralee

Senior elf
Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
620
Location
Karalee
I was thinking of using an Eye Terminal connector under the screw and can then stay up all year, then another connector to plug in which is connected to the lights so it can easily be removed and added, yet will not come out from wind etc.

upload_2017-6-18_21-22-19.png
 

fasteddy

I have C.L.A.P
Global moderator
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Apr 26, 2010
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6,648
Location
Albion Park NSW
I used the cable tie mount but not with the double sided tape , I silicone it , the rope light has been up there for nearly 3 years with atrocious weather and no problems
This what I do as well, works great for ceramic tiles as well as long as you clean the built up gunk so you get a clean surface to mount on.
 

richardd

Full time elf
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
347
Location
Geraldton
Not a metal roof, I have a brick wall that I simple hot glue glitter clips to the top of the wall and than attach my lights to the clips. They only last one season due to the UV but by Nov next year I can easily scrape them off the top of the wall and put new clips up with the hot glue
 

Owen

New elf
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
4
Location
Springfield Lakes
I put lights on my colourbond roof line as well as traversing sides last year using 3M clips on double-sided tape. I was doubtful they would remain in place with Brisbane heat from November, but probably 90% held well through Christmas.

After delaying taking them down all year, I checked the other day and about 50% remain effective, but too brittle from the sun to open and close the clip without breaking. The lights still work, but the plastic is sun damaged/faded.

So for about $20, I bought another 48 clips to replace and have done the same this year. The only change is that I used some suger soap cleaning wipes first to clean the dust from the roof, which I think might have caused some to unstick.
 
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