What is a tile clip?
A tile clip (also called a storm clip) is a metal clip that mechanically fixes a roof tile to the batten. Without a fixing, a tile is held only by its own weight and by its nib hooked over the batten. Under enough wind uplift that is not enough — and a tile leaving a roof is lethal.
Why tiles have to be fixed
Wind does not just push against a roof; above all it sucks at it. That uplift is strongest at the verges, eaves, ridge and hips. There the forces per square metre are a multiple of those in the middle of the roof slope. So perimeter zones are always fixed, and on steep or tall roofs the whole area often is.
In the UK, fixing of tiles and slates is covered by BS 5534, the code of practice for slating and tiling, which requires a wind uplift calculation for every roof rather than a rule of thumb. Wind loads themselves follow the Eurocode, BS EN 1991-1-4. The uplift resistance of a fixed tiling system is tested to BS EN 14437. If in doubt, ask for the test report for the exact tile-and-clip combination you are using; a clip tested with tile A tells you nothing about tile B.
Types
- Side clip (storm clip): hooks over the side interlock and is screwed or nailed into the batten. By far the most common.
- Head or tail clip: grips the lower edge of the tile; used with plain tiles and slates.
- Ridge and hip clip: dedicated fixings for dry-fixed ridge tiles.
- Screw through the tile: for tile types supplied with a pre-formed hole; always with a washer under the head.
Material: stainless steel is the norm. Galvanised steel corrodes too quickly on a roof expected to last 50 years — precisely where nobody will ever look again.
Practical points
- Choose the clip made for the specific tile model and batten size; universal clips rarely fit well.
- Fix into the batten, not the counter-batten or the sarking.
- Do not mix different metals on a roof — that causes galvanic corrosion.
- Check the perimeter zones after severe storms; one loose tile increases the load on its neighbours.
- When replacing a single tile, clip the replacement as well. This is routinely forgotten.
Related terms
- Roof tile
- Batten
- Counter-batten
- Wind uplift
- Verge tile
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.