Substructure fix

Solar Mounting for Tiled, Slate and Substructure-Fixed Roofs

Connect solar mounting rails to the supporting roof structure with the appropriate hooks, hanger bolts and brackets. Lumax supplies substructure-fixed mounting components for standard tiled roofs, Harvey tiles, shingles, slate and relevant metal-roof applications to EPCs, installers and distributors.

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How it works

How Substructure Fixing Works

Substructure fixing carries the mounting connection through to the underlying roof structure. A roof hook provides a connection around the relevant tile detail, while a hanger bolt connects through the covering into the supporting material. An L-bracket links an appropriate fixing or hook to the mounting rail.

These components perform different jobs and are selected as a complete arrangement. A hook for one roof covering should not be substituted for another solely because both roofs are described as tiled.

Module on top
Rail on the hook
Hook passes between tile courses
Hook fixed to the rafter, beside a batten

Schematic only, not to scale. Hook shape varies by roof covering.

Roof coverings

Compare Roof Coverings

The roof covering and the structure beneath it both matter. Identify the roof type and whether the fixing connects to steel or timber before selecting the attachment components. Substructure-fixed arrangements are normally laid out in portrait.

Substructure-fixed mounting routes by roof covering
Roof covering	Connection	Rail	Layout	Standard kit	Technical Data Sheet coverage
Standard tile	Roof hooks fixed to the raftersGalvanised or stainless steel	Top-and-side-fixing rail	Normally portrait	YesPortrait kits	Component sheets only
Harvey tile	Dedicated Harvey tile hookWith an L-bracket	Top-and-side-fixing rail	Normally portrait	No	No complete-arrangement sheet
Shingle	Dedicated shingle fixing	Top-and-side-fixing rail	Normally portrait	No	No complete-arrangement sheet
Slate	Timber hanger boltWith an L-bracket	Top-and-side-fixing rail	Normally portrait	No	Component sheets only
Metal roof to steel or timber	Hanger bolt for steel or timberWith an L-bracket or corrugated bracket	Top-and-side-fixing rail	Normally portrait	No	Component sheets only

AvailableNot offeredConfirm with Lumax

Roof coverings

Routes by Roof Covering

Solar roof hooks and rail on a standard tiled roof — Roof hooks on a standard tiled roof

Standard Tiled Roofs

Standard tile mounting uses roof hooks fixed to the rafters beneath the tiles, carrying a top-and-side-fixing rail. The locally manufactured hooks are available in hot-dip galvanised steel or stainless steel.

Slotted backplates allow the hook to be fixed on top of the rafter or beside it. Hooks can be supplied with stainless-steel wood screws or as hook only. Standard tile arrangements are normally laid out in portrait, and the standard tile kits use portrait layouts.

Roof hooks to rafters
Galvanised or stainless steel
Normally portrait
Standard tile kits

Data sheets for roof hooks and hanger bolts

Harvey Tile

Harvey tile mounting uses a dedicated Harvey tile hook, an L-bracket and the top-and-side-fixing rail. This is a separate attachment route from the standard tile kit.

A dedicated Lumax Technical Data Sheet is not available for the complete Harvey tile arrangement; contact Lumax about the available component information.

Dedicated Harvey tile hook
Normally portrait
Standard tile kits exclude Harvey tile

Shingle Roofs

Shingle mounting uses the dedicated shingle fixing with the top-and-side-fixing rail. Select this roof-specific connection and confirm the shingle detail and weatherproofing for the installation.

Dedicated shingle fixing
Normally portrait
No standard kit

Solar panels mounted on a slate roof — Slate roof

Slate Roofs

The slate route uses a timber hanger bolt and an L-bracket. The actual supporting structure and the detail through the slate must be checked for the installation.

Confirm the slate fixing and weatherproofing detail for the installation. The hanger-bolt and bracket sheets are component information only.

Timber hanger bolt
Normally portrait
No standard kit

Data sheets for hanger bolts and brackets

Stainless-steel hanger bolt for a substructure connection — Hanger bolt

Metal Roofs Fixed to the Substructure

Hanger-bolt options are available for steel and timber supports, with corresponding bracket connections. The stainless-steel hanger bolts use a rubber grommet at the roof penetration.

Corrugated-profile brackets provide further documented substructure connections and can make use of the existing sheet-fixing positions. This route differs from a component that relies on fastening to the roof sheet itself.

Hanger bolt for steel supports
Hanger bolt for timber supports
Corrugated brackets
Normally portrait

Data sheets for roof hooks and hanger bolts

Standard kits

Standard Tile Kits

For larger or different requirements, send a layout or material list for component supply. Module dimensions and permitted clamping positions must suit the rail arrangement.

Standard tile portrait kit

Standard tile kits cover one horizontal row of three, four or five portrait panels, with mid and end clamps included. As supplied, they suit 35 mm frames. For 30 mm frames, Lumax can supply an alternative mid clamp in place of the one in the kit.

Layout: One row of three, four or five portrait panels
Frames: 35 mm as supplied; 30 mm with an alternative mid clamp
Roof hooks: Galvanised or stainless steel
Rails: Supplied separately
Excludes: Harvey tile

PDFStandard tile portrait kit brochure (opens in a new tab)

The roof connection

Steel, Timber and the Roof Connection

Steel and timber require different fasteners. The EPC must establish the supporting material, its condition and capacity, and suitable connection positions. The roof covering alone does not identify the structural fixing.

Coordinate hooks and penetrations with the roof covering and waterproofing requirements. Follow the applicable Technical Data Sheets, fastener instructions and roof supplier’s requirements. Roof-warranty acceptance and structural sign-off remain project responsibilities.

At exposed and coastal sites, select hook and aluminium finishes for the application. Site location helps with exposure and finish selection. Rails are mill finish as standard, with anodising available on request.

Technical information

Technical Information

Use the applicable component and system Technical Data Sheets for product specifications and application information. Dedicated Lumax Technical Data Sheets are not available for complete Harvey tile, shingle or slate arrangements. Contact Lumax about the available component information and selection guidance, and follow the module manufacturer’s clamping and bonding requirements.

Questions

Substructure Mounting Questions

Can I use a standard tile kit on Harvey tiles?

No. Harvey tile uses a dedicated hook and bracket arrangement. Standard tile kits exclude Harvey tile.

Does the standard tile kit suit 30 mm module frames?

Not as supplied. The standard tile kits are supplied for 35 mm frames. For 30 mm frames, Lumax can supply an alternative mid clamp in place of the one in the kit. Mention your frame thickness when you request a quotation.

Are rails included in the standard tile kit?

No. Rails are supplied separately. Include the required rail arrangement when sending your material requirement for quotation.

Should roof hooks be fixed to the battens?

No. Lumax does not recommend fixing roof hooks to the battens. Fix them to the rafters. The EPC must confirm the supporting material, its condition and suitable connection positions.

Is substructure fixing only for tiled roofs?

No. It also covers the documented Harvey tile, shingle, slate and metal-roof connections to the supporting structure.

Can the same hanger bolt be used in steel and timber?

Do not assume so. The documented steel and timber hanger bolts are different components. Select the fixing for the actual supporting material and installation requirements.

Other roofs

Explore Other Roof Mounting Options

Rooftop solutionsAll rooftop mounting solutions Concealed fixKlip-Lok and concealed-fix roof mounting Pierced fixIBR, trapezoidal and corrugated roof mounting Concrete roofsFlat concrete roof mounting

Information for Your Enquiry

Roof covering
Supporting material, if known
Panel dimensions and layout
Module data sheet, for the permitted clamping zones
Quantities or your existing material list
For tile kits: panel count, hook finish and rails

Not sure of the roof detail? Tell us what you know and we will help you select the components.

Request a quotation