Heat Cable Roof Clip Index for Every Roof Type

Selecting the proper heat cable clips is crucial for a quick, safe installation that won’t harm your roof. The right clip system allows you to attach de-icing cables without puncturing or damaging the roofing material, which protects your roof’s integrity and warranty. Using purpose-built clips also ensures the cable stays securely in place and at the correct position for effective ice dam prevention.

If you have a roof, we have a way to install heat cable on it quickly and safely. You can use this guide to choose the right heat cable roof clip for your application. There’s more than one way to skin a cat and there is likewise usually more than one way to install heat cable on any particular roof system. If you don’t see the solution for your heat cable project below, there’s a good chance we can help you figure something out. Just give us a call!

Why Does the Right Clip Matter for Heat Cable Installation?

Using the correct hardware keeps your roof safe, your heat cable secure, and your de-icing system working properly for years to come. Our patented Grip Clip fasteners can be installed in seconds with no tools, using a toothy clamp design that bites onto shingles without nails or screws—avoiding holes that could leak.

Many modern clips feature designs to prevent cable damage as well. For instance, the S-5™ standing seam clip has a curved cradle that stops sharp metal edges from cutting into the heat cable and compromising the system’s performance or warranty.

Heat Cable Clips by Roof Type

Below is a detailed guide to the recommended heat cable clips for each roof type, including installation methods and key features.

Standing Seam Roof Clips

Standing seam metal roofs require specialized clips or clamps that attach to the vertical seams without penetrating the metal panels. Here are your best options:

S-5® Standing Seam System (SR-S5 + SS Clamp)

The S-5® clamp system is considered the ultimate solution for standing seams. An S-5 aluminum clamp grips the standing seam, and a matching S-5-SR heat cable clip bolts onto it. This method firmly holds cables without any adhesive or roof screws, preserving the metal roof and its warranty. The S-5-SR clips can be mounted on the clamps ahead of time and adjusted easily, making installation up to 3× faster than other methods.

GVG Standing Seam Saddle Clips (GVG-325, GVG-50, GVG-625)

The GVG series are one-piece aluminum clips that straddle the standing seam profile. They come in different sizes to fit common seam widths:

• GVG-325: ~3/8″ seam thickness
• GVG-50: ~1/2″ seam thickness
• GVG-625: ~5/8″ seam thickness

These clips can be attached by driving the provided self-tapping screws through the clip into the metal seam (ideally placed over a butyl pad for waterproofing), or by gluing the clip on with industrial roofing adhesive. When installed with the optional 3″×3″ butyl pad (MKS-1022-2) under the base, a screwed-on GVG clip creates a watertight, secure connection. The GVG saddle clips provide a cost-effective alternative to pricey clamp systems.

DDK Oversized Heat Tape Clips (DDK-719-2)

This large glue-down clip (3″×3″ base) with a double cradle can be adhered adjacent to standing seams. The DDK series clips have 200% more surface area than old-style clips, yielding extremely high bond strength for adhesive installations. By using a compatible roofing adhesive (like SB-190) to glue the DDK-719-2 near a seam, you can secure heat cables without any clamps or screws.

LEO Sticky Clips (LEO-215-2)

The “StickyClip” is a self-adhesive heat cable clip designed for smooth surfaces. This larger size (1.75″×3.25″ pad) has a peel-and-stick backing that can mount directly onto metal roofing, including standing seam panels. It requires no fasteners at all—you simply prime/clean the surface and stick it on. StickyClips work on membrane, glass, and metal surfaces and can be later removed without leaving holes or damage.

Batten Seam Roof Clips

Batten seam roofs have extra-wide (often 1″–2″) seam caps or battens covering the seams. Their thick, rounded profile makes it difficult or impossible to use standard S-5 clamps. For these roofs, adhesive-mounted clips are the preferred solution:

DDK “Jumbo” Oversized Clips (DDK-719-2 and DDK-719-1)

We specifically recommend the large DDK adhesive clips for batten seams. The DDK-719 series (double or single cradle) can be glued directly onto the metal surface next to the batten using SB-190 or a similar roofing adhesive. Because batten seams are larger and may experience more force (snow/ice sliding against the batten), the DDK’s extra-large 3″ base provides the necessary grip area for a strong bond.

LEO Sticky Clips (LEO-215-2)

The self-adhesive StickyClip is another option for batten seam roofs, especially if the metal surface around the batten is relatively flat and smooth. These clips can stick onto the metal panels without any mechanical fasteners. StickyClips can serve as supplemental supports or on sections where a large clip won’t fit.

Corrugated and R-Panel Roof Clips

Corrugated metal roofs and R-panel (trapezoidal rib) roofs have exposed-fastener profiles with ridges and valleys. The primary solution for these roofs is a clip designed to fit the shape of the panels and screw down securely:

JS-222 Corrugated Roof Clips

The JS-222 is a metal clip specifically engineered for corrugated and trapezoidal panel roofs. Its base is contoured to match the standard waves/ribs of these panels, allowing it to sit flush on the peaks of a corrugated sheet or the flats of an R-panel. Each JS-222 clip has pre-drilled holes so you can fasten it with self-tapping screws into the metal.

Importantly, the kit comes with butyl rubber sealing pads (MKS-1022-1) that go beneath the clip at each screw location. When you screw the clip down, the soft butyl pad squishes and seals the hole, creating a watertight gasket around the screws. This prevents any water from leaking through the roof at the attachment points.

Each JS-222 clip can hold one or two runs of heat cable and is typically installed on the high points of the corrugation or rib, usually about every 2–3 feet.

Flat Seam and Flat Roof Clips

Flat roofs or flat-seam metal roofs (including low-slope membrane roofs) require clip solutions that do not penetrate the roofing membrane. In these scenarios, adhesive-based clips and pads are the go-to choice:

DDK Oversized Glue-On Clips (DDK-719-1 and DDK-719-2)

The DDK series single- or double-cradle clips are ideal for flat roof applications because of their large adhesion surface and superior holding power. These 3″ square clips can be glued directly to flat roofing materials like rubber (EPDM), TPO, PVC membranes, or flat metal panels. They provide a very strong bond when used with a compatible adhesive (such as SureBond SB-190).

On a flat roof, you would typically glue these clips at intervals along the cable path: for example, around drains, along edges, or in a pattern to cover a larger area of the membrane. Thanks to their oversized footprint, DDK clips can resist uplift and tension even on smooth surfaces—they have about twice the adhesive holding strength of smaller clips.

LEO “StickyClip” Adhesive Clip (LEO-215-2)

The StickyClip is another flat-roof-friendly solution. It is essentially a self-adhesive pad with an attached cable cradle, which can be pressed onto clean flat roofing material to hold a heat cable. This clip was designed for smooth surfaces like single-ply membranes, flat metal, skylights, etc., where you don’t want to use screws or can’t use clamps.

On a membrane roof (EPDM, TPO), you can peel the backing and stick the LEO-215-2 clip wherever needed—commonly along the perimeter or around drains and scuppers. Because the adhesive is industrial-grade, it bonds well to both porous and non-porous surfaces and can withstand wide temperature swings.

Asphalt Shingle Roof Clips

Asphalt shingle roofs are the most common roof type, and fortunately they offer many clip options for heat cable. These include tool-free clips, nail-on clips, adhesive mounts, and hybrid designs:

Grip Clips (GPA-325, GPA-625, GPA-875)

The Grip Clip is our patented, non-nail clip that slides under asphalt shingles and bites onto them to hold heat cables. It comes in three sizes:

• GPA-325: Fits typical shingles 1/8″–3/8″ thick
• GPA-625: Fits thicker materials (~1/2″)
• GPA-875: For up to ~7/8″ (used mostly for wood/synthetic shakes)

For an asphalt roof, Grip Clip .325 is usually the right choice, as it’s designed for standard 3-tab and architectural shingles. These clips require no tools or fasteners—you simply loosen the shingle tab and insert the clip, which grabs the shingle with its toothed aluminum arms. Grip Clips can be positioned in seconds and repositioned easily, making installation 10× faster than using nails.

Because they don’t puncture the roof, they won’t void the shingle warranty or cause leaks. Despite the lack of nails, Grip Clips hold extremely well (each clip can resist at least 25 lbs of pull force) by pinching the shingle without damage.

Multi-Purpose Clips (MPC-325)

The MPC-325 is a versatile clip that uses the same body as a Grip Clip but adds a slotted loop for a UV-resistant zip tie. This design allows you to secure a heat cable in virtually any orientation—even in tricky spots where a regular clip might not align perfectly.

On asphalt roofs, the Multi-Purpose Clip can be useful for areas like valleys, steep pitches, or intersections with gutters/flashings. You can slide it under a shingle like a Grip Clip, then use the provided zip tie to cinch the cable at whatever angle or position you need.

Nail-On Clips (IDP-113)

The traditional method for asphalt roofs is using nail-on roof clips, such as our IDP-113 anodized aluminum clip. These clips have a small flat base with holes and a loop to hold the cable. They are fastened by driving a roofing nail or screw through the shingle and clip into the roof decking.

Each clip does create a penetration in the shingle, so it’s critical to seal every nail or screw with roofing sealant or a butyl pad to prevent leaks. We recommend placing an MKS-1022-1 butyl pad under the IDP-113 clip before nailing, as the pad will self-seal around the nail and provide a waterproof cushion.

When installed and sealed correctly, nail-on clips hold cables very securely and last for decades, since they are made of non-rusting aluminum.

Adhesive Jumbo Clips (DDK-719 series)

Another option for asphalt roofs is to use the DDK-719-1 or DDK-719-2 glue-down clips instead of nailing. These oversized clips can adhere to many surfaces—including the granular surface of shingles—using a roof-rated adhesive. The rough texture of asphalt shingles is actually a good surface for SB-190 or similar adhesive to grab onto.

This method is particularly useful on low-slope shingle roofs or sections where nails might risk a leak. It’s also used when retrofitting cables on an older roof where you prefer not to disturb the shingles with nails.

Cedar, Slate, and Synthetic Roof Clips

Cedar, slate, and many synthetic composite roofs are considered delicate roofing materials, so extra care must be taken when installing heat cables. You generally want to avoid nailing into these materials. Instead, the strategy is to use clips that attach without direct penetration of the shingle/tile:

Cedar & Synthetic Roofs

For cedar shake roofs and synthetic slate/shake roofs, the best options are Grip Clips sized for thicker material:

• Grip Clip .625 and .875 (GPA-625 and GPA-875): Made for material up to 5/8″ and 7/8″ thick, respectively. Cedar shakes and many synthetic shingles are much thicker than asphalt shingles, so the standard Grip Clip 325 would be too small. These work exactly like the smaller Grip Clip, using a clamp action under the shake, thus no nails are needed and the clips will not damage the wood or synthetic shingle.
  
• Copper Slate & Cedar Clip (IDP-100): This thin copper bracket slides under a shake/shingle and hooks onto an existing roofing nail or screw (or the battens beneath). Essentially, it grabs onto the roof structure without requiring a new nail through the top of the shingle. Copper is used because it’s soft enough to shape and won’t corrode; it’s gentle on old cedar shakes and bends to hook onto whatever fastener is available underneath.
  

Slate Roofs

Natural slate roofs are very fragile and typically one should never nail or screw through a slate tile. The recommended clips are:

• IDP-100 Copper Clip: Extremely useful on slate—it’s designed to slide under a slate piece and hook onto the existing slate nails or hang on the lip of the slate. Traditional slate roofs have each tile hung on nails; these copper clips catch those nails (or the flange of the slate) to hold a cable without any new holes.
  
• DDK Adhesive Clips: In areas where a clip can’t be hooked (or additional support is needed), the DDK adhesive clips can be utilized. Adhesives like SB-190 are formulated to bond well even to porous, uneven surfaces like slate. An installer might glue a DDK-719-2 clip to a section of slate (typically higher up, or on flatter stone surfaces near ridges or valleys) to secure cables where the hook clips might not reach or hold orientation.
  

Heat Cable Clip Comparison Table

Roof Type	Primary Clip Options	Installation Method	Key Benefits
Standing Seam	SR-S5, GVG Series, DDK-719	Clamp or adhesive	Zero roof penetration, fastest install
Batten Seam	DDK-719, LEO-215	Adhesive only	Large grip area, no damage to battens
Corrugated/R-Panel	JS-222	Screw-down with butyl seal	Contoured fit, watertight seal
Flat Roof/Membrane	DDK-719, LEO-215	Adhesive only	Preserves membrane integrity
Asphalt Shingle	GPA-325, MPC-325, IDP-113	Tool-free or nail-on	Multiple options, fastest with Grip Clips
Cedar/Synthetic	GPA-625/875, IDP-100	Tool-free or hook	No penetration, safe for delicate materials
Slate	IDP-100, DDK-719	Hook or adhesive	Protects fragile tiles, no drilling

Complete Heat Cable Clip Part Number Index

For quick reference, here is the complete list of heat cable clip part numbers:

1. GPA-325 – Grip Clip for ~⅜″ thick roofing (standard asphalt shingles)
2. GPA-625 – Grip Clip for ~⅝″ thick material (thicker shingles, shakes)
3. GPA-875 – Grip Clip for ~⅞″ thick material (cedar, synthetic shakes)
4. MPC-325 – Multi-Purpose Clip (Grip Clip with zip-tie loop)
5. IDP-113 – Nail-On Roof Clip (standard aluminum clip, black)
6. IDP-100 – Copper Slate & Cedar Clip (hooks under slates/shakes)
7. JS-222 – Corrugated/R-Panel Metal Roof Clip (with butyl pads)
8. DDK-719-1 – Jumbo Single-Cradle Glue-Down Clip (3″ base)
9. DDK-719-2 – Jumbo Double-Cradle Glue-Down Clip (3″ base)
10. GVG-325 – Standing Seam Saddle Clip, ~3/8″ seam size
11. GVG-50 – Standing Seam Saddle Clip, ~1/2″ seam size
12. GVG-625 – Standing Seam Saddle Clip, ~5/8″ seam size
13. LEO-215-2 – StickyClip Adhesive Pad (large, 1.75″×3.25″)
14. MKS-1022-1 – Butyl Sealing Pad, 1.5″×2″ (for small clips)
15. MKS-1022-2 – Butyl Sealing Pad, 3″×3″ (for large clips)
16. SR-S5 – S-5-SR Standing Seam Heat Tape Clip (for S-5 clamp system)
17. SS Clamp – S-5-S Standing Seam Clamp (base clamp for S-5 clips)

What if My Roof Type Isn’t Listed?

If you haven’t seen your specific roof type mentioned (or you have a unique roofing system), don’t worry—there is likely a heat cable attachment solution available. We’ve developed an ecosystem of clips and mounts to work with virtually any roofing material or profile, from standard shingles and metal panels to uncommon surfaces.

For any unusual or challenging roof, it’s highly recommended that you reach out to us for personalized assistance. Our team of ice dam prevention experts is ready to help advise on installations. You can explain your roof construction and get a professional recommendation, ensuring you get the correct hardware the first time.

Don’t hesitate to call for expert advice—it can save you time and protect your roof from trial-and-error. With the wide range of clips (mechanical, adhesive, hybrid) available today, a proper mounting solution can be found for almost any roof.

Need Help Calculating Your Heat Cable Requirements?

Installing heat cable isn’t just about clips—you also need to know how much cable to use and how many clips you will require for your project. To make planning easy, we offer a Heat Tape Calculator on our website that lets you input your roof dimensions, roof type, the eave length, the number of valleys, presence of gutters/downspouts, etc., and it will automatically compute the recommended cable length and the number of clips needed.

This is an extremely helpful tool to ensure you order the correct length of heating cable (since too little or too much can be problematic) and enough clips to install it per the guidelines. We strongly encourage using the calculator before purchasing materials—it takes the guesswork out of the process.

If you need further assistance or have a complicated roof, you can always call us at 1-877-247-4328 or reach out to our support team for guidance. We can help double-check your measurements and ensure your plan is sound.

Ready to get started? Use our Heat Tape Calculator to determine exactly what you need, or find a professional installer in your area.

Radiant Solutions Company
1515 5th Street South, Hopkins, Minnesota, 55343
Phone: 1-877-247-4328
www.radiantsolutionscompany.com