Originally Posted By: boscoThanks guys. it seems like it would create indentations between the 1x4's under a load, such as snow or if you had to walk across you roof.Maybe the metal panels are a lot sturdier then I imagine.
You don't want to walk on the metal bewteen the strips, if at all possible bosco. You don't displace weight over a broad enough area, and yes you will bend the tin if you step between the 1 x 4s, especially if you step on the edge of sheet. Follow the screw lines where the 1 x 4s are when you walk on the roof. The screws also provide additional footing, tin roofs get really slick!
Snow load is a whole different ball of wax, weight is distributed over a much greater area, and typically won't cause a problem. I would say never causes a problem, but that's a pretty broad disclaimer, and poo happens. I've never seen it cause a problem anyhow, and having spent 25 years in ND, and survived the winters of the mid 90s there, I can assure you that claim isn't made lightly. There were a lot of roofs caved in a couple of those years, snow loads causing rafters to break and such, but you couldn't see any damage to the tin on standing roofs.
That having been said, there is a great deal of difference in the weight (thickness/strength) of different metal roofings and sidings. When you purchase, be sure to compare apples to apples in that respect. Some of it is MUCH STURDIER than others, but I still wouldn't walk out in the middle of it.