Massive snow accumulation on a roof creates the potential for an unpredictable avalanche-like effect. Metal is a great choice for your rooftop. It has a long life expectancy and can stand up to the harshest conditions. It does have a low coefficient of friction though–meaning things (including snow) don’t stick to it very well. But the notion that snow is intended to slide off a metal roof is misguided and can be dangerous.
Even the best snow guard system can cause damage if it is not properly engineered to the project. That is why any system must be prudently tested, engineered and time-proven. A properly engineered snow guard system takes into account:
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Example of ineffective glued-on snow guards. Danger is potentially averted by strategic cart placement. But is this really a viable solution? |
“Design snow load” is the downward force for which a building's roof is designed (the weight of accumulated snow and ice it can handle). Access this information from your building contractor, project engineer or in the structural plans for the building. “Allowable capacity” is the tested failure load divided by a factor of safety to ensure the product cannot fail in service.
Ice sheets falling in Plano, Texas
Seeking a technical guide for engineering-based snow guard design?
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Download Qualifying Snow Retention Systems by the Metal Construction Association (MCA).
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Roof damage from a rooftop avalanche - no snow guards in use | Lower roof damage from a rooftop avalanche - no snow guards in use |
The above are then either unitized (dis-continuous) or continuous. Unitized snow guards (snow cleats, pad-style snow guards) can be single- or multi-component and do not require a continuous cross-member (a bar or pipe that forms a connection to all the pieces). Normally used in a redundant manner, unitized snow guards rely on snowpack “bridging” between adjacent devices. They often attach via adhesives.
Continuous snow guards (rail-type, snow fence, snow rail, pipe-style snow guards) use brackets or clamps and cross-members anchored to them to prevent sliding snow. Continuous snow guards can be made up of one or multiple cross-members.
The Pros and Cons
Structure AttachmentPros
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Example of a waterproofing failure in a mechanically-attached (non-penetrating) snow guard system |
Snow guards that appear “invisible” are highly reflective when actually installed on a roof. |
Cons
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Pros
Cons
Adhesive (Glued-On)Pros
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Roof damage caused by avalanching snow - no snow guards in use |
The holding strength of stick-on snow guards diminishes with age and as the adhesive degrades. Once the bond fails, the guard can rip away paint from the roof panel. |
Cons
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So, Will Snow Guards Damage Your Roof?They sure can! But only if you don’t take the above precautions into consideration. If not properly engineered, the weight of the snow can be too much for a single piece when glued onto the roof – or even when mechanically-attached. |
Failed plastic snow guards on a metal roof - premature fading and premature adhesive failure due to UV exposure |
In all instances, mechanically-attached snow guard systems are the best method for a variety of roof types and snow loads because their holding strength is not diminished with time. But only when properly tested, engineered and installed, will these products work as intended without causing harm to the roof. This is the most proven and effective way to prevent rooftop avalanches.
Need help deciding on the right snow guard system for your metal roof? Learn more about the only snow guard system good enough to be warranted for the life of the roof. All of our systems are rigorously tested and time-proven. Test results are displayed at our website and engineering tools are also available there to design any system for any metal roof.