This article will discuss metal roof snow guards, why they are essential, their advantages, and how to install them.
Snow builds up on your roof during winter storms; as the melting starts from the bottom, it creates a moveable wall of ice and snow that will slide down your metal roof and damage whatever is below it.
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, areas with significant snow should only use the snow retention guards above entrances.
This is because the guards may cause too much snow to accumulate, which can damage the roof.
No one would expect to get 12 inches of snow in North Texas, but that’s what happened in December 2010.
Metal roofs are prevalent here in some US states; unfortunately, after the snow melted, many people found their gutters damaged or destroyed by snow sliding off their roofs in large sheets.
Metal Roof Ice Guards
A steel roof snow guard is an excellent idea for those with metal roofs and living in areas that experience heavy snowfall.
But what is a metal roof snow guard, and what do they do?
Why is snow guard rails for metal roof necessary?
Stick around and find out all you need to know!
Snow Guards For Metal Roof: Functions, Types, And Installation
A snow guard is a device that is installed on rooftops to guide ice melts and snow away from your metal roof. It does this in small portions and not all at once.
If you live in a high snowfall area, failure to install a snow guard could mean a snow avalanche at any time.
For those who don’t know what a roof avalanche is, it is the sudden fall of large amounts of snow from your roof. And this event can damage your gutters and the lower parts of your roof.
It will also leave undesirable heaps of snow in front of your door, which can keep you trapped inside. Worse still, a snow avalanche can injure someone standing directly under the fall.
Do I Need Steel Roof Snow Guards?
Different regions experience different levels of snowfall per season. Having a snow guard may not be a priority for those in areas less prone to heavy snowfall.
However, those who live in areas prone to constant and heavy snowfall will do themselves some good by installing a snow guard system.
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Importance Of Snow Brakes For Metal Roofs
Metal roofs shed snow faster than other roof types, but heavy snowfall can cause a heavy accumulation of snow and ice quicker than usual.
The weight of such an accumulation can cause your metal roof to cave in.
So yes, if you live in a high snowfall area, then a snow guard for a metal roof is good for you.
How are snow guards for corrugated metal roofs installed?
Thankfully, snow guards aren’t tricky to install, and you might be able to do it yourself. However, climbing a roof during the cold winter season is a bad idea for a rookie.
The ladder you’re using and the roof itself will be icy and slippery, which can cause an inexperienced person to fall off. If you must install it yourself, then you should do so before the winter season arrives.
The other option is to contact a professional to do it for you, as they have all the experience needed to do it safely and correctly.
Nonetheless, if you decide to go the DIY route, then make sure you follow the instructions stipulated in the product manual.
There are two ways you can install a snow guard –
- With an adhesive
- Mechanical fastening with a clamp
Snow retention devices can be installed with adhesive or mechanically fastened with self-drilling screws. The roof panel must be penetrated, while mechanically fastened snow guards will support more weight than glued down.
To install the roof panel guard with adhesive, wipe the back of the guards with denatured alcohol, then wipe down the area on the roof where the guard is to be installed.
Apply a liberal amount of adhesive on the back of the guard. I suggest using SB-190 Adhesive found at any roofing supply house. Push it firmly to the cleaned area on the roof.
Use enough adhesive so it squishes out the side. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestion on the back of the adhesive.
Remember that there are several types of snow guards for different metal roof types. These include snow-standing seam and corrugated.
Now that you know this, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the snow guard you bought for your specific type of metal roof.
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Layout
The layout of the guards on the roof is the most essential part of the entire system. For the best system, use the correctly designed guards and install them using a professional layout.
Many companies quote far too few guards to be the lowest bidder for the job. The result is an inferior layout destined for failure.
A few reputable snow guard manufacturers, such as Snoblox, have online programs to help you determine how many guards should be used on a particular project.
A reliable layout will have multiple staggered rows of guards; each mounted in the center of the panel where the snow and ice move.
The most common layout mistake is installing only one row down by the roof’s lower edge. This layout gives the snow too much room to build up velocity and cause damage to the guards.
It also allows too much load on the lower roof section, causing an unbalanced structural load.
An adequately designed layout will equally distribute the snow load across the entire roof, minimize the snow movement velocity with multiple rows, and break up large snowfields by staggered guard placement.
The first row of guards should be approximately six inches from the roof’s edge and the second about twelve inches from the edge.
Two rows of guards are usually enough for a pitch of 1/12 to 5/12. For 6/12 pitch and up, an additional row should be installed. On runs of 18 feet or more, it is recommended to add a row of guards halfway up the run.
Metal Roof Snow Stops: Advantages
Steel roof snow guards have more advantages than just guiding snow melts off your roof. Let’s take a look at them below.
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It guides snow and ice melts off your roof.
This is one of the primary functions of a snow guard. And it does this by removing the snow and ice melts in small amounts.
Keep in mind that an excess of snow on your metal roof can cause it to cave in. When this happens, melts leak into your home, and you’ll have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on metal roof replacement.
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It keeps your property from damage.
Imagine having your car parked by your house, and a roof avalanche happens. Such an event will leave dents on your car and your windshield shattered.
Your car could also be buried under the snow (depending on its size).
A snow avalanche can also damage your gutters and eaves, which you must replace if you want roof water to continue flowing down effectively.
But this will not happen with a metal roof snow guard installed, as it would have already channeled snow melts away from the roof to the point it does not cause damage to your roof or property.
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Snow rails for metal roofs could save lives.
A snow avalanche is dangerous to your car or any other property under your roof and can also harm or kill a person.
Snow guards can prevent this from happening, and you must install one if you have little kids at home.
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It isn’t expensive to install
At around $30 per unit, snow guards are inexpensive. To determine the cost, multiply the snow guards you need in your home.
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Different styles to fit residential and commercial roofs
Metal roof snow guards can be used in many styles to provide commercial and residential property looks.
You can buy your snow guards according to the style you feel is best for your building.
How Many Snow Guards For Metal Roof Do I Need?
As you may have already guessed, the larger your roof, the greater the number of snow guards you need.
It is recommended that you use two snow guards per valley/8 ft.
Conclusion
Snow guards for metal roofs have many benefits – They can save lives and property and prevent your metal roof from caving under the weight of excess snow and ice.
Metal roof snow guards are most handy for those who live in areas that experience high amounts of snowfall each season.
And while it is one of the best anti-avalanche devices you can have during winter, you should install it long before the snow.
The good news is you can do the installation yourself, as metal roof snow guards are easy to work around. On the other hand, you can always reach out to an experienced professional to do it for you.
Hopefully, the information provided on snow cleats for metal roofs here has been of great help.
Take care!