Snow Guards: Are They Important?

In the Mid-Atlantic States, winter is upon us. Some states have seen a large amount of snow already while others have only received a sparing amount. As an expert post frame builder, we wanted to talk about snow guards and why they are an important investment for post frame buildings in the Mid-Atlantic region.

THEIR IMPORTANCE

Metal roofs, like other roofing materials, heat up under the sun. This can prompt the quick, dangerous movement of snow. If you’ve ever walked through your neighborhood after a snowfall, you probably noticed how beautiful the snow looks, covering the scenery. Then all of a sudden–BOOM!–a large pile of snow and ice slides off your neighbors’ garage roof, not only making you jump, but also making you think, “Thank goodness, I wasn’t anywhere near there!” Snow guards prevent large sheets of snow and ice from sliding off the roof of your garage or storage building, possibly damaging property or causing harm to a passerby. When opting for gutters, if snow guards are not installed, damage like this can happen:

Some buildings such as those with a low roof pitch do not need snow guards. If you aren’t sure if you should consider snow guards, a sales consultant can advise you based on your specific project!

SNOW GUARD INSTALLATION

Don’t be fooled, there is a science behind installing snow guards. The layout of the guards is the most critical part of a snow retention system. The first row of snow guards includes two rows of guards, placed toward the bottom of the eaves of a building. This is the standard option for most post frame buildings. They’re mounted on the flat part of the metal roofing panel and installed with 9” spaces between the guards. During installation, the snow guards are placed in a zigzag pattern, which helps break up snow for easier melting and allows snow to fall off in small amounts.

A second row of snow guards can be considered for structures with higher pitches. Those are installed higher on the roof to help reduce pressure on the first row of snow guards from a heavy snow load. There are several snow guard calculators on the Internet to help you determine if you need a second row of snow guards.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Our snow guards are made of stainless steel and measure 4” x 3” (WxH). They are available in over 30 powder-coated colors, have excellent fade resistance and do not require caulk for installation. You can match your snow guards to the color of your metal roof or try something unique by choosing a different color to catch attention.

PREPARING FOR WINTER

Here at Conestoga Buildings, we’re accustomed to building in winter, but also FOR winter. With our customers residing in a part of the country accustomed to seeing snow, we are experienced with installing snow guards and making recommendations based on your specific project. Contact us or request a quote to get your project started!