Twenty five-plus years ago, you could have counted the number of major snow guard manufacturers/suppliers on one hand. Fast forward to today and there are 20-plus major manufacturers/suppliers. The products offered range in various sizes, shapes, attachment methods, materials, designs and color options. So how do you choose the right snow guard system for your project? And why are these options so important? Let's focus on some of the key points to navigate through all of your choices. The key purpose of a snow retention system is to hold and retain snow/ice on the roof and allow a controlled evacuation of the snow, which will help protect your assets and decrease your liability. A properly designed and installed system will retain the snow on the roof and prevent damage to gutters, signage, lighting, landscaping, canopies, awning, and vehicles and most importantly of all: people. Architects and contractors are incorporating snow retention systems in the original design of new construction projects but there is still a great amount of buildings that do not have snow retention. Also, re-roof projects that did not originally have a system in place may now need one. Did the roof slope change? Was the roof material changed from asphalt shingle to metal? A metal roof will be a much slicker surface compared to asphalt shingle so snow and ice will slide off that was not happening before. Attachment MethodsHow the snow guard system attaches to the roof is crucial in the selection process. There are plastic/ metal individual pad-style snow guards that have to be glued to the roof panel in which the glue will have a certain holding strength that is less than a mechanically attached option. There are clamps on snow guards that attach to the standing seam ribs and use set screws to mechanically attach. This attachment method yields the strongest holding strength of the non-penetrating methods. Furthermore, there are screw-down brackets for the widely popular exposed fastener roof panels. Most of the roof panel manufacturers prefer the clamp-on snow guards due to the non-penetrating attachment and not interfering with the roof panel warranty. The glues used to attach the individual glue on can have adverse effect on the Kynar paint that carries a 20-year warranty. It is best to check with the roof panel manufacturer before making your decision MaterialsPlastic, extruded aluminum, stainless steel, brass and cast aluminum are available material choices. The best option is extruded aluminum, stainless steel or brass (for copper roofs) systems. Over time, plastic and cast aluminum will become brittle and break or fracture. Aluminum, stainless steel and brass systems will have a longer life span equal to or greater than the metal roof itself. There have been independent studies proving that metal roofs last 40-plus years longer than other roofing materials. DesignSnow guard systems that mechanically attach are proven to be stronger than glue on snow guard systems. A majority of the time, a single row of a mechanically attached system can be installed at the eave of the roof compared to multiple rows of glue on plastic snow guards due to the holding strengths and having to spread the load across and up the roof. Will one row of a continuous mechanically attached system cost more than multiple rows of a plastic snow guard system? Typically, not when you factor in all of the criteria: cost of components and installation time. Most all of the snow guard manufacturers/suppliers offer design calculators and design assistance. Use this service to correctly design your system. If a manufacturer/supplier does not offer this service, it is best to move on to another. Also, ask for their independent test results. Continuous Versus IndividualThere is an ongoing debate of which is better: a continuous bar system that runs the full length of the building or staggering individual snow guards across and up the slope of the roof? When installed correctly per the manufacturer's installation instructions, both systems can function properly holding and retaining snow and ice. However, there is the overall look that is trying to be achieved from an architectural stand point. During the non-winter months, what look is acceptable? A continuous row above the gutter or individual staggered snow guards? Color OptionsMultiple years ago, the technology of color matching snow guards to the roof panels significantly enhanced the overall look. Systems can be painted or powder coated to match. Some systems are designed to accept a strip of Kynar coated roofing material. The Kynar strip insert is the superior option due to it will weather over time the same as the roofing material it is being installed on. However, there are times when a non-painted system better fits the look that is trying to be achieved. Clint Funderburk is the vice president of marketing of LMCurbs, Longview, Texas. To learn more, visit www.lmcurbs.com. Skip to main contentTerms of use, which are legally binding upon you, govern your use of this site and any products manufactured by Metal Roof Innovations, Ltd., and provide rules that prohibit unlawful use or copying of any part of this site. By using this site, you agree to abide by the Terms of Use. Project Dashboard & Product Downloads
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General Terms of Use which are legally binding upon you govern your use of this site, any products manufactured by Metal Roof Innovations, Ltd., and the snow retention calculator and load table. Commercial use or copying of any part of this site is prohibited. By accessing or using the calculator, you agree to abide by the Calculator Terms of Use and the General Terms of Use. By logging in, you certify that you have read and understand our Calculator License Agreement, Calculator Terms of Use, General Terms of Use, and Test Protocols and are qualified to assess factors of safety and other engineering items. Use of the calculator is restricted to customers of S-5!®. Commercial use of the calculator by any person or entity who is not a customer or prospective customer of S-5! is prohibited. No Thanks, I'd like to Continue As a Guest
What you will need to use the calculator:
General Terms of Use which are legally binding upon you govern your use of this site, any products manufactured by Metal Roof Innovations, Ltd., and the snow retention calculator and load table. Commercial use or copying of any part of this site is prohibited. By accessing or using the calculator, you agree to abide by the Calculator Terms of Use and the General Terms of Use. By logging in, you certify that you have read and understand our Calculator License Agreement, Calculator Terms of Use, General Terms of Use, and Test Protocols and are qualified to assess factors of safety and other engineering items. Use of the calculator is restricted to customers of S-5!®. Commercial use of the calculator by any person or entity who is not a customer or prospective customer of S-5! is prohibited. No Thanks, I'd like to Get a QuotePlease share your location to continue. |