Aside from increasing the weight load handled by your roofing assembly, heavy snow deposits also carry the risk of causing a mini avalanche should they begin to slide off the sloped surface. This could lead to all kinds of trouble including damaged plant-life, landscaping, and outdoor decks, and, in worst-case scenarios, accidents, and injury. Snow guards or snow brackets are roof-mounted metal “spikes” installed by your roofing contractor and designed to hold large amounts of snow in place and prevent them from falling in one big chunk.
For areas prone to heavy snowfall, snow brackets can be an extremely useful addition. Let our professionals at The Roofing Company (CO) show you how snow brackets work and how they can help keep your home safe.
The Right Time for Snow Guards
Snow guards work well on standing-seam metal roofs. They’re often placed along horizontal lines following existing seams of a roofing system. Because they’re meant to stop snow from sliding, sloped roofs with a pitch higher than six and a half inches are the best candidates for these devices. For homes with a compromised insulation envelope, snow guards can also help in keeping large amounts of snow from compacting and forming dangerous ice dams, saving you the time, money, and inconvenience of calling for roof repair services.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
While snow guards and metal roofing systems go hand in hand, asphalt shingles are a different story. Shingled roofs are extremely prone to ice dam formation and the addition of snow brackets only can only worsen the risk. A lot of companies, therefore, do not recommend using this device if your roofing system is primarily comprised of tiles, shakes, or shingles.
From roof snow removal to metal roof installation work, The Roofing Company (CO) is your leading provider of superior roofing products and services. Give us a call at (970) 887-0104 or fill out our online contact form to request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in Granby, as well as all neighboring areas in Colorado.
FAQs
Snow brackets, also called snow guards, are pieces of metal mounted on your roof which are designed to prevent large amounts of snow from falling in one large chunk. Rather, snow guards help accumulated precipitation slide off your roof in small amounts at a time.
Are snow guards a good idea? ›
Don't let the warm weather fool you. Especially if you live in an area that gets regular snow fall each year. Roof snow guards are an excellent idea. Particularly for a composite slate or shake roof.
How many rows of snow guards do I need? ›
99.8% of the time, the base pattern is 3 rows of snow guards placed at the eave with the snow guards staggered in a tighter configuration (usually 24” o/c horizontally x 12”, or 1 course of material, vertically).
Do glue on snow guards work? ›
Adhesives tend to break down over time. So, adhered snow guards may work out for the 1st few years but over time, they may come off when a load is applied (like snow piling up behind them).
How do snow stops work? ›
Strategically placed around the roof, they will also distribute the weight of the snow evenly to prevent avalanches. This containment will then create a layer of snow and ice in the stops until the snow is removed.
How does snow load work? ›
Snow load is the pressure or force put on a building's roof caused by a pile-up of snow or ice. Since snow and ice melt when temperatures climb above 32 degrees, snow load is a temporary type of load — or a “live load” (versus a permanent “dead load,” like beams and drywall).
How do I keep snow from sliding off my roof? ›
On the exterior, homeowners can use snow and ice breakers, also called snow stoppers. These are specially designed retention systems that keep snow and ice on roofs and off people, cars, gardens, and pets.
Do snow guards cause ice dams? ›
That ice build up is actually called an 'ice dam' (read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_dam) and is caused by cooling at the eave of the roof that forms that ice block. Ice dams are not caused by nor alleviated by snow guards or snow fences.
Is snow fence worth it? ›
Snow fences act as a safety fence that can help prevent high-traffic areas from becoming bogged down. Farmers can benefit from snow fences as well. They can collect the snow from the temporary fencing and use it as water supply as it begins to melt.
Should snow guards be staggered? ›
Spacing: staggered row of snow guards are to be placed every 8 feet going up the roof. Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load. Starting at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard every 12", in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area.
Common snow guard spacing ranges from 12 inches to 24 inches apart, staggered horizontally and vertically along and up the roof, although it can be closer or farther apart depending on the factors mentioned above.
Do snow guards protect gutters? ›
Protection from falling snow and ice: The weight of the snow and ice can cause your gutters to bend, break, and eventually detach from your home. Massive snow slides can also ruin trees, shrubs and planter beds. Snow guards help to prevent this by providing a barrier between the snow and ice and your gutters.
Are snow guards worth it? ›
Snow guards are designed to allow snow and ice to drift off your roof in small amounts rather than all at once. Without snow guards, a snow avalanche could cause damage to your gutters, lower roof area, and objects below.
Should I put snow guards on my metal roof? ›
Yes. If you live in an area that gets snowfall every winter and you have or want to install a metal roof, we highly recommend snow guards.
What is a snow bar used for? ›
Snow Bars. SnoBar and ColorBar are high-end snow retention systems designed to keep snow on roofs in place, allowing it to melt gradually and preventing large amounts of snow and ice from sliding off sloped, glossy-coated metal roof panels.
What is the purpose of snow guards on a metal roof? ›
Snow guards, also known as snow retention systems or snow brakes, are devices that regulate the snow that falls off your roof in order to help avoid snow avalanches. The guards hold the snow so it can completely melt first and then control the speed and amount of snow that comes off the roof at one time.
Why you should remove snow from your roof? ›
Rain and precipitation weigh down the snow, putting more pressure on the roof, which can lead to sinking or collapse. We recommend clearing the roof once the snow reaches 60 cm (24 in.). While the weight of the snow is the top factor to consider, water damage is also quite common.
