Snow Guards & How They Protect Your Home
Are you expecting snow this winter? Even it it’s not much, consider installing snow guards on your roof. Snow guards help protect your roof and whatever is under it against falling snow. The purpose of installing snow guards is to prevent the entire roof-load of snow from falling all at once. With snow guards, the snow will melt and fall off in smaller chunks at a time.
Whether you have asphalt shingles, slate, cedar shake, or metal, no matter what type of roof you have snow guards can be added. Most snow guards can even be customized to match your roof so you’re not ruining the aesthetics of your home. Snow guards can be installed along with your new roof, or can be added to an already existing roof.
The amount of snow guards or fences needed depends on a couple of factors:
- Roof slope
- Rafter length
- Building orientation
- Snow load
Where they should be placed:
- Above entryways & walkways
- Landscaping
- Parking areas
- Lower roofs
- Gutters & vents
Types of snow guards:
When looking into snow guards, you want to make sure you are investing in the style of retention system that best fits your needs and your roof. A snow fence acts as a physical barrier and holds snow near the eave of the roof. Where as snow guards create friction throughout the roof’s surface, keeping snow in place.
Look for materials made out of stainless steel or aluminum so that they won’t rust. If you are looking to color match the equipment to your roof, go for a powder coating. The big idea here is to make sure that your snow guard or snow fence doesn’t start to rust. If they do, it could potentially stain your roofing materials.
In order to know which works best for your roof, you’ll need to get a professional to look at your roof. Each roof’s conditions are different causing each installation to be custom designed.
Photo Credit: Sbardella Slate, Inc.
