Now that winter is coming up, you’ll want to think about how potential snow will affect your roof. When you’re well prepared, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but if you’re not, it can cause real damage. That’s especially true if you’ve recently had a metal roof installed.
They have a lot of benefits, but they do face some unique issues when it comes to snow. Here’s what you need to know about metal roof snow guards, and how you can avoid any potential issues this winter.
Why Snow Is a Problem for Your Metal Roof
Firstly, why should you be concerned about snow this winter? With a metal roof, even a smaller amount is going to cause issues if you aren’t prepared. If you’ve has asphalt shingle roofs in the past, you’ll have seen that the snow that falls sticks to your roof before it melts off in the sun.
That allows it to turn to water before it gets to the gutters, and lets it run away harmlessly. Of course, you do need the roof to be well insulated, and the gutters to be in good condition to avoid ice dams from forming. This isn’t the case when it comes to a metal roof.
Unlike an asphalt shingle roof, a metal roof doesn’t provide any traction to fallen snow. As such, it’s very slippery and snow is prone to sliding off even in sheets in some cases. You’d think not having the weight of the snow on your roof would be good, but it will cause problems if it slides off this way.
When there’s no resistance, it can actually cause damage to the fascias on your roof, as well as your gutters. You don’t want to have to deal with unexpected repair bills this winter, so you’ll need to find a way to stop this from happening.
What Are Metal Roof Snow Guards, and How Can They Help?
That’s where snow guards come in. These have been designed especially for metal roofs in colder weather and will stop these problems in their tracks. A snow guard is a device that’s installed onto the roof surface, and its purpose is to hold snow on the roof until it melts.
When that happens, the water will then run away easily without causing any problems at all. There are two different types of snow guards, and you’ve most likely seen them before on metal roofs in your neighborhood not even knowing what they were for.
Snow Birds
These snow guards have a small, seashell-type shape, and stand around 2 to 3 inches tall. They are installed in an alternating pattern on top of the roof, near the edge. This helps break up any snowfall on it, letting it melt off instead of coming off in chunks.
Where exactly the snow birds are installed will depend on your roof and its exact type. For example, a standing seam seal roof will have snow birds installed on top of the rib of each seam. On other metal roofs, the snow bird will come with a rubber foot.
This is fastened through the roof with screws, with the rubber making a watertight seal. You can also see snow birds on other roofing materials, such as slate. In this instance, the guards will be installed with a long flange that sits below the row of slate tiles above it.
Snow Rails
Snow rails, as the name implies, are long rails installed across your roof. These are designed for areas where there is heavier snowfall, as they’ll be able to hold more snow before it starts to melt away. You’ll also see a lot of commercial buildings using them, as they have larger metal roofs and so will hold a lot more snow overall.
Do You Need Metal Roof Snow Guards?
Now you know about snow guards, you’ll need to know if you need them for your roof. Is that something that you need to consider? If you have a metal roof and live in a climate that gets regular snowfall, then you will want to look into getting snow guards installed.
As mentioned above, they will stop snow from sliding off your roof and causing damage. If the snow starts coming off in chunks, it can damage the gutters and fascias. That will lead to repair costs, as well as potential water damage in your home.
If you’ve just had the roof installed, you don’t want to deal with additional costs. Of course, if anyone is walking under your roof line and snow comes off that way, it can cause injury too. If you have an asphalt shingle roof, then you may not need those snow guards.
The surface of the shingle has more grip than a metal roof, so the snow is typically held there until it melts. If you have a roof with a steep pitch though, that snow may well fall off before it melts. Talk to your roofer about whether you’ll need one. On roofs with a steeper pitch than 6/12, you may need those snow guards.
Installing Your Metal Roof Snow Guards
Decided that your roof will need snow guards? If so, then you’ll need to look at having them installed. While there are guides online that show you how to do it, you’ll want to hire an expert roofer to handle the job for you.
Like any roofing job, installing snow guards is potentially dangerous and you want someone with the right expertise and equipment to handle it. You’ll also want an expert to handle it, as an incorrectly installed snow guard can lead to leaks in your roof over time.
Final Takeaway
Snow guards are an essential part of your roof if you have had a metal roof installed. Before the snow comes this winter, talk to your local roofer about getting them installed to protect your roof and avoid any unnecessary repair bills. You’ll soon see how important they are when the colder weather comes in earnest.
There are plenty of benefits to installing metal roof snow guards. If you’re having a metal roof installed, talk to your roofer about getting metal roof snow guards installed. They’ll be able to recommend the best for your home, considering your location, climate, and aesthetic needs.
