Snow guard: a necessary element of a metal roof

• Tubular snow guards;
• Metal snow retention strips;

At the KRONA office in Moscow, you can select and buy snow guards for roofs made of metal tiles in standard sizes and colors from well-known manufacturers. We offer snow retention systems for all types of roofs from economy to premium with high trade discounts. All products have quality certificates.

Advantages of modern systems

The Russian construction markets are vying with each other to offer a huge selection of roofing coverings, as well as additional elements to ensure safety. Their list includes snow retainers. It is quite difficult for the average person to make the right choice. There is an opinion that various snow retainers spoil the appearance of the coating. And yet, everyone eventually has to be convinced that manufacturers today have succeeded so much that they create systems for retaining snow in the same color as metal roofing. Some models of snow guards are produced without welded seams. Snow retention systems and their individual elements are identical to the colors of the roofing, which makes them almost invisible. At the same time, the appearance of the roofing and the house does not deteriorate.

Why are snow guards needed?

Neglecting to install building safety systems may pose the risk of a small avalanche falling off the roof. A fairly large amount of snow accumulates on the roof in winter. Taking into account the climatic characteristics of our region (thaws abruptly giving way to severe frosts), dangerous situations often arise when the entire accumulated snow cap falls sharply. For the same reason, there is too much formation of ice blocks, as well as icicles, which are quite capable of causing damage not only to the drainage system, but also to a car parked near the house. Such natural phenomena pose a threat to human life. Therefore, arranging the roof when installing metal tiles with a suitable snow retention system is of great importance. The main functions of such systems are to prevent avalanches from falling off the roof, create the necessary conditions for removing snow yourself, and protect against falling roofing material during strong winds, repair work, and technical faults.

How to install snow guards on metal tiles with your own hands

Many people who install a roof on their home are aware of the fact that the roof, in addition to being beautiful, functional and durable, must also be safe. This material will talk in detail about roof safety systems and their importance. In addition, we will talk about how to install snow retention systems for metal tiles and what types there are, installation of which snow retention systems requires some specific knowledge and following step-by-step instructions.

An example of installing snow guards on metal tiles.

A feature of the Russian climate in winter is the formation of snow caps, icicles, and blocks of ice on the roofs of buildings, which can fall sharply. This can not only cause trouble, but also pose a threat to human lives.

That is why, in the process of repairing an old roof or when constructing a new one, you should never neglect the installation of snow guards.

For example, in European countries they will never accept a house into operation if tubular snow guards are not installed on it.

If the home owner decided to save some of his own money and did not install a snow retention system, insurance companies will most likely refuse to insure such a structure.

List of items you will need to install snow guards with your own hands:

• self-tapping screws;
• drill;
• snow retention tubes;
• tubular snow retainer.

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Main types of systems

In the construction markets in many regions of our country, without much difficulty you can find such types of snow retention devices as snow retention tubes, snow retention grates, snow retention logs, snow retention corners, and snow retention yokes. How not to make a mistake with such a variety of options and purchase a reliable and high-quality snow retention system for metal tiles? To do this, consider several main advantages and disadvantages of each type of system listed above. It is recommended to install snow retention systems during the installation of the roofing. It's cheaper and much more convenient.

Types of snow retention systems

Like many other devices that surround people in their daily lives, snow guards are characterized by versatility.

In particular, they may be:

• tubular;
• lattice;
• in the form of a log or corner;
• in the form of a yoke.

Snow retainers differ not only in their type, but also in the principle of their action.

They are either barrier or permeable.

The latter are highly effective in retaining snow caps of considerable height.

For this reason, through-type snow retainers are the most common devices in Russia.

They are often represented by tubes, gratings and other similar elements located on the roof.

Corners are rightfully classified as barrier-type detainers.

A clearer understanding of these types of snow retention systems will help to obtain a description of their design features and features.

Tubular type snow retention devices

The basis of such devices is a regular metal pipe installed at the bottom of the roof slope.

As a rule, pipes with a diameter of 1 inch are used for their arrangement.

Tubular snow retainers were originally created for use on seam roofs, however, subject to certain rules, they turn out to be quite effective on metal roofs.

Snow guards

For metal tiles, this type of snow retainer is currently considered the most effective.
It is this fact that has caused them to become quite widespread.

Such gratings come in two varieties: regular and, as they are called, “royal”.

In terms of design, there are practically no differences between them.

They are divided according to the features present in the supports and the complexity of the implementation of the lattice itself.

To avoid mistakes with the selection of supports, it is recommended to give preference to universal models suitable for both types of retainers.

Since any of these gratings are quite high, they ensure safety even in summer.

During repair work on the roof, they are able to prevent both the person and the tools they use from falling.

Snow logs

Logs are the oldest type of device that prevents snow from falling off roofs.

They first appeared many decades ago on Bavarian and Alpine houses, and the technology has survived and continues to be in demand to this day, although it has changed somewhat.

Instead of logs, pipes with a large diameter, about 140 mm, are most often used.

The main advantage of log-type snow retainers is their reliability, due to both the large size of the pipe used in them and its strength.

Corner systems

Such systems are represented by ordinary steel corners coated with a polymer material that prevents corrosion.
These systems are quite effective in preventing avalanches from sliding snow from the roof, while being the cheapest option among other snow retention devices. Their additional advantage is that the variety of colors of the polymer coating makes it easy to select corners for metal tiles of any color.

Snow retaining yokes

The yokes themselves do not constitute a snow retention system, since they are used as additional snow retention elements for the other systems listed above.

Yokes used for snow retention are sometimes also called snow stoppers.

Snow retention tubes

This option for snow retention is popular among owners of standing seam roofs. It can also be used on a wide variety of roofing materials. Today it is possible to find only two options for tubes: a hollow tube with a diameter of 1 inch; steel tube, diameter 10-15mm. Many experts on existing standing seam roofing systems recommend installing similar snow retention systems. If you follow all the nuances of the installation technology, then such tubes can fully perform all the necessary functions for roofing coverings.

Installation of access-type systems

Experienced specialists give some advice on installing pipes on metal tiles. Installation should be carried out at a distance of 400-500mm parallel to the cornice. Such tubes should be installed above the attic window, if present. The pipes on the roof can be arranged in different ways at the homeowner’s request: at the junction of each other or in a checkerboard pattern. On long roof slopes (5.5 m or more), it is necessary to install snow guards in several rows with a minimum interval of 2.5-3.5 m. Pipes cannot be mounted on eaves overhangs. The installation of snow retention tubes on metal tiles should be carried out at the point of approach higher to the ridge or to the roof of the load-bearing wall.

On a metal roof, snow retention systems are mounted on long self-tapping screws with parallel fastening to the sheathing, through the roofing.

When calculating the required number of fastenings, it is important to take certain factors into account. This is the design of the sheathing, as well as the length of the slope and the angle of the roof. It is mandatory to follow the technology of sealing holes for snow guards using rubber gaskets. Two seals should be installed under the lower mount. In most situations, the distance between such fastenings will be 0.5-1 m. A pipe or oval profile is installed in the brackets. The elements are connected to each other using through bolts.

Calculations for choosing a snow guard

The choice of one design or another depends, in particular, on the strength of the rafter system, which means it is good if snow retention systems are selected at the roof design stage. The load application vector from the snow masses is decomposed into components - perpendicular to the slopes and along them, along the line of the slopes. The magnitude of this longitudinal load can be so large that it cuts off the fastenings of the elements of the snow retention system. Therefore, preliminary calculations and drafting are necessary.

The following factors are taken into account:

• Slope slope. The parameter directly affects the magnitude of the force vector directed along the slope. If the angle of the slope is more than 15 °, the snow retainer will experience significant load, and with increasing angle it will only increase. In this case, the use of tubular or lattice systems is recommended.
• Roofing covering. Metal shingles are discussed here. For all its types, except “Monterrey”, universal fastenings for snow retainers are suitable. “Monterrey” has a special profile, and therefore special fasteners are made for this type, which does not require additional reinforcement of the sheathing, which is inevitable when installing universal systems.
• Climate. More precisely, the average statistical thickness of snow cover for such and such a region.
• Number of rows of snow retention elements. Determined by calculations.

When calculating the snow retention system, it is important to ensure uniform load on the tiles and rafter system. The brackets are not attached to the eaves of the roof and must be on a rigid base. Otherwise, the overhangs may not be able to cope with the load. So, brackets with fasteners are the most vulnerable elements.

The brackets have certain strength indicators. For example, standard product No. 76b for a 2-pipe snow guard can withstand a load of 300 kg. Bracket No. 62 will support a maximum of 110 kg. It is quite possible that one row of barriers is not enough to hold the snow, then two (sometimes more) rows are made, which are evenly distributed along the length of the slope.

The load on the snow retention system is calculated using the formula M=ixLxNsxsin α:

• M - load from the mass of snow along the edge of the roof slope, directed along the roof covering.
• i is a coefficient that takes into account the friction force on the roof covering. There will not be a big error if we take this coefficient for metal tiles as 0.8.
• L is the length of the slope from the ridge to the snow guard installation line.
• Ns is the snow load value established by meteorologists for a specific region based on long-term observations.
• sin α is the sine of the roof slope angle (α). Needed to calculate the vector of force application along the slope.

The value of Ns is clarified by the local meteorological service, but you can also use a table or map of the zoning of the country's territory according to the level of snow load.

Tubular snow guards

At first they were called snow-retaining logs. Such methods were first used many years ago in the Alps and Bavaria. Today, such systems are used everywhere. The design features of this system include the installation of pipes on special supports. Originally made from wood, today they are a pair of metal tubular structures simulating logs, typically measuring approximately 140mm in diameter. Such tubes are installed on ordinary supports; they are made of simple sheet steel.

The main advantages of this system include lower weight and ease of color matching to the roofing material. Such systems should be installed parallel to the cornice, maintaining an approximate distance of 0.5-0.8 m. It should be fastened on one and the other side of each wave. It is important to remember that wooden blocks should be placed under the crest of the wave at the appropriate attachment points. Some manufacturers provide its sheets with appropriate protrusions, which eliminates the need to place additional bars in the sheathing for installation of a tubular snow retainer.

Models of snow guards for metal tiles

There is a huge selection of snow guards for roofs on the market. Professional roofers advise choosing a specific model, taking into account a complex of factors. Among them: the volume of solid precipitation, the angle of the roof and the type of roofing material. Some snow catchers are universal, they are suitable for all operating conditions. Structurally, there are 3 types of products.

Tubular snow guards

Tubular products are classified as snow cutters. They contain 2 round or oval pipes, a set of brackets (supports) for fastening to metal tiles, hardware and rubber seals. Pipes are produced in two long standard sizes - 1 and 3 meters. The diameter varies from 15 to 30 mm. A common practice among builders is to purchase and cut a meter-long tubular snow guard into pieces of the required length.

Depending on the manufacturer, the number of brackets is 2 or 4 pcs. For the aesthetics and uniqueness of the appearance of the roof, figured supports in the form of animals and plants are on sale.

The recommended distance between supports is 100 cm

Each pipe is inserted one by one into the hole of the bracket, which is attached to the roof with 8x60 mm self-tapping screws or metal screws. The overall height of the snow retainer can reach 150 mm. Installation of such devices is carried out along the entire perimeter of the roof in one continuous row. When the pressure and load of snow are high, then 2 rows of metal structures are placed at a distance of no more than three meters from each other.

Pipe wall thickness in tubular models reaches 1.2 mm

The strength of the tubular snow guard is affected by the gap between the roof and the down pipe. Its optimal value is 2–3 cm. The permissible distance between the snow retention pipes is 8–10 cm.

Tubular structures are universal, they are suitable for roofs with an angle of up to 60°. On surfaces with a slope of more than 60°, snow guards do not need to be installed. It is believed that snow layers do not linger on them.

Lattice snow guards

Such models consist of a pair of vertical posts and a grille attached to them. All elements are made of galvanized sheet metal and painted with powder or polymer paint to match the metal tiles. Thanks to this, they are practically invisible against the background of the roof. The dimensions of the snow guard may vary. The tallest ones reach 15–20 cm; there are models with a small lattice height of 5–7 cm.

Externally, lattice models resemble standard fences

Depending on the height, lattice devices trap snow blocks of different volumes and weights. The greater the height, the more efficient the design.

If the amount of snow is too large, then the rigidity of the grate may not be enough, and it will bend under the pressure of the snow. In such cases, it is recommended to purchase more durable tubular devices.

Designs of snow stops with mechanical fastening of the grid to the racks or welded options are common. In the latter case, the reliability and durability of the product increases.

Installation of lattice devices is carried out in one row along the roof eaves. When the slope is long (more than 5.5 m) and there is a significant snow load, this type of snow retainer is combined with plate stops.

Angle or plate snow guards

In areas of the country where the volume of snow precipitation is insignificant, plate or corner restraint devices are installed. They are included in the range of snow barriers. The main installation area is roofs made of corrugated sheets or metal tiles.

The staggered position of the snow guards allows you to evenly distribute the load over the entire roof area

The model is a single profile made of bent sheet, in the form of a triangle with shelves for attaching to the base. The height of the products is no more than 6 cm. Fastening is carried out directly to the metal tile profile, the wavy surface of which is not an obstacle to installation. A special feature of the work is the installation of such models in a staggered arrangement along the roof ridge. As a rule, it is installed in 2 rows, spaced from each other by up to 1 m.

The use of corners or plates is possible for roofs with a slope angle of up to 30°.

Corner snow guards

This type of security system is the simplest and least expensive in terms of financial resources. Manufacturers use thin sheet steel and apply a polymer coating to it. Therefore, selecting a snow retention system in accordance with the color of the metal tile is not difficult. Recommendations for installing corner snow retention systems for metal tiles: install only along the top wave of metal tile sheets. Corner snow retainers, like tubular ones, slow down the flow of snow from the roofing.

This system includes:

• Simple corner (50x50 mm);
• Corner snow retainer;
• Roofing screws (51-60 pcs.);

Types of snow guards

Snow guards for metal tiles are made of high-quality and durable metal , since each element is subject to significant loads during operation. Snow retainers are produced in the form of snow-passing and snow-blocking structures.

The most popular types of snow retention elements are:

Lattice. They are presented in the form of a grille, which is attached to the roof slope with brackets. This type of snow retainer does not completely stop the melting of the snow layer, so it is classified as a snow cutter. Due to the fact that the snowdrift is divided into parts by the bars of the lattice, large ice floes and blocks cannot slide down. The volume of snow dumped depends on the frequency of the rods. Manufacturers advise installing elements of this design on roofs with a slope of 35-45 degrees. Tubular. The devices are presented in the form of horizontal pipes. Their diameter is 6-10 cm. They are installed along the slope in 2 rows in the form of a small barrier. The snow mass, passing through the barrier, is divided into thin plates. Due to the fact that the snow melts in portions, the roof rafter frame is not overloaded, and the fall is safe and does not threaten the health of passing people. Corner ones. The simplest structures that are used to hold snow masses on the roof slope. They look like metal corners made of stainless steel, the color of which matches the color of the metal tile. Lamellar. This type of snow retention elements is made of metal plates. The snow remains on the roof until it melts completely, after which the water flows into the gutter. Since the plates cannot withstand snow pressure, installation of snow guards of this type is only available on slopes with a slope of up to 50 degrees.

To save money, snow guards are installed only in those places where snow melting will cause the greatest inconvenience: above the paths, parking lot or porch.

Snow retention gratings

Today, gratings are the most effective and most common option for snow retention. Manufacturers provide several types of gratings: “royal” gratings and regular-type gratings. What is the difference? Not so much in the visual characteristics, but in their functional features and ability to hold snow. Grids are an ideal option for snow retention on various types of roofing coverings, including metal roofs. It is important to choose the right supports for them. There are “universal supports” available on the market that can be combined with any type of roof covering.

Installation of snow guards on metal roofing

There are some features of the installation technology depending on the design of the snow guards, but first you need to choose them correctly. It is important to consider

:

• roof type;
• design power load;
• future location of structures on the roof surface.

Ignoring these parameters can lead to the fact that even with snow retention systems, uncontrolled snow melting will occur, which will result in injury to people and damage to property (including the roof itself). The result may be that savings on the purchase and installation of snow guards will result in higher costs for repairs or treatment.

Snow retaining yoke

This is an auxiliary device in the main snow retention system. It is important to understand that yokes are installed in addition to the main structures for snow retention, such as grates, corners, tubes, and logs. Many experts call the yoke the specific term “snowstopper”. There are several different types of snow stoppers for each roofing option. For seam roofing, snow stoppers are used from the same materials from which roofing coverings are made. For tile or slate roofs, you should look for snow stoppers that match the color of the base covering. Experts give some recommendations for installing snow stoppers, from which it follows that their installation is carried out parallel to the eaves, evenly distributed along the entire perimeter of the roof covering at a distance of up to 0.8 m from the edge.

The main disadvantage of yokes is their low height. In this case, only the lower layers of snow on the roof are effectively retained. The use of long self-tapping screws is the main requirement for the installation of various types and types of snow retention systems on metal roofing. Moreover, it is not always necessary to attach an additional bar (this was discussed above). A peculiarity of fastening the lower edges of the snow guard is the need to fasten it in the upper part on the sheet through one wave (every second). We remind you that it is necessary to purchase the required number of elements of snow retention systems based on calculations of the snow load on the roof. And it reaches a maximum for a roof with the smallest slope angle.

Ways to solve some complications

Most often, when installing snow guards on the roof, craftsmen are faced with the fact that the length of the bracket does not coincide with the pitch of the purlins. The standard distance between fasteners is 3, 3½ and 4 m. If the overhang of the rafter legs is not provided, then you need to retreat 50-80 cm from the eaves.

The few disadvantages of tubular-type systems include the fact that their height is lower than that of gratings. In addition, additional waterproofing is required at the junction of the snow retention device and the roofing material. To avoid the shedding of small ice fragments, a special strip can be attached in combination with tubular snow retainers.