SNOW GUARDS

 What are Snow Guards?

Snow guards are rooftop devices that allow snow and ice to drop off in small amounts or melt completely before falling to the ground.  They prevent damage caused by avalanching snow and ice while enhancing the beauty of any roofing system.  Historically used with slate roofs, snow guards are a practical, cost-effective addition to any sloped roof in cold-weather areas.

Where should they be used?

Snow Guards are often installed on all sloped roof surfaces to protect against snow and ice damage below.  It is especially important to install them above

  • Entryways, walkways and gathering spots

  • Parking lots and drive-through areas

  • Expensive landscaping

  • Ground-mounted mechanicals

  • Lower roofs, valleys and crickets

  • Gutters and roof protrusions, such as plumbing vents

Why use Alpine Snow Guards

  • Simplified installations, whether new construction or retrofit

  • Pad and pipe styles available for every type of roof

  • Innovative, flexible designs allow for custom pieces as necessary

  • Available in painted steel, copper, lead-coated copper, plain or painted aluminum, Galvalum, or zinc

  • Will not yellow or break down line plastic pieces

  • Extensively tested in the field

  • Recommended layouts and other technical support provided free of charge by roofing experts

  • Backed by the exceptional reliability and customer service of Vermont Slate & Copper Services

Pad Style vs. Pipe Style

In general, pad styles are typically used in residential applications, while pipe styles are more common in commercial/institutional applications and when especially steep roofs are involved. Both types perform equally well when properly installed.

Some Common Questions

Do Alpine SnowGuards keep all the snow and ice on the roof?

No snow guard can keep 100 percent of the snow and ice on a roof.  Snow guards are designed to prevent an entire load of snow from dumping at once.  Small amounts of snow and ice will still melt and slide off.

Wouldn’t heat cable accomplish the same thing?

Heat cable melts snow and ice, usually in an effort to resolve an ice-damming problem. Snow guards can protect heat cable from damage caused by sliding snow and ice.

Do snow guards prevent or cause ice damming?

Snow guards cannot cause or cure an ice-damming problem.  Ice damming is caused by improper ventilation.

Is the height of the snow guard important?

Snow and ice shed when a film of water builds up between the snow and the roof surface. The water acts as a lubricant, reducing the friction of the roof surface and allowing snow and ice to slide down. As long as the snow guard prevents snow and ice from shifting at the roof surface, it will prevent an avalanche.

How many snow guards are needed?

That depends on several factors, including roof slope, rafter length, building orientation and snow load.