metal roof snow stops

[jumpstart]

Looking for some advice on installing snow stops on a metal roof. I see there are different types available, but I'm looking for some real world experience on them. Cost, installation, results, etc.

Found that last winter I had massive amounts of snow coming off and blocking the door openings. Not a huge deal, just plow it again, but I am concerned about safety, or lack of...

 

[finn]

They aren't used around here.

They get ripped off by the sliding snow.

After building your first garage with an under eave door and metal roof, your next build has gable side garage doors, or a shingled roof.

At least mine does.

 

[SteveCh]

My entire house roof is set up with them. I bought mine from the co. which manufactures my roofing, which is standing-seam panels. You'll have to research which styles will fit with your particular roofing. I would not do without them. Mine have been up there since about '95, and we have a lot of snow here in the mountains. Every so often, we hear in the news of someone being injured or killed when a large pile of snow slides off a roof and hits someone, usually on their porch or in front of the garage.

My roofing is quite slick. Another benefit of the snow stops is that I have an extra safety feature when up there working on something. Just in case I slip and begin to slide. Hasn't happened, but I like knowing the drop off the roof is not likely if I were to slip or fall.

My particular type are screwed into the raised seams and are quite sturdy and locked into place.

 

[914wilhelm]

Mine are continuous across the roof and are also screwed to the tops of the tops of the raised seams. I chose this type as I did not want screw perforations through flat and lowest part of the panels and thus set myself up for potential leaks. I had up to 3' of snow on the roof and doubt they would get ripped off like the smaller individual roof stops. Mine also are a option by the roofing supplier. I can get "mini-avalanches" with this style of stop with the right snow conditions. With real wet sloppy snow, slices of sloppy stuff slips under the stops and comes down. Most of the time though the snow just melts and goes down the gutters. I like the style enough that it's going on the new shop.

 

[fteufert]

Mine are simple L brackets about 3 inches wide. They are installed on each flat section of roof in two rows, alternating in distance from the edge of the roof.

They work fine, as it keeps the ice from crashing down as it melts. I have never had one ripped out, even by branches. They don't leak either.

THe only down side is that they catch leaves!

 

[4 FN 27]

Looks like I need to add them too...

 

[rburke65]

I JUST bought 7 pieces each 10'-6" long for my shop and colored screws to match. As said, they are screwed to the high ridge of the metal roofing. About $180. I think they are installed about 3' above the gutter. I haven't had them installed yet.

 

[rburke65]

2 FN 27....for a moment I thought that was a photo of MY shop!

 

[4 FN 27]

2 FN 27....for a moment I thought that was a photo of MY shop!

lol...almost time to get the Bobcat out.

 

[DonPowers]

No snow stops here, planned to have it slide and clean it up with a tractor. When my heat is installed, will have a heater in the attic so I can initiate the slide on my own terms.

 

[readhead]

Shingles. Nothing to clean up.

 

[jhelrey]

Just keep in mind when you park a car near it, etc. Happens at my buddies shop and we don't pull right up to it.

 

[rburke65]

No snow here at the moment.....50*F right now.

 

[bandaidmd]

Good thread, I was on amazon looking at stoppers just the other day. Also need to stop in at the pole barn supply store. I had a storage trailer parked close to the shop a few years ago and the avalanche buckled most of the roof ribs in a 44' freuhalf trailer.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[rburke65]

I still like the looks of the shop with the doors on the eve end......but I DO need the stops. And yes, this thread is very timely.

 

[jumpstart]

Thanks for the replies. Need to get something up there before snowfall. Last winter had a ton of snow come off as I was out clearing around the shop with my loader. Was being careful, but almost got taken out by an avalanche. Had about 18-24" of heavy snow come off all at once.

 

[myredracer]

We have them but only just above vent stacks and exhaust vents. The roofing co. that installed them just made them up from flat stock in their shop.

Our roof is nearly 45 degrees so when it slides, it really comes down hard. Didn't have them installed at first and when the first heavy snowfall came, and then it started to melt and slid down, it wiped out a few of the plumbing vent stacks. Not nice... We also had a lot of our gutters come down because the installers didn't put in enough hangers so it all got redone and with upgraded hangers.

You want snow guards if you have entry doors, sundecks, sidewalks etc. - anywhere that the snow could land on someone or pets. The roof over those garage doors should have them. Maybe just one continuous row part way up, or could be maybe 2 needed. I would talk to a roofing co. experienced with metal roofing and snow blocks. They are easy to install and don't take much time on site. They get screwed into the top of the standing seams and never into the flat piece against the roof sheathing (as I've seen in some photos). The metal expands and contracts and needs to be free to move, plus screws into the sheathing could be a cause of leaks.

There are different products on the market and different methods for attachment. The drawing below shows one method using set screws against the side of the standing seams - looks expensive tho. Ours is like in the photo. Google "metal roof snow guard" and you will find lots of info. and photos.

Don't know if you had the roofing installed or bought the property with the building already completed. Metal roofing installations have long manufacturers warranties. 40 years for this company - https://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com/product-info/warranty/ or even lifetime for some. Contractors can warranty a metal roof for the labor for well beyond a year for metal roofing. Before you do anything to the roof, you want to make sure you won't void a warranty. You may want to use the original contractor/roofer due to potential warranty issues, unless it was installed by the homeowner.

 

[lakeroadster]

I just went through installing these on my pole barn.

Each manufacturer is different, and each has their own calculations that determine the number of rows you will need and if the trusses are up to the task. A truss for a smooth metal sheathed roof engineers out to be not as strong as one for a shingled roof. This is simply because the snow / ice slides off.

So when you add snow trim to a smooth metals roof it increases the snow loading. On my building it increased the snow loading by 15%. If you've ever seen the snow drifts on a roof with snow trim it becomes obvious

On my 30 ft span width building I only needed one row. I was surprised at how strong the snow trim fabrication is.. it's a durable piece for sure.

 

[jumpstart]

lakeroadster, who is the manufacturer for that trim? When I built the garage, I had the trusses built for a sheathed, shingled roof, so the load rating should be good.

 

[lakeroadster]

lakeroadster, who is the manufacturer for that trim? When I built the garage, I had the trusses built for a sheathed, shingled roof, so the load rating should be good.

Lester Buildings...

Nice Camaro.... yours?

 

[James-W]

I would think it would be advantageous for the snow to fall off the roof. There have been roofs collapse due to heavy snow.

 

[jumpstart]

Thanks....had it going on 20 years.

 

[lakeroadster]

I would think it would be advantageous for the snow to fall off the roof. There have been roofs collapse due to heavy snow.

Unless it falls on top of your classic 1969 Camaro as you are pulling it into the shop.... how advantageous would that be?

Or how about a 15' ft sheet of 1/2" thick ice falling onto that Camaro?

Or snow and ice falling onto your wife.... wait, opinions may vary on that one

 

[jumpstart]

Can always clean some off if needed. Just don't want it coming off all at once.

 

[James-W]

Unless it falls on top of your classic 1969 Camaro as you are pulling it into the shop.... how advantageous would that be?

Or how about a 15' ft sheet of 1/2" thick ice falling onto that Camaro?

Or snow and ice falling onto your wife.... wait, opinions may vary on that one

Would it be better if the roof collapsed and fell on the car inside the garage along with the snow and ice?

 

[readhead]

The type installed on Lakeroadster 's building are pretty easy and inexpensive. In my experiance we don't install them on roofs steeper than 4/12. Since they are only screwed to the high ribs to much snow can rip them out. Several companies make snow guards and if you contact them they will come up with the proper design and layout.
It appears that you don't have a standing seam roof so the bolt on clips won't work for you. For those that do have standing seam roofs the clips work very well and offer the owner several options.
The final option for very steep roofs are snow bars. We have installed several systems at the local ski area.
The down side of snow guards is it makes it difficult to remove excess snow put it is doable if you are carefull.
One last note. Don't be tempted to only install them on one side of the roof. It can load the roof unevenly and cause structural problems.

 

[lakeroadster]

Would it be better if the roof collapsed and fell on the car inside the garage along with the snow and ice?

Only if some dumb *** installs the snow trim on a roof that can't handle the load.... that's kind of the entire point of the conversation.

What is so hard for you to understand James... you're from Wisconsin... it snows there.... this is a pretty simple topic.

 

[James-W]

Only if some dumb *** installs the snow trim on a roof that can't handle the load.... that's kind of the entire point of the conversation.

What is so hard for you to understand James... you're from Wisconsin... it snows there.... this is a pretty simple topic.

What is so hard for YOU to understand. Too much snow can pose a danger to a roof, especially if it the wet snow. Around here, when people get excessive snow on their roof, many of them will use a 2 foot wide board with a long handle attached to pull off the snow toward the bottom edge of the roof. If the snow would fall off on its own accord it would be far better for the homeowner, and much safer. A little snow on the roof is not a problem, but too much snow can, and in many cases it does, cause a lot of problems.

 

[lakeroadster]

What is so hard for YOU to understand. Too much snow can pose a danger to a roof, especially if it the wet snow. Around here, when people get excessive snow on their roof, many of them will use a 2 foot wide board with a long handle attached to pull off the snow toward the bottom edge of the roof. If the snow would fall off on its own accord it would be far better for the homeowner, and much safer. A little snow on the roof is not a problem, but too much snow can, and in many cases it does, cause a lot of problems.

and again James you are making the same case as I did previously. Engineering... it's what makes it work.

I just went through installing these on my pole barn.

Each manufacturer is different, and each has their own calculations that determine the number of rows you will need and if the trusses are up to the task. A truss for a smooth metal sheathed roof engineers out to be not as strong as one for a shingled roof. This is simply because the snow / ice slides off.

So when you add snow trim to a smooth metals roof it increases the snow loading. On my building it increased the snow loading by 15%. If you've ever seen the snow drifts on a roof with snow trim it becomes obvious

On my 30 ft span width building I only needed one row. I was surprised at how strong the snow trim fabrication is.. it's a durable piece for sure.

 

[ilovevocs]

The building has to be engineered for snow loads unless your local code doesn't exist.

Can't tell from your photo but do you have a standing Sean roof or is it a lap Seam / exposed fastener system.


For the latter i use s-5. Little pricy but a very nice system.

http://m.s-5.com/snow/index.cfm?

 

[finn]

Lakeroadster, you have to realize that snow loading conditions aren't the same everywhere.

Like I said before, snowstopps aren't seen in my area on metal roofs simply because they don't work as intended. We also have to put chimneys near the peak and sewer vents out the gable end or they get sheared off.

Shingle roofs get shoveled after every 100" of seasonal snowfall. 200-300 inches is common. Self shedding steel roofs are typically retrofitted to buildings to avoid having to shovel off the accumulated snow pack.

The Roofing contractors I've spoken to recommend building a "crick" or dormer, although that brings the potential of ice tearing the steel ribbing.

 

[lakeroadster]

Lakeroadster, you have to realize that snow loading conditions aren't the same everywhere.

I used to live in Ohio, spent a few months in Hawaii, now live in Colorado a few miles from the Continental Divide. I've lived it... from no snow, to snow measured in feet.

For every application there is an engineered approach. And the one you referred to earlier is a good one

......... After building your first garage with an under eave door and metal roof, your next build has gable side garage doors, or a shingled roof.

At least mine does.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks....had it going on 20 years.

Do you have a build thread.. or something with a little more data about your '69? Love that "power adder" you have sticking through the hood

Here is a photo of my ole Warhorse...

 

[DonPowers]

As mentioned earlier, I want the snow to slide off. Forgot to mention an additional benefit of no snow on a metal roof, heat gain, as it acts like a giant solar panel. I installed a temperature sensor in the attic, mostly to see how well my insulation and venting are working. Have found that when the sun is shining, the attic space can be thirty or more degrees warmer than ambient. This difference translates to a heat savings. At night the space returns to near outdoor ambient.

 

[dfiler2]

Around here I've seen a system that is designed to break up the snow as it slides off. That way you never get that giant piece that can cause damage. I understood that the purpose to any of those systems is to control the way the snow comes off, not to keep it all up there.

 

[ABADWILLYS]

My New shop, a typical metal roofed pole barn is only a few years old. The first winter i did not have snow guards, when the snow slid off the roof, and it came off in one slide,like a avalanche the heavy wet snow compacted when it fell off the 12 foot high end and i coulndt even plow it,6 feet deep and it compacted so hard my plow rode over the top of it!. I knew that was going to be a problem. I'm in upstate NY, we get a good amount of snow. So last year I put up snow guards mostly over the doors as i also wanted to have the snow slide off, just not where the doors are! It worked pretty good, we a tremendous amount of snow last year,
The snow guards did there job, none broke, it allowed the snow to slide off, and would melt off eventually where the guards were.
I did not have permanent heat yet last winter but i did have a stack for a future heater. well the snow did take that down last year, so this summer i made and installed a uhh, snow cutter, i guess.. i look alum diamond plate about 12"w x 6 feet long and mounted it to some alum angle, and screwed it up there in a V or wedge shape past the stack, my theory is when the snow slides it will cut it and divert is past the stack Its almost January and we got no snow! the jurys still out on that one..
last year

 

[nehog]

Similar situation, and I screwed some 1.5 angle on my roof about 8 to 12 inches from the edge. Has worked perfectly. It was a low cost solution (I had a lot of the angle) and I've had no downside on it.

You're welcome to come by and take a look if you wish.

 

[jumpstart]

Do you have a build thread.. or something with a little more data about your '69? Love that "power adder" you have sticking through the hood

No, I never put a thread together for the car. Should have, but really been tinkering with it since I got it, so it's been a slow process. I'm over at Team Camaro once in a while. Also a great site to get info from.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to do something about "snow control". If it came down every storm it would be fine, but last year was just brutal. Like was said, it would come down all at once and would be a pain to move. Turned almost concrete like. Once the car's in there, it's there until spring, but my plow truck and John Deere are used all winter and pulling them out with the chance of snow coming down can be a bit unnerving.

Was going to do a garage build thread, but never really took the time. I suppose I could put something together. Took a pile of pictures.

 

[Nor'Easter]

We use snow gems.

http://www.snogem.com/cut_sheets/Polys-OriginalPolyInset-webcutsheet.pdf

 

[jumpstart]

Here is a photo of my ole Warhorse...

Very nice!

 

[lakeroadster]

Thanks...

Was going to do a garage build thread, but never really took the time. I suppose I could put something together. Took a pile of pictures.

That would be great. I always learn something from look at how others approach construction methods.