With cold snaps, freezing and sub-zero temperatures hitting much of the U.S. and Canada, warmer springtime weather feels very far away indeed.
The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) cautions that in areas that experience heavy snow accumulation, taking steps to prevent rooftop avalanches–which have the potential to release thousands of pounds of snow accumulation in a split second–can help safeguard people and property during severe winter weather.
Understanding how different metal roofs perform under heavy snow and ice accumulation is the first step to avoiding a potential accident or tragedy. Finishes such as stone-coated metal roofs have a rougher surface texture which works to reduce the danger of rooftop “avalanching” by preventing snow from releasing in large, heavy and damaging sheets. Smooth metal roofing panels, whether painted or left unfinished, have much slicker surfaces and therefore, may require the use of quality snow guards. Snow guards are designed to hold back rooftop snow and allow it to melt more gradually and predictably to help prevent accidents.
While snow guards may seem like a simple concept, a well-designed system is based on math and science–not guesswork. If basic engineering principles are not followed, snow retention systems can be rendered ineffective–an accident waiting to happen. That’s why, when installing and designing an effective snow guard rooftop system, homeowners and their installers/snow guard designers should:
Homeowners also need to be aware that even with the potential of danger, there are currently no building or governmental codes, standards or requirements for the proper installation and use of snow guards. That means, ensuring your installer or roofing professional is using quality products from reputable manufacturers and following best practices set out by organizations such as the Metal Construction Association (MCA) is important. Download MCA’s “Qualifying Snow Retention Systems For Metal Roofing”, free at https://metalconstruction.org/index.php/online-education/Snow-Retention.
“No matter what the finish, quality metal roofs perform extremely well and are strong enough to stand up to heavy snow and ice. Be sure to select either a stone coated finish that offers inherent protection against rooftop avalanches, or install a reliable, well-designed snow guard system for smooth finish metal roofs. Either can provide peace of mind and protect your home and family during severe winter weather for many years to come,” said Renee Ramey, MRA Executive Director.