SnowCatcher - SnoCleat PBR - Snojax - SnoBlox and IceJax
In areas with high winter precipitation, the accumulation of snow and ice on shiny painted metal roofs can create very dangerous avalanche conditions. A properly installed snow retention system can mitigate this condition. Our approach to proper placement includes full patterns of snow guards across the entire roof surface to prevent snow and ice from moving in the first place. When frozen precipitation loses its footing on the metal roof and begins to slide down the slope, it destroys anything in its path. Snow guards just placed along the edges of eaves do not always adequately protect against this dangerous condition. The even distribution of snow loads ensures the long-term integrity of the structure itself, the metal roof, and the snow retention system. Snow guards installed on partial roof sections, such as just over doorways or roof stacks, are not recommended. Select a pitch below for a general guideline. Snow guards must be installed on all upper roof surfaces before they are attached to a lower roof. Use this page only as a quick reference guide for estimating the amount and placement of snow retention devices on roofs with ground snow loads up to 45 PSF. Always consult an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project. This snow retention placement guideline does not take into account snow shadows, snowdrifts, or unusual conditions.. If your ground snow load exceeds 45 PSF, please fill out our Quote Request Form for the heavy-duty SnoBar and ColorBar systems.
Pick Your Roof Pitch
1/2 - 2/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Panel: Snow guards staggered in every panel flat
Pitch: 1/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Layout: Staggered pattern of snow guards every 25 feet going up the roof.
If your metal roof panels are only mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow guards must be screwed into the purlins or firing strips. If your metal panels are placed on decking, make sure your decking is adequate to secure the snow guards. Place your first staggered pattern of snow guards in, every other panel flat, along the Eave Strut (1 foot from the bottom edge on decking). Then move up to the first purlin above the eave strut (2 foot up from the bottom edge on decking) and place a snow guard in the center of each valley, alternating from the row below to create a staggered pattern that spans across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 25 feet and repeat the same staggered pattern of guards across the entire roof. Do not exceed 25 feet vertically between staggered patterns of snow guards. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between patterns of snow guards. Please note that our spacing is based on metal panels attached directly to a flat decking surface such as plywood or osb. If your metal roof panels are attached to horizontal purlins (strips of wood that leave an air gap between the roof structure and the panels) then you will need to modify the staggering of the rows to ensure that your fasteners are getting into solid structural wood. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
3/12 - 4/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Panel: Snow guards staggered in every panel flat
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Layout: Staggered pattern of snow guards every 20 feet going up the roof.
If your metal roof panels are only mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow guards must be screwed into the purlins or firing strips. If your metal panels are placed on decking, make sure your decking is adequate to secure the snow guards. Place your first staggered pattern of snow guards in, every other panel flat, along the Eave Strut (1 foot from the bottom edge on decking). Then move up to the first purlin above the eave strut (2 foot up from the bottom edge on decking) and place a snow guard in the center of each valley, alternating from the row below to create a staggered pattern that spans across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 20 feet and repeat the same staggered pattern of guards across the entire roof. Do not exceed 20 feet vertically between staggered patterns of snow guards. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between patterns of snow guards. It is highly recommended to screw into a purlin or structural support. This spacing recommendation can be slightly adjusted to accommodate locations of the structural support and purlins under the metal roof sheets. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
5/12 - 6/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Panel: Snow guards staggered in every panel flat
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load
Layout: Staggered pattern of snow guards every 10 feet going up the roof.
If your metal roof panels are only mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow guards must be screwed into the purlins or firing strips. If your metal panels are placed on decking, make sure your decking is adequate to secure the snow guards. Place your first staggered pattern of snow guards in, every other panel flat, along the Eave Strut (1 foot from the bottom edge on decking). Then move up to the first purlin above the eave strut (2 foot up from the bottom edge on decking) and place a snow guard in the center of each valley, alternating from the row below to create a staggered pattern that spans across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 10 feet and repeat the same staggered pattern of guards across the entire roof. Do not exceed 10 feet vertically between staggered patterns of snow guards. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between patterns of snow guards. It is highly recommended to screw into a purlin or structural support. This spacing recommendation can be slightly adjusted to accommodate locations of the structural support and purlins under the metal roof sheets. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
7/12 - 8/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Panel: Snow guards staggered in every panel flat.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 8/12 pitch.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Layout: Staggered pattern of snow guards every 6 feet going up the roof.
If your metal roof panels are only mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow guards must be screwed into the purlins or firing strips. If your metal panels are placed on decking, make sure your decking is adequate to secure the snow guards. Place your first staggered pattern of snow guards in, every other panel flat, along the Eave Strut (6" from the bottom edge on decking). Then move up to the first purlin above the eave strut (1 foot up from the bottom edge on decking) and place a snow guard in the center of each valley, alternating from the row below to create a staggered pattern that spans across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 6 feet and repeat the same staggered pattern of guards across the entire roof. Do not exceed 6 feet vertically between staggered patterns of snow guards. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between patterns of snow guards. It is highly recommended to screw into a purlin or structural support. This spacing recommendation can be slightly adjusted to accommodate locations of the structural support and purlins under the metal roof sheets. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
9/12 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Panel: Snow guards staggered in every panel flat Pitch: 9/12 up to 12/12 pitch.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Layout: Staggered pattern of snow guards every 5 feet going up the roof.
If your metal roof panels are only mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow guards must be screwed into the purlins or firing strips. If your metal panels are placed on decking, make sure your decking is adequate to secure the snow guards. Place your first staggered pattern of snow guards in, every other panel flat, along the Eave Strut (6 inches from the bottom edge on decking). Then move up to the first purlin above the eave strut (1 foot up from the bottom edge on decking) and place a snow guard in the center of each valley, alternating from the row below to create a staggered pattern that spans across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 5 feet and repeat the same staggered pattern of guards across the entire roof. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between staggered patterns of snow guards. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between patterns of snow guards. It is highly recommended to screw into a purlin or structural support. This spacing recommendation can be slightly adjusted to accommodate locations of the structural support and purlins under the metal roof sheets. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
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Disclaimer
This page may be used only for the purpose of developing plans, specifications and/or approval drawings for construction projects utilizing only IceBlox, Inc. manufactured or distributed products and components. It is to be used only as a quick reference for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with less than 45 PSF ground snow load.
IceBlox Inc., d.b.a SnoBlox-Snojax, referred to hereafter as IceBlox, Inc., or any subsidiary brands or companies, is not responsible for estimates or purchases resulting from the erroneous or improper use of this page or snowguardspacingtool.com.
The user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use and assumes all risks of its use or handling. In regards to spacing guidelines, quotations and or layouts, Iceblox, Inc. will not be held liable for incorrect material quantities not recommended on snowguardspacingtool.com, metalroofsnowguards.com and/or SnoBlox-Snojax.com
