SnoBar Snow Rails

SnowBreaker Snow Guards Spacing Guidelines

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 general guideline.  All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. This page should only be used only as a quick reference guide for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with up to 45 PSF ground snow load.  Always consult with an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project.  This spacing guideline does not account for snow shadows, drifting or unseasonable conditions. SnowBreaker snow guards are not designed to hold snow and ice, they help break it up to prevent the snow and ice from coming off at once. Because of the pointed shape of the SnowBreaker, sometimes they can successfully be used in isolated areas if your snow load is less than 20 PSF. Please see the Spacing Chart for Isolated Areas for the spacing guidelines. This spacing guideline page is good for up to 45PSF, if your ground snow load exceeds 45PSF please fill out our Quote Request Form for the heavy duty SnoBar/ColorBar systems.

 

Check out the new snow guard spacing calculator

Snow Guard Spacing Tool

Please Pick Your Roof Pitch Below

 

1/2 - 2/12 Roof Pitch
Layout

Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 1/12/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Use: 1 SnowBreaker per valley every 20 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker in the center of each valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 20 feet and repeat the straight line of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 20 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 40 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 20 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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. If your panel valleys are greater than 16" use chart below.

 

1/2 - 2/12 Roof Pitch
Layout

Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 1/12/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Use: 2 SnowBreakers per valley every 20 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place 2 SnowBreakers equally spaced apart in the valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 20 feet and repeat the straight line of 2 guards, equally spaced apart in every valley. Do not exceed 20 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 40 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 20 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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
Layout

Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Use: 1 per valley every 15 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker in the center of each valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 15 feet and repeat the straight line of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 30 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 15 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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. If your panel valleys are greater than 16" use chart below.

 

3/12 - 4/12 Roof Pitch
twoper

Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley every 15 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place 2 SnowBreakers equally spaced apart in the valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 15 feet and repeat the straight line of 2 guards, equally spaced apart in every valley. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 30 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 15 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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
Layout

Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch .
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 8 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker in the center of each valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 8 feet and repeat the straight line of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 8 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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. If your panel valleys are greater than 16" use chart below.

 

5/12 - 6/12 Roof Pitch
Layout

Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley for every 8 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place 2 SnowBreakers equally spaced apart in the valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 8 feet and repeat the straight line of 2 guards, equally spaced apart in every valley. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 8 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
Layout

Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch.
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 5 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker in the center of each valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 20 feet and repeat the straight line of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 6 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 10 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 5 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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. If your panel valleys are greater than 16" use chart below.

 

7/12 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
Layout

Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley for every 5 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.

If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place 2 SnowBreakers equally spaced apart in the valley, in a straight line, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof approximately 5 feet and repeat the straight line of 2 guards, equally spaced apart in every valley. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 10 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 5 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have 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.

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