When it comes to establishing the base structure of the house, the roof’s position being exposed to the outside elements is a highly important factor to consider. One great option for reworking a roof is to install metal roofing. Metal roofing can last for decades, is low weight, and is fire resistant. Another benefit comes in the winter when snow and ice start to form. The metal causes snow and ice to slide off the roof rather than gather and risk a roof cave-in or other damage to the property. The catch to all of this is that the snow and ice have to go somewhere. So what do you do with your metal roof for the winter? You install snow guards of course.

What are snow guards?
Snow guards are a snow control tool used to control the flow, movement, and fall of snow on metal roofing. They work by allowing snow and ice to slowly slide and fall off of the rooftop in moderate amounts at a time. They come in different sizes and shapes, meant to be compatible with the sizes and shapes of different roofs. They are installed in groups on a roof typically by adhesive or metal clamps.

Why do I need a metal roofing snow guard?
So here’s the big question. And the short answer to it is: to prevent a rooftop avalanche and the damage that comes from it. A rooftop avalanche occurs when snow or ice that was built up on a roof falls down suddenly. It can be very dangerous for property and people alike. If someone were walking by the edge of the roof just before the avalanche, that person could be hit with much more than a gentle snowfall. The mass of snow or even slabs of ice could seriously injure a person especially if the person were hit on the head. That would be a horrible chance to take.

Even if the worst were not to occur, rooftop avalanches could still cause serious property damage to things like the gutter, outdoor fixtures, and any objects sitting below. That is where a metal roofing snow guard comes in. The snow guards controlling the flow of snow and ice off of the roof greatly reduce the risk of damage. Instead of the precipitation gathering and falling all at once, it falls little by little so the danger is drastically reduced. This is not only helpful to you as the property owner but to anyone in the area, unaware that there is a heavy collection of snow and ice looming overhead.

Do yourself a favor and install a metal roofing snow guard before the snowy season arrives. You do not want to be caught up in the dead of winter hoping the installer can come by and affix them to your roof before the snowfall gets too heavy. Protect your property and anyone who just might be standing under the edge of the roof and start your research for snow guards now. Look to stortz.com and find which type of metal roofing snow guard will work the best for your property. Just try to do it in time for snow.