Snow guards are rooftop devices that allow snow and ice to drop off in small amounts or allow snow and ice to melt completely before falling to the ground. The installation of snow guards prevents the sudden release of snow and ice from a roof, which is known as a roof avalanche. A roof avalanche can cause damage to people, pets, cars, landscaping, gutters, plumbing vents, lower roof areas, skylights and anything else that might be in the immediate area below your roof.
Snow guards have been around for hundreds of years and have historically been used on slate, tile and metal roofs. The first snow guards were actually limbs that were attached to the eaves of a roof, with rocks placed atop the limbs, to hold the snow back.
Metal roofs have many advantages, among them long life and near imperviousness to damage by hail and wind. They are also non-flammable -- an increasingly important virtue in areas where wildfires are a danger. Metal roofs can greatly reduce the likelihood of a home catching fire from falling embers.
There is one con with metal roofing systems though. They are prone to snow build-up that can suddenly break loose in a massive slide that covers anything below the roofline -- including patio furniture, air conditioner compressors, and other valuable items.
Unlike shingle roofs, metal roofs have a smooth surface that does not provide any resistance to keep snow from sliding off. In addition, metal roof systems absorb heat from the sun, warming the surface in a way that lubricates the layer of snow and causes it to slide off easier and faster. The danger here is not only possible property damage, but physical injury if a person happens to be standing below the edge of the roof when a huge mass of snow breaks loose. Many tons of snow can bury anything in its way, and can even smother people or pets.
In order to provide you with the best ice and snow guard solutions we install brands we have used for years, including our own in-house snow and ice guard.
With a wide variety of styles and designs, Skyproducts offers solutions for all situations. Do you need a low-cost option? The SnoFence is a great option. Need a heavy-duty guard? The X-Gard 2.0 might be perfect. The diversification of designs and styles makes Skyproducts a great choice for controlled snow evacuation.
The 1 bar, 2 bar and 3 bar snow guards are designed for use with a variety of roofing types, including steel, asphalt shingle, wood shake, and synthetic slate. They come in two styles: tube-type and individual, more unobtrusive, which can also be used residentially. Snow guards are made of durable G90 galvanized steel and are easy to install, aesthetically designed to complement roofing. They can be installed easily and protect people, property, and landscaping from the potential dangers of sudden slides of snow and ice off of roofs, in addition to helping reduce snow build-up inside gutters. They are available in a natural finish or in a wide range of colors.
The Sno Gem snow guards are made of UV-stabilized polycarbonate with a unique prismatic design to effectively suspend the snow until it melts under sunlight. Developed by the most experienced professionals in architectural sheet metal, these guards maintain a clean appearance free from rust or stains and retain toughness in extreme climate conditions. They can be matched with all standard metal roof colours and come in a wide range of custom colours, with the colour throughout the product for long-lasting vibrancy.
The McKay Shop Formed Ice Guards are custom made in our sheet metal shop from 2 layers of 26 Gauge metal. Come in various colours and are installed on ribbed steel residential and some commercial steel roofs. They are sold by the linear foot and are designed to stop snow and ice from sliding, protecting people, property, doorway entrances and landscaping.
Contact McKay Roofing for snow and ice guard installation on your metal roof.
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