Wintertime is associated with snow, holidays, sledding, and skiing. But at this time, a large amount of snow cover also accumulates on roofs. Under the influence of the sun, the snow melts, icicles form, which can lead to injuries and property damage. To prevent this, special complexes are used, which consist of snow guards, and brackets for fastening. The roof of the house should not only effectively protect from weather conditions, and keep the house warm, but also be safe.
Why are snow guards needed?
Many people, before installing a roof, ask themselves whether it is worth installing snow guards. Snow guards must be installed on roofs covered with metal tiles, corrugated sheets, and other metal roofing materials. They are also installed on roofs with dormer windows, especially where sudden temperature changes and heavy precipitation are often possible.
They protect not only people and objects under the roof but also the roof itself from possible scratches and damage. Snow guards prevent avalanches of large amounts of snow, and also prevent objects from falling during repair work. In many countries, the presence of snow guards is a mandatory condition for commissioning a house.
Main varieties
Snow guards are also called snow barriers, snow cutters, or snow stops depending on the functions they perform.
Snow barriers are special fences that prevent snow from falling. Natural melting occurs, during which the resulting water is drained from the roof using a drainage system.
Snow cutters – cut through the thickness of the snow cover.
Snow guards are distinguished not only by the functions they perform, but also by their shapes, designs, and materials from which they are made.
Tubular snow guards
Tubular snow guards resemble cornices in their design. They are brackets with holes, into which pipes of a certain diameter are then placed. The most durable design is considered to be one in which the distance between pipes does not exceed 10 cm.
“Important: tubular snow cutters are installed on roofs with an angle of inclination no greater than 60 degrees.”
Such snow guards are classified as snow cutters, they separate the snow layer, which prevents its avalanche-like descent. They are highly reliable and can withstand high pressure. They are used on various roofing materials – natural and metal tiles, sheet and roll materials. The color range allows you to select snow guards to match the roof.
Lattice snow guards
The appearance depends on the grating that will be used in production. These are barrier-type snow guards. The size of the grid varies between 7-20 cm. They are made of galvanized steel treated with a special coating to prevent corrosion. Such structures are used on large-area roofs with long slopes, on which snow guards are installed on several levels.
“Important: under the influence of large masses of snow, lattice snow guards can become deformed. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the reliability of the structure.”
Corner snow guards
The appearance depends on the grating that will be used in production. These are barrier-type snow guards. The size of the grid varies between 7-20 cm. They are made of galvanized steel treated with a special coating to prevent corrosion. Such structures are used on large-area roofs with long slopes, on which snow guards are installed on several levels.
“Important: under the influence of large masses of snow, lattice snow guards can become deformed. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the reliability of the structure.”
Buggies
Buggels are snow guards that are used pointwise on soft roofing. Soft roofing has an upper composite layer, which is capable of holding snow in itself. For greater roof reliability, hooks (buggels) are installed in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 50 cm from each other. Snow guards are installed directly during roof installation.
Snow guards in the form of a wooden log
Wooden logs are used as snow stops on roofs made of shingles or laths. The log is fixed in a special holder. The larger its diameter, the greater the snow retention on the roof.
Installation of snow guards on metal roofing – instructions
Snow guards are installed on metal tiles directly during the installation of the roofing material. It is recommended to perform all work according to the instructions. Before installation, it is necessary to select a snow stop that will take into account possible snow loads, and prepare all the necessary tools. All types of snow guards are used on roofs covered with metal tiles. Their location must be planned to additionally strengthen the attachment points. Snow guards are attached to a roof made of metal tiles with self-tapping screws, which are sealed with rubber gaskets.
Snow guards are attached to metal tiles not only to the roofing material but also to the sheathing elements. This will make the structure more reliable. The angle of the roof affects the distance between the fasteners. If the slope is steep, then snow guards are installed in several rows. To save money on a summer cottage, snow guards can be installed on metal tiles with your own hands – this guarantees the quality of the work performed.
“Important: to ensure that the load on the roof is uniform, tubular snow stops on metal tiles are installed along the load-bearing walls.”
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