What are Snow Guards and Do You Really Need Them?

If you live in a colder climate, you probably have a love-hate relationship with snow. A gentle snowfall is a beautiful scene but can wreak havoc on your home over time. As snow piles up on your roof, it can slide off in large amounts and cause damage to your gutters, landscaping, furniture, or even yourself. This is particularly true with metal roofs, due to their painted surface. However, this danger can be prevented with the installation of snow guards.

“I strongly recommend installing snow guards on your roof because it prevents damage and injury,” said Brad Newell, product training manager at EDCO Products. “Imagine you have your car parked on the driveway and all that snow on the garage releases at once. Now you potentially have damage to your car, like a broken windshield.”

Snow guards are small fixtures on the roof that hold back snow, limiting the amount that can slide off and preventing that destructive avalanche effect. These fixtures are typically placed in two rows along the roof’s edge and staggered, forming a zig-zag shape. The number of snow guards needed will vary based on your roof’s size and pitch. Newell recommends hiring a contractor to install snow guards, as proper equipment is required to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.

EDCO has snow guards custom made to match each of its roofing colors, so homeowners don’t need to worry about finding a match. The guards blend in seamlessly with your EDCO steel roofing without detracting from its style and beauty. Protect yourself and your home this winter by installing snow guards before the snow flies.