Snow Holders For Metal Tiles, Including An Overview Of The Varieties, As Well As How To Correctly Calculate And Install

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Snow protector: a necessary element of a metal roof

The peculiarity of many regions of Russia, due to their geographical location, is a severe winter. Precipitation is actively accumulating on the roofs of residential and non-residential buildings. When the cover is thin, it poses no danger. But the abundant accumulation of snow damages the roof of the building, damages property and threatens human life. To prevent snow from falling from the roof, snow holders are used.

Content

• 1 What is a snow guard
• 2 Using snow guards on a metal roof

• 3 Models of snow guards for metal tiles

  • 3.1 Tubular snow holders
  • 3.2 Lattice snow holders
  • 3.3 Corner or lamellar snow guards

• 4 Calculation of snow holders for metal tiles

  4.1 Table: calculation of snow retainers

• 5 Installation and maintenance of snow guards on a metal roof

  • 5.1 The procedure for fixing snow holders to metal tiles
  • 5.2 Video: installation of snow retention devices
  • 5.3 Maintenance of snow barriers

What is a snow holder

A snow holder or snow stop is a prefabricated structure of several metal elements, which is attached to the roof with hardware. The principle of operation of the device is the ability to retain and break up snow masses with its surfaces. An avalanche-like, uncontrolled snow melt is excluded, the layers disappear gradually. The value of the product is so great that insurance companies in Europe can deny insurance for a home if there are no snow guards on its roof.

Lack of snow guards increases the risk of accidents

Using snow guards on a metal roof

Mounting a snow stop on a metal roof is especially important. The slopes of such a roof have a smooth surface with a polymer coating applied to it. This leads to a decrease in the adhesion of the snow to the base. The conditions for the spontaneous sliding of the masses are facilitated. Due to the sharp temperature drop, the snow melts, forming an ice crust. Under the load of new precipitation, ice moves along the roof, leaving noticeable grooves and scratches. Damaged areas with damage to the galvanic layer are sources of corrosion.

The advantages of installing snow guards on metal tiles:

• prevention of unplanned snow melt;
• protection of roofing material, gutters and architectural elements of the structure from deformation;
• safety of passers-by, green spaces and cars parked near the building;
• preservation of the exterior decoration of the facade.

Depending on the operating conditions and the geometry of the metal roof, in each case, certain snow retention systems are required. There are 2 main types of device:

1. Snow cutters. The function of such devices is to divide the entire volume of snow into several smaller parts. They do not stop drifts from coming down or keep them on the roof.

   

   Tubular snow cutters are fastened to the roof with self-tapping screws

2. Snow barriers. The difference from the first system is the blocking of snow. To prevent the snow layer from pushing through the roof and frame of the building, it is necessary to clean the roof. The purchase or independent manufacture of such a system is justified only when the roof is able to withstand significant loads and has a high tensile strength.

   

   For mounting corner models, horizontal shelves are provided

Models of snow holders for metal tiles

There is a huge selection of roof snow guards on the market. Professional roofers are advised to choose a specific model, taking into account a set of factors. Among them: the volume of solid precipitation, the angle of inclination of the roof and the type of roofing material. Some snow traps are versatile, suitable for all operating conditions. Three types of products are structurally distinguished.

Tubular snow holders

Tubular products are referred to as snow cutters. They contain 2 round or oval pipes, a set of brackets (supports) for fastening to metal tiles, hardware and rubber seals. The pipes are produced in two lengths - 1 and 3 meters. The diameter varies from 15 to 30 mm. It is a common practice among builders to buy and cut a meter-long tubular snow guard into pieces of the required length.

Depending on the manufacturer, the number of brackets is 2 or 4 pieces. For aesthetics and uniqueness of the appearance of the roof, figured supports in the form of animals and plants are on sale.

Recommended support spacing is 100 cm

Each pipe is alternately inserted into the hole of the bracket, which is attached to the roof with 8x60 mm self-tapping screws or metal screws. The overall height of the snow guard can be up to 150 mm. Installation of such devices is carried out along the entire perimeter of the roof in one continuous row. When the pressure and load of the snow are high, then 2 rows of metal structures are placed at a distance of no more than three meters from each other.

Wall thickness of pipes in tubular models reaches 1.2 mm

The strength of the tubular snow guard is influenced by the gap between the roof and the down pipe. Its optimal value is 2–3 cm. The permissible distance between the pipes of the snow holder is 8–10 cm.

Lattice snow holders

Such models represent a pair of vertical posts and a lattice fixed to them. All elements are made of galvanized sheet metal and painted with powder or polymer paint to match the metal tile. Thanks to this, they are practically invisible against the background of the roof. The dimensions of the snow holder may vary. The highest ones reach 15–20 cm; there are models with a small lattice height of 5–7 cm.

Externally, lattice models resemble standard fences

Depending on the height, lattice devices retain snow blocks of different volume and weight. The higher the height, the more efficient the design.

Designs of snow stops with mechanical fastening of the lattice to the posts or welded versions are common. In the latter case, the reliability and durability of the product increases.

Installation of lattice devices is carried out in one row along the eaves of the roof. With a long slope length (more than 5.5 m) and a significant load of snow sediment, this type of snow holders is combined with plate stops.

Corner or lamellar snow holders

On the territory of the country where the volume of snowfall is insignificant, plate or corner restraining devices are installed. They are included in the nomenclature of snow barriers. The main installation area is roofs made of corrugated sheet or metal tiles.

The staggered position of the snow holders allows you to evenly distribute the load over the entire roof area

The model is a single profile made of bent sheet in the form of a triangle with shelves for attachment to the base. The height of the products is no more than 6 cm. Fastening is carried out directly to the profile of the metal tile, the wavy surface of which is not an obstacle for installation. A feature of the work is the installation of such models in a staggered arrangement along the roof ridge. As a rule, it is installed from 2 rows, up to 1 m apart from each other.

Calculation of snow holders for metal tiles

The instructions of the Grand Line company can be used to set the required number of snow guards. The calculation is carried out using a table, the variable data in which are the snow area and the angle of inclination of the roof. The intersection of these indicators determines the maximum length of the slope, at which it is required to install 1 row of snow stops. If the length of the slope is greater than the tabular one, then two-row systems are installed.

Table: calculation of snow holders

Snow region	one		2		3		4		five		6		7		8
Distance between supports, mm	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200	800	1200
Roof slope, °
Up to 15	37.7	27.1	25.2	18.3	16.8	12.2	12.6	9.1	9.4	6.9	7.5	5.5	6,3	4.6	5.4	3.9
15-25	23.1	16.8	15.4	11.2	10.3	7.5	7,7	5.6	5.8	4.2	4.6	3.4	3.9	2.8	3.3	2.4
26–37	16.2	11.8	10.8	7.9	7.2	5.2	5.4	3.9	4.1	3.0	3.2	2.4	2.7	2.0	2,3	1.7
38–45	13.8	10.0	9.2	6,7	6.1	4.5	4.6	3.3	3.5	2.5	2.8	2.0	2,3	1.7	2.0	1.4
46-55	11.9	8.7	7.9	5.8	5.3	3.9	4.0	2.9	3.0	2.2	2.4	1.7	2.0	1.4	1.7	1,2

The map of snow regions helps to select the required area of Russia (zones 1–8).

The entire territory of the country is divided into 8 zones with different snow load

Let's look at an example. It is necessary to calculate the number of snow guards that will be installed in Moscow on the roof of a building with a roof angle of 30 ° and a slope length of 6.5 m. We find Moscow on the map - zone 3. By combining the rows and columns of the table, we find that for such conditions it is possible to install 1 row of snow holders with a distance between the supports of 800 mm (since the roof length is 6.5 m less than the table value 7.2 m). But with a support pitch of 1200 mm, installation of 2 rows of devices is required (since 6.5 m is greater than 5.2 m). The number of snow retainers for all regions of the country is calculated in a similar way.

Installation and maintenance of snow guards on a roof made of metal

Installation of snow retainers is best done during roofing work. But if this did not happen, then the installation of structures can be carried out on the laid roof. So that the process does not cause difficulties even for a beginner, you need to know some of the nuances.

The procedure for fixing snow holders to metal tiles

The correct sequence of actions is very important to obtain a quality result. Installation tips:

1. The installation area of the first row of snow holders is the junction of the roof and the load-bearing wall. It is unacceptable to install a snow guard on the eaves overhang, this leads to its deformation.
2. The distance from the edge of the roof to the end of the structure must be within 500 mm. And the length of the pipe overhang (size from the edge of the pipe to the bracket) is not more than 300 mm. The second row of snow holders is spaced 2 m apart from the first.
3. It is recommended to dock tubular models with each other. And place the corner and plate in a checkerboard pattern.
4. A screwdriver and long screws are used to fix the brackets. A rubber or paronite sealant is placed under the hardware that falls on the wave of metal tiles.
5. Pipes or gratings are installed in the brackets, depending on the type of product.

When attaching the supports of the snow guards, preliminary marking of the installation sites is recommended

Video: installation of snow retention devices

Maintenance of snow holders

Even competent installation of snow stops is not a panacea for snow melting from the roof. Therefore, it is important to maintain the roofs in a timely manner during the winter. To do this, it is necessary to remove snow layers, remove icicles and icy areas.

Ice also forms on the surfaces of the snow holders themselves, which reduces their performance. These items must be manually cleaned. When performing work, one should not forget about safety precautions.

The roof is the part of the building that is most affected by the environment. Don't skimp on its improvement. Roofs with snow protectors will serve their owners for many years. Modern designs of snow stops are not only protective functions, but also decorate the house. The right device is a great decor and a sign of wealth.