Snow Guard Spacing Guidelines
In parts of the world that receive winter precipitation, snow and ice on glossy coated metal roofing can create an extremely dangerous avalanche condition. A properly installed snow guard system can mitigate this condition. Our approach to proper placement involves an overall spacing throughout the entire roof area to keep snow and ice from shifting initially. Once frozen precipitation loses its grip on a metal roof and begins a down-hill slide, everything in its path will be destroyed. A row of guards placed along the eave or gutter edge of the roof is not always enough protection against this dangerous condition. An evenly distributed snow load will preserve the long-term integrity of the actual structure, metal roof and snow retention system. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not recommended. Select your pitch below to get a general spacing guideline.. This page should only be used only as a quick reference guide for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with less than 45 PSF ground snow load. Always consult with an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project.
| 1/2 - 2/12 Pitch | 3/12 - 4/12 Pitch | 5/12 - 6-12 Pitch | 7-12 - 12-12 Pitch |
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 1/2/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 15 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard in the center of each valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 15 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 26 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 13 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. For panels wider than 16", please scroll down to see the next drawing below.
Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 1/2/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley every 15 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 foot from the bottom edge, place 2 snow guards equally spaced apart in the valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 15 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in every valley as placed below. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 26 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 13 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines.
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 10 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard in the center of each valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 10 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 10 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 8 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. For panels wider than 16", please scroll down to see the next drawing below.
Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley every 10 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 foot from the bottom edge, place 2 snow guards equally spaced apart in the valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 10 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in every valley as placed below. Do not exceed 10 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 8 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines.
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch .
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 8 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 6 inches from the bottom edge, place a snow guard in the center of each valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 8 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 12 feet long, your roof would require a row at 6 inches from the bottom and at 6 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. For panels wider than 16", please scroll down to see the next drawing below.
Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley for every 8 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 6 inches from the bottom edge, place 2 snow guards equally spaced apart in the valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 8 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in every valley as placed below. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 12 feet long, your roof would need a row at 6 inches from the bottom and at 6 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines.
7/12 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch .
Use: 1 snow guard per valley every 5 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 6 inches from the bottom edge, place a snow guard in the center of each valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 5 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in the center of every valley. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 8 feet long, your roof would require a row at 6 inches from the bottom and at 4 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. For panels wider than 16", please scroll down to see the next drawing below.
Panel: Valley width between 16 inches and 24 inches.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch.
Use: 2 snow guards per valley for every 5 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 6 inches from the bottom edge, place 2 snow guards equally spaced apart in the valley, in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 5 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards in every valley as placed below. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 8 feet long, your roof would require a row at 6 inches from the bottom and at 4 feet up from the bottom. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines.
Disclaimer
This page may be used only for the purpose of developing plans, specifications and/or approval drawings for construction projects utilizing only IceBlox, Inc. manufactured or distributed products and components. It is to be used only as a quick reference for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with less than 45 PSF ground snow load.
IceBlox Inc., d.b.a SnoBlox-Snojax, referred to hereafter as IceBlox, Inc., or any subsidiary brands or companies, is not responsible for estimates or purchases resulting from the erroneous or improper use of this page or snowguardspacingtool.com.
The user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use and assumes all risks of its use or handling. In regards to spacing guidelines, quotations and or layouts, Iceblox, Inc. will not be held liable for incorrect material quantities not recommended on snowguardspacingtool.com and/or SnoBlox-Snojax.com