Snow Guards For Ash & Lacy Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels

"What Are the Best Snow Guards for Metal Roofs?"

Winter presents unique challenges for buildings with standing seam metal roofs, primarily due to the potential for sudden snow and ice slides. These unexpected events can be hazardous to nearby people, pets, and property. The smooth surface of these roofs increases the likelihood of snow and ice sliding off, making effective snow retention systems crucial for safety. To address this issue, contractors can tailor snow guards and rail systems to suit various roof designs, enhancing overall safety. When implementing these systems, it's vital to consider factors such as the roof's pitch, panel layout, and local weather conditions. A range of educational resources is available to help property owners make well-informed decisions, including informative blog posts and a comprehensive database of compatible metal panel manufacturers. Emphasizing these educational tools and innovative solutions can significantly reduce the risks associated with snow and ice accumulation, creating safer environments in areas prone to heavy snowfall. This proactive approach directly addresses the specific winter challenges faced by buildings with standing seam metal roofs, ultimately helping protect people and property from potential harm.

Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels by Ash & Lacy

Ash & Lacy's story begins in the mid-1800s, with its roots tracing back to 1857 when Joseph Ash founded his company. The partnership defining the company's future came to fruition in 1864 when Joseph Ash joined forces with John Pierce Lacy, giving birth to Ash & Lacy. This collaboration set the stage for over a century and a half of growth and innovation in various industrial sectors. The company's journey through the 20th century saw significant developments, particularly from the 1970s onward. Ash & Lacy Steel Products emerged in 1970. They later introduced innovative building solutions in the 1980s. The company's structure evolved further in 1989 with the establishment of Ash & Lacy Building Systems. The turn of the millennium brought new ownership under Hill & Smith Holdings plc before Jonathan Evans acquired the company in 2011, ushering in a new era of expansion and innovation. Ash & Lacy has consistently broadened its product range and manufacturing capabilities throughout its history. The company has introduced numerous groundbreaking products since the late 1980s, including specialized fixing and grid systems, facade products, and standing seam solutions. This commitment to innovation has been a driving force behind the company's longevity and success. In recent years, Ash & Lacy has continued its growth trajectory, opening new manufacturing facilities across the UK and acquiring complementary businesses. The company's efforts in international expansion were recognized in 2020 when featured in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. Ash & Lacy is a well-established player in various markets, including construction, automotive, acoustic, and audio, focusing on engineered facade and roofing systems. The company's ability to adapt and innovate over 150 years has solidified its position as an enduring force in the industry.

Standing Seam

Ash & Lacy's Standing Seam system is a versatile roof and wall cladding solution that has been a staple in the UK construction industry for over 30 years. It features standard panel widths of 300mm (11.811") and 400mm (15.748"), with a 50mm (1.9685") seam height, and can be manufactured in lengths of up to 30 meters (98.4252'), minimizing end laps for a sleek appearance. The system is available in various materials and thicknesses, including aluminum (0.9mm, 1.2mm), steel (0.7mm, 0.9mm), copper (0.6mm, 0.7mm), and zinc (0.7mm, 0.8mm). It can be installed on roof pitches as low as 1.5 degrees, making it suitable for diverse architectural designs. The Standing Seam system ensures durability across weather conditions while promoting efficient water drainage. It has been successfully used in notable projects like Sandwell College in Birmingham and includes the BBA Certified AshZip variant. The Standing Seam system combines quality, versatility, and performance, making it a popular choice for public and private sector projects among specifiers and contractors.

This roofing system is versatile in its compatibility with various snow retention solutions, particularly those that utilize adhesive-mounted polycarbonate components. Proper application of adhesives is crucial to avoid problems such as refreezing and detachment, which can arise when moisture collects between the snow guards and the roof panels. Due to this panel's striations, a thicker application will be necessary for a correct fit. Customers have a range of options, including larger units like IceJax II, Snojax II, and SnoBlox Ace, as well as more compact alternatives such as the Deuce and IceJax I. To enhance safety during controlled snow and ice release, we recommend using the SnowBreaker and SnowBreaker 3M. The unique bulb-shaped rib design of this panel allows for the use of some of our clamp-on snow guards and rail systems, such as the SnoCleat RCT and the SnoBar or ColorBar systems when mounted with the RoofClamp RCT in either an RCB-3 or Double-Bar style. *It's important to note that this panel is incompatible with standard SnoBar clamps or RoofClamp RC. Testing a clamp sample before finalizing an order is advisable to ensure proper fit. Given that aluminum and copper roof panels are softer than steel panels, it may be necessary to incorporate additional rows during the installation of clamp-on snow retention to compensate for the lower strength of the panels. **Individual polycarbonate glue-down snow guards are not recommended for this panel's curved configurations. These guards require a flat surface for proper attachment, which is impossible on curved panels. We recommend clamp-on bar systems or SnoCleats for optimal snow retention on radiused panels.

Ash & Lacy Compatibility Chart for Snow Guards

Optimize Your Roof's Aesthetics with Color-Matched Snow Guards

Enhance your roof's appearance by selecting snow retention systems that complement its design. Explore options like custom powder-coated guards or products with color-coordinated metal inserts. Consider local powder coating services or try painting the guards for a quick, cost-effective solution.

Address Ice-Related Challenges

In areas prone to icing, incorporate specialized components like IceStopper snow rail accessories into your snow retention system. Properly selecting and placing these items is crucial, especially for roofs with higher seams, to combat ice-related issues effectively.

Schedule Installation Strategically

For adhesive-mounted systems, plan your installation during warmer months, preferably in late spring or early summer. Consider ambient temperatures when determining curing times for optimal adhesion. High-quality adhesives, like our preferred glue, Surebond SB-190, require several weeks at moderate temperatures to fully set—28 days at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above, to be precise.

Verify System Compatibility

Before installing, test-fit our system components to ensure they're compatible with your roof type. This crucial step helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures smooth integration. To facilitate testing, consider purchasing individual system parts and accessories separately.

Safeguard Your Entire Roof Surface

Develop a comprehensive approach to protecting your entire roof. Consider implementing multiple rows of evenly distributed snow retention elements to prevent stress concentration in specific areas. Use our resources, such as spacing guidelines and quote request tools, to ensure optimal placement.

Customize Your Snow Retention Strategy Based on Local Conditions

Before selecting a system, research your area's typical snowfall amounts or ground snow load. Simple guards or basic rail setups may suffice in regions with moderate snow (less than 45 psf ground load). Invest in more robust rail systems for areas with heavier snowfall to ensure adequate protection.

Maintain Your Roof's Structural Integrity

When selecting attachment methods, prioritize options that preserve your roof's integrity, especially for standing seam metal roofing. Consider non-penetrating, surface-mounted solutions like clamp-on or adhesive-based systems to maintain weatherproofing and uphold warranty conditions.

Conclusion

SnoBlox-Snojax provides excellent customer support for snow guard installations, focusing on long-lasting solutions rather than quick fixes. Our main goal is to help customers understand our products thoroughly. We offer personalized assistance and various online resources to equip clients with the knowledge and tools they need for successful installations. Customers have direct access to our support team and can use practical guides to get the most out of our products. We are committed to quality and customer satisfaction. To aid decision-making, we've created helpful resources like a Snow Guard Buyer's Guide and a "What Works and What Doesn't" page. We encourage customers needing help with their orders to contact our support team by phone or email for guidance. Our customer support approach aims to empower clients with the necessary knowledge and tools for effective snow guard installations, ensuring a great experience and excellent results for everyone.

Disclaimer

The views, recommendations, and information presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the featured panel manufacturer, its brands, subsidiaries, or parent companies. Customers are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to the roof panel manufacturer for inquiries regarding snow guard compatibility with their products, as well as to address any potential warranty issues that may arise following the installation of our products.