Snow Guards For Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels by American Buildings, A Nucor Brand

See the Snow Guards Compatibility Chart for American Buildings (Nucor) Standing Seam Metal Roofing Panels.

Protecting your property from snow and ice accumulation hazards on a standing seam metal roof requires careful planning and the right solutions. The unique profiles of metal roof panels often necessitate specific  snow guard designs to manage the buildup of winter precipitation effectively. This article explores our snow guard options for the concealed fastener standing seam metal roofs manufactured by American Buildings, a Nucor brand. We aim to equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision that best suits your needs. This blog series continues to highlight prominent metal panel manufacturers while suggesting compatible snow guard solutions, empowering you to navigate this process confidently. Our objective is to provide expert guidance, enabling you to select the appropriate snow guards for your metal roofing system, safeguard your investment, and ensure your property's and its occupants' safety.

American Buildings: A Legacy of Quality and Innovation

American Buildings, a Nucor brand, is a leading manufacturer of custom-engineered steel building systems, renowned for its advanced technology, flexible designs, and long-lasting quality. Originating as a small, Georgia-based regional fabricator in 1947, the company has experienced tremendous growth, now operating full-service plants across multiple states. Their success comes from their expanding network of design-build contractors, with nearly a thousand partners across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. As a brand under Nucor Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and North America's largest steel producer and recycler, American Buildings benefits from substantial financial muscle and stability. They prioritize sustainability, with all their products and metal building systems manufactured in the United States using American steel from Nucor.

Loc Seam & Loc Seam 360 Roof Panels

The Loc Seam and Loc Seam 360 are standing seam roof panel systems designed to offer a sleek, architecturally appealing aesthetic. These panels feature a flat profile with subtle striations and the option for pencil ribs, making them well-suited for buildings with hips and valleys. Both systems share a panel width of 16 inches and a rib height of 2 inches, available in either 24-gauge or 22-gauge Galvalume® or galvanized steel. The key distinction lies in the seam type. While the Loc Seam employs a mechanically seamed, snap-together seam, the Loc Seam 360 features a fully enclosed 360° rolled seam. This standing seam design minimizes the need for through-fasteners, enhancing weather-tightness compared to other roofing systems. Both the Loc Seam and Loc Seam 360 incorporate a sliding clip system that accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, preventing potential damage to the panels. The Loc Seam 360's fully enclosed seam offers superior seam strength and weather resistance, making it a more robust option for demanding environments. Regardless of the chosen system, these panels from American Buildings provide a visually appealing and durable roofing solution. See the Snow Guards Compatibility Chart for American Buildings (Nucor) Loc Seam & Loc Seam 360 Standing Seam Metal Roofing Panels.

These versatile metal roofing panels accommodate various snow retention solutions. Loc Seam panels present an excellent surface for installing polycarbonate snow guards. Proper adhesive application is crucial to prevent moisture ingress and subsequent refreezing or detachment issues. When using glue-down polycarbonate snow guards with these panels, a thicker application of Surebond SB-190 adhesive may be necessary to compensate for the panels' optional striations, ensuring a secure and reliable attachment. Customers can select from several polycarbonate options, ranging from larger guards like the IceJax II, Snojax II, and SnoBlox Ace to smaller alternatives such as the SnoBlox Deuce and IceJax I, effectively retaining snow and ice on their roofs. The SnowBreaker and SnowBreaker 3M products facilitate safer snow and ice shedding by breaking the snowpack into smaller, more manageable pieces. These panels' rib design ensures compatibility with clamp-on snow guards, including SnoCleat RC, SnoCleat RCT, SnoBar, and ColorBar systems, offering flexibility in attachment options. Standard SnoBar clamps are made from stainless steel, while RoofClamp attachments are aluminum with stainless steel cupped tip set screws.

Standing Seam II & Standing Seam 360

The Standing Seam 360 and Standing Seam II are two metal roofing panels American Buildings Company offers. Both panels feature 24 inches of coverage with tall 3-inch ribs. This panel has a minimum recommended roof slope of 1/4:12 pitch. It is available in either 22 or 24-gauge steel with a choice of galvanized G90 or aluminum-zinc alloy AZ50/AZ55 coating. The pre-painted finish options are the highly durable SmartKote PVDF or the energy-efficient SP-COOL silicone-polyester coatings. The concealed clip attachment system allows these panels to expand and contract with temperature changes. These systems have achieved prestigious code approvals, including UL Class 90 wind uplift, FM approval, and Miami-Dade certification. They have also undergone rigorous ASTM testing for wind uplift resistance, air infiltration prevention, water penetration resistance, and fire performance, achieving a Class A fire rating. The Standing Seam 360 utilizes a 360-degree double-locked, vertical leg seam formed by an electrical seaming machine to enhance weather-tightness. The 360 and II systems are ideal for new construction or retrofit roofing applications. You can install them over light gauge structural framing. See the Snow Guards Compatibility Chart for American Buildings (Nucor) Standing Seam II & Standing Seam 360 Metal Roofing Panels.

These metal roofing panels accommodate various snow retention solutions. They each provide an excellent surface for adhering to polycarbonate snow guards. Proper adhesive application is crucial to prevent moisture intrusion and subsequent issues like refreezing or detachment. Customers can choose from several snow guard options, ranging from larger solutions like the IceJax II, Snojax II, and SnoBlox Ace to smaller alternatives such as the SnoBlox Deuce and IceJax I, effectively retaining snow and ice on their roofs. The SnowBreaker and SnowBreaker 3M products facilitate safer snow and ice shedding by breaking the snowpack into smaller, more manageable chunks. These panels' rib designs ensure compatibility with clamp-on snow guards, including SnoCleat RC, SnoCleat RCT, SnoBar, and ColorBar systems, offering flexibility in attachment options. Standard SnoBar Clamps are made from stainless steel, while RoofClamp attachments are aluminum with cupped-tip stainless steel set screws. When using glue-down polycarbonate snow guards with this panel, a thicker application of Surebond SB-190 adhesive may be necessary to compensate for the panel's striations, ensuring a secure and reliable installation.

American Buildings Snow Guards Compatibility Chart

Snow Guard Selection for Standing Seam Roofing by American Buildings

Ensuring Seamless Integration with Color-Matched Solutions

Our metal snow retention products offer color-matching capabilities, allowing them to blend with your roof's aesthetic. The manufacturers design the SnoCleat RC, SnoCleat RCT, and ColorBar Snow rail systems to accommodate slide-in metal strips that match the system's face to the color of your roof.

You can purchase these strips with the system or create them using leftover roofing materials from the job site. Additionally, we provide custom powder coating services for our metal snow retention systems. However, this option may require additional lead times and charges.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Screw-Down Snow Guards on Standing Seam Roofs

Installing screw-down snow guards or rails on standing seam metal roofs is a recipe for disaster. This approach puts your panels at risk due to the roof's floating nature and thermal expansion. Potential consequences include leaks, costly repairs, and voided warranties. Instead, opt for clamp-style or adhesive-mounted snow retention systems for standing seam roofs to ensure a secure and compatible installation.

Timing is Everything for Glue-Down Snow Guard Systems

While clamp-on guards and rail systems can be installed year-round, timing is crucial for glue-down polycarbonate snow guards. The industry-standard adhesive, Surebond SB-190, requires approximately 28 days at 50°F to cure fully. Plan your glue-down installation for optimal results in the USA and Canada during late spring or early summer. After 24 hours, rain should not pose any issues for the adhesive. We do not recommend using Surebond SB-190 on copper roofs because potential chemical reactions could accelerate panel corrosion.

Unleashing the Power of IceStoppers

When utilizing SnoBar or ColorBar Snow Rail Systems on standing seam roofs, we highly recommend incorporating IceStopper attachments, especially in areas above high-traffic zones like pedestrian walkways and parking areas. IceStoppers can be installed during the initial setup or added later as a retrofit option. Proper IceStopper spacing is crucial for effectively managing snow and ice accumulation. The need for IceStoppers becomes more critical as seam heights increase beyond 1", as dangerous ice can slide under the bar on taller seams if not protected by IceStoppers.

Understanding Ground Snow Load for Optimal Snow Retention

Knowing the ground snow load is essential when choosing snow retention systems for metal roofs. Most individual guards and rail systems can easily handle up to 45 psf (pounds per square foot). However, you'll need snow rails with enhanced holding capacity for geographic regions with higher ground snow loads because individual pad-style snow guards are insufficient for these scenarios. If your roof panels are incompatible with snow rails and your ground snow load exceeds 45 psf, contact the panel's manufacturer for their recommended snow guard solution. To determine your ground snow load, contact your local building inspector or search online for your town name, followed by "ground snow load."

Optimizing Layout for Peak Performance

Regardless of your snow retention system, getting the layout right is critical for optimal performance. We've provided free advice, resources, and tools like our spacing charts and custom quote request forms. Your snow retention system should span the entire roof length, typically with multiple rows ascending the slope to distribute the weight evenly. Workers should install individual guards in staggered patterns and mount snow rail systems in straight lines. Avoid isolated snow guards above specific areas, which can lead to system failure due to overloading. If using SnowBreaker, the rules for isolated placement are somewhat different, and we offer guidelines for these installations.

Test Before Investing: Ensuring Compatibility

Before placing your main order, it's crucial to test fit any snow guards, clamps, brackets, or IceStoppers to ensure compatibility with your project. Our website allows you to order samples without minimums, and we also offer 27" and 20" bar sample kits. Investing in samples can prevent costly mistakes during installation, so consider it a wise precaution.

Conclusion

At first glance, picking the appropriate snow guards for your project might seem overwhelming. However, this blog has equipped you with the tools to make an informed decision confidently. As this series progresses, you can anticipate more valuable information in upcoming articles, including specifics on additional roof panel brands. When you're ready to purchase snow guards, collaborating with a reputable company prioritizing accessibility and responsiveness is crucial. They should be able to address your queries and provide the support you require. SnoBlox-Snojax consistently delivers on this front. If you have any questions or wish to place an order, feel free to contact us at support@snojax.com or 1-800-766-5291. Furthermore, explore our  "Snow Guard Buyer's Guide" and "What Works and What Doesn't" pages in the resources tab on our website for more insights to help you make the best choice. With this information, you'll be well-prepared to find the perfect snow guards that meet your needs.

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.