Snow Guards for Standing Seam Roof Panels by Classic Metal Roofing Systems

The metal roofing market today offers customers an extensive selection of panel options. While having numerous choices may seem helpful initially, they can also lead to decision fatigue. This continuing blog series aims to spotlight prominent metal panel manufacturers and offer recommendations for compatible snow guard solutions. We strive to empower customers to make informed choices by steering them through this process, ensuring they feel confident and not overwhelmed.

Classic Metal Roofing Systems: Aluminum and Steel Concealed Fastener Metal Roof Panels

Classic Metal Roofing Systems is a premier manufacturer of residential metal roofing panels and shingles headquartered in Piqua, Ohio. As a division of the "Isaiah Industries family of companies," Classic Metal Roofing Systems dedicated itself to operating as a "Kingdom Business," blending faith and business operations without fear. Since 1980, Classic Metal Roofing Systems has produced 100% American-made metal shingles and roof panels from high-quality materials. While initially focused on commercial roofing, Classic's products have gained popularity among homeowners and residential contractors, solidifying the company's position as the residential metal panel and shingle market leader. Committed to manufacturing energy-efficient and lifetime roofing solutions, Classic Metal Roofing Systems operates out of nearly 200,000 square feet of facilities. As a 2nd-generation, privately held company, Classic proudly offers "The World's Most Beautiful Metal Roofs" to its customers.

ClickLock Premium Standing Seam Metal Roofing

When people first consider a metal roof, they often picture the vertical panel designs commonly seen on barns and commercial buildings. These "standing seam" metal roofs feature raised seams that interlock the panels together, providing the excellent protection and longevity that metal is known for. This "commercial" or "agricultural" style of metal roofing is standard for many restaurants, farm structures, and other buildings. However, Classic's ClickLock Standing Seam offers a similar aesthetic that can work well for residential homes.

The ClickLock Standing Seam is a premium aluminum roofing solution featuring narrow 12" panels with 1-3/4" tall seams that provide added weather protection with a clean appearance and no exposed fasteners. Specialized fastening clips allow the metal to expand naturally and contract without developing unsightly ripples or buckles, ensuring durable, long-term performance. The panels are .032" thick and are intended for roofs with a minimum roof pitch of 2:12. With 13 available colors; you can find an option that beautifully complements your home's aesthetic. The durable PVDF coatings withstand the elements, giving you peace of mind and a roof you can depend on.

The ClickLock panel's overall design offers various options for retaining snow. It pairs effectively with glue-down polycarbonate snow guards. The PVDF coating on the panel creates a barrier over the aluminum, which should prevent potential oxidation issues caused by the Surebond SB-190 adhesive. However, we advise contacting the panel manufacturer before ordering. This panel features a non-striated flat surface, requiring minimal preparation before installing pad-style snow guards. To achieve optimal attachment of glue-down snow guards, clean the installation areas on the metal panels with rubbing alcohol or simple soap and water to remove any oils and debris. Doing this will ensure a secure bond. Moisture seeping under the guards through gaps could freeze and expand, potentially dislodging the guard from the roof panel and causing failure.

For those preferring snow guards with a large footprint, the IceJax II, Snojax II, and SnoBlox Ace stand out as top choices for this panel. Conversely, those seeking a robust yet compact option may favor the SnoBlox Deuce and IceJax I. Customers aiming to allow controlled snow and ice shedding, breaking them into safer pieces, may find the SnowBreaker or SnowBreaker 3M products ideal. This panel's rib shape ensures compatibility with our clamp-on snow guards, such as the SnoCleat RC, SnoCleat RCT, SnoBar, and ColorBar systems. Our snow rail systems allow you to effortlessly install them using the standard stainless steel SnoBar Clamps or the aluminum RoofClamp attachment options. Because aluminum is softer than galvanized steel, it may be necessary to install additional rows of clamp on rails to account for this difference in strength.

We strongly advise against installing screw-down pad-style guards such as our Snojax I, stainless steel SnowCatcher, or aluminum SnoCleat PBR onto a standing seam roof panel. Unlike roofs with exposed fasteners like PBR and R-Panel styles, standing seam roof panels are elevated above the roof structure and secured using a crimping method with a series of mechanically fastened clamps utilizing concealed fasteners. Due to their installation method, it's crucial to avoid piercing the panels, as it may cause deformation during expansion and contraction cycles, harming the panel's integrity. Panel penetration also increases the risk of roof leaks and often voids the manufacturer's warranty.

Universal Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Classic produces Universal Standing Seam panels from G90 galvanized steel .0216" thick. The 16" wide seam spacing makes them suitable for large and small structures. The 1.5" tall interlocking vertical seams offer great watertightness, even on lower-pitch roofs. Installation is fast and easy with the built-in fastening hem, which is concealed from view and has slotted holes to allow for the metal's natural expansion and contraction.

The universal steel metal roofing panels are available at custom lengths. Alternatively, standard 6', 10', and 12' lengths are well-suited for smaller accent roofs like porches and overhangs. They can be cut on-site or joined together with horizontal laps. The ten available colors complement many homes and accent roofs. The robust baked-on PVDF coatings are designed for top performance in all climates, backed by a fade and chalk resistance warranty, ensuring a long-lasting, reliable roof for your home.

The Universal Standing Seam is for roofs with a 2:12 minimum slope. This panel's flat design and its seams' configuration enable various choices for snow retention. This panel works exceptionally well with glue-down polycarbonate snow guards. This panel features a non-striated flat, requiring little prep before installing snow guards. You should clean the installation locations on the metal panels with soap and water or rubbing alcohol to remove any debris and oils from the panel, ensuring optimal attachment for glue-down, pad-style guards. Any gaps under the snow guards can allow moisture to creep under the guards. This water has the potential to freeze and expand, which could dislodge the guard from the roof panel.

If a more prominent snow guard is preferred, the IceJax II and SnoBlox Ace are excellent choices for this panel. At the same time, customers choose the SnoBlox Deuce and IceJax I if they want a strong snow guard with a smaller footprint. Customers who desire to allow the snow and ice to shed but want to slow it down and break it into smaller, safer pieces can opt for the SnowBreaker or SnowBreaker 3M products. This panel's rib shape makes it compatible with our clamp-on snow guards, including the SnoCleat RC and SnoCleat RCT and the SnoBar and ColorBar systems. Contractors and homeowners can install our snow rail systems with standard stainless steel SnoBar clamps or aluminum RoofClamp attachments.

We never recommend screwing pad-style guards like our polycarbonate Snojax I, stainless steel SnowCatcher, or aluminum SnoCleat PBR onto a standing seam roof panel. Unlike exposed fastener roofs like PBR and R-Panel, standing seam roof panels "float" above the roof structure. Installers mount these panels with a series of mechanically fastened hidden clips. Because of how they install standing seam roof panels, you should avoid penetrating them at all costs. Penetrating the panels can deform the penetrations during expansion and contraction, damaging the panel. It can cause roof leaks and a loss of your roof's manufacturer's warranty.

Seven Considerations Before Purchasing and Installing Snow Guards on MBCI Standing Seam Roofing

1. Does It Matter What Time of Year I Install Glue-Down Snow Guards?

You can install clamp-on snow guards and rail systems anytime, so long as the roof is clear of snow, ice, and debris. However, the timing for applying glue-down snow guards requires careful consideration. The industry-standard adhesive, Surebond SB-190, typically needs approximately 28 days at 50 degrees Fahrenheit to cure completely. Late spring or early summer is deemed the optimal time for installation for customers in the USA and Canada. Rain won't have any detrimental effects on the adhesive after 24 hours. It's essential to note that installing snow guards with Surebond SB-190 adhesive on copper roofing is never recommended, as it will cause a chemical reaction that will lead to early corrosion of the panels.

2. Is It Possible To Get Snow Guards Color-Matched?

Our metal snow retention options all include color-matching options. The SnoCleat RC, SnoCleat RCT, and ColorBar Snow Rail Systems can all be equipped with slide-in metal color strips to coordinate with your roof. Order them with the guards or cut them from leftover material on the job site. Additionally, we offer custom powder coating for a precise color match across all SnoCleat, SnowCatcher, and snow rail system models. Powder coating ensures that your snow guards and rails seamlessly integrate with your roofing panels, providing a uniform aesthetic for your building. Note that powder-coated products are made to order and may require additional time for delivery. Custom colors may also incur extra charges, depending on the color and scope of the job. Before ordering, please provide a color sample for accurate matching.

3. Are Screw-Down Snow Guards and Snow Rails Recommended for Standing Seam Roof?

You should never use screw-down mechanically fastened snow guards and snow rails on standing seam metal roofing panels. Such installations have the potential to damage the panels over time due to the roof's floating nature and thermal expansion and contraction. Doing so can lead to roof leaks, expensive repairs, and even the loss of the manufacturer's warranty. Instead, consider using clamp-style or adhesive-mounted snow retention systems that are compatible with standing seam roofs.

4. What Role Does the Layout of a Snow Retention System Play in Determining Its Effectiveness?

Regardless of the snow retention system chosen, obtaining layout recommendations from the manufacturer is essential. They can provide valuable guidance and free resources to ensure the correct system installation, such as our spacing charts and custom quote request forms. A proper snow guard or rail system spans the entire roof length. It may encompass multiple rows going up the slope to distribute weight evenly. Isolated installations above doorways, HVAC units, or chimneys are not advisable, as they are prone to high failure rates.

5. Should I Order Samples To Test Fit Before Installing Snow Retention?

Before placing your order, we recommend test-fitting any snow guards, clamps, brackets, or IceStoppers to ensure a proper fit for your project. We offer these products online without minimum order requirements, allowing you to order them as test samples. Additionally, we offer bar sample kits in 20" and27" lengths to assist with this process. This small investment can save you significant expenses if the product doesn't fit during the final installation, making it a wise step to take before committing to your purchase.

6. Do I Need IceStoppers for My Snow Rail System?

When using SnoBar or ColorBar snow rail systems on standing seam roof panels, we recommend using IceStopper attachments, particularly over pedestrian walkways or parking areas. IceStoppers can be installed during the initial installation process or added later as a retrofit option. Ensuring the proper spacing of IceStoppers is crucial for effectively retaining snow and ice on the roof.

7. What Is My Ground Snow Load, and Why Are You Asking for It?

Metal roofs with ground snow loads of 45 pounds per square foot (psf) or less can use most types of snow retention systems. However, in areas with snow loads exceeding 45 psf, snow rail systems with increased holding power are recommended. If your metal roof panel is incompatible with a snow rail, contact the manufacturer for their recommended snow guard solution. Ground snow load information can typically be found through a web search, consulting your building plans, or contacting local authorities.

Conclusion

Selecting the right snow guard for your project can be challenging. Still, this guide aims to provide valuable insights to simplify the process. Stay tuned for future posts covering additional roofing styles and manufacturers. Remember, having access to a knowledgeable company for inquiries and guidance is crucial when purchasing snow guards. SnoBlox-Snojax is committed to providing support every step of the way. For questions or orders, contact us at support@snojax.com or 1-800-766-5291, and explore our "What Works and What Doesn't" page and Snow Guard Buyer's Guide for more important information to assist you throughout your project.