Spacing For Shingle Roof Snow Guards
Shingle Roof Snow Guard Spacing Guidelines
In parts of the world that receive winter precipitation, snow and ice on steep sloped 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 single 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. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. This page should only be used only as a quick reference guide for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with up to 45 PSF ground snow load. Always consult with an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project. This spacing guideline does not account for snow shadows, drifting or unseasonable conditions. If your ground snow load exceeds 45PSF please fill out our Quote Request Form for the heavy duty SnoBar/ColorBar systems. All glue down pad style snow guards compatible with this spacing guideline are for sale at the bottom of this page.
Please Pick Your Roof Pitch Below
| 1/12 - 2/12 Pitch | 3/12 - 4/12 Pitch | 5/12 - 6-12 Pitch | 7-12 - 12-12 Pitch |
1/12 - 2/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Horizontal Spacing: Staggered every 12".
Pitch: 1/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Layout: 1 snow guard per 12", staggered up and down, a foot apart
Spacing: staggered row of snow guards are to be placed every 15 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard every 12", in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 14 and 15 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards using the same staggered pattern as below. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 30 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom and at 14 and 15 feet up from the bottom. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
3/12 - 4/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Horizontal Spacing: Staggered every 12".
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Layout: 1 snow guard per 12", staggered up and down, a foot apart
Spacing: staggered row of snow guards are to be placed every 10 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard every 12", in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 9 and 10 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards using the same staggered pattern as below. Do not exceed 10 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 20 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom and at 9 and 10 feet up from the bottom. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
5/12 - 6/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Horizontal Spacing: Staggered every 12".
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch.
Layout: 1 snow guard per 12", staggered up and down, a foot apart
Spacing: staggered row of snow guards are to be placed every 8 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard every 12", in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 7 and 8 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards using the same staggered pattern as below. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom and at 7 and 8 feet up from the bottom. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
7/12 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
Eave Strut: Horizontal beams that are installed between the roof rafters or trusses and the top plate of the exterior wall.
Horizontal Spacing: Staggered every 12".
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch.
Layout: 1 snow guard per 12", staggered up and down, a foot apart
Spacing: staggered row of snow guards are to be placed every 5 feet going up the roof.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
Starting at and 1 and 2 foot from the bottom edge, place a snow guard every 12", in a staggered pattern, across the entire roof area. Go up the roof 4 and 5 feet and repeat the staggered pattern of guards using the same staggered pattern as below. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 10 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 and 2 foot from the bottom and at 4'6" and 5' feet up from the bottom. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
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