We recently had a call from a domestic-use customer who informed us of their Sno Shield Rib Guard Snow Guards as out-lasting the roof itself after a freak hail storm hit the area… the Rib Guards remained intact, but unfortunately the roof needed replacing. Whether or not our guards could hold on during something like Hurricane Sandy remains to be seen (we haven’t done that test yet!), although we’re pretty confident that like the hail storm, the roof would probably need replacing before the guards themselves.

If you’re in a part of the country that is less prone to freak acts of nature, that sees precipitation in its various forms on a relatively regular basis, then you have the advantage of annual foresight to help inform your preparation decisions for the pending snow season (if it hasn’t hit already like it has in Idaho!)

Check out the images below to see what could be damaging your roof(s) in the following months if you don’t prepare now.

Be sure to be safe this winter season! Since the dawn of time, mankind has battled through the elements to pass their wisdom and prosperity along to the next generation, so make sure that you make it through the next few months so that you can do the same.

As the following video shows, overhanging and unprotected roofs can pose a significant risk to life, limb, and valuable property. Without snow guards or railing of any kind, risk and liability are significantly increased, especially on steep roofs like the one shown in the video.

As you get in your car or vehicle this festive season to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas, be sure to be aware of not only what is over your head, but under your feet as well–drive safe, and don’t park too close to places where there’s a dangerous overhang with snow and ice!

Home owners and roofers are all searching for cheap snow guards these days.  If this is how you found our article, you need to be careful about how you define the word cheap.  Typically when searching for something cheap, customers are looking for something that costs very little or is relatively low in price.  Who doesn’t want to get a deal?  However, cheap can mean more than just low cost.  Consider the following three sentences for example:

1. “Sno Shield would feel cheap if we made the mistake of selling you a bad snow guard.”
2. “That snow guard did not have much thought put in to its design and construction, it has cheap workmanship.”
3. “I bought some dirt cheap snow guards.  I got 20% off.”

As you can see there are several ways to use the word cheap.  More and more we are seeing snow guards made in China appear on the market here in the USA.  They range from polycarbonate to metal snow guards.  We believe this is a result of several things, but mostly as consumers none of us want to spend a lot of money if we can purchase something for less, and roofers want to make as much profit margin as possible while keeping their bids competitive.  When purchasing snow guards though it is VERY important to really think about whether or not it is good to purchase cheap snow guards.  If you knew you were going to be shot in the chest, would you buy a cheap bullet proof vest or would you do your research and purchase the best vest money can buy?  A bullet proof vest is similar to snow guards in that both of them are safety devices.  Make sure when you buy snow guards you are not buying a poorly manufactured guard as you will end up paying more in the long run when you have to replace your snow retention system.

Another thing to make sure of is that you do not go cheap on the number of snow guards your purchase.  You need to make sure that you purchase the correct amount of snow guards for your roof.  Too many snow guards and you are not being frugal, not enough and your snow retention system may fail becoming more dangerous than had you just let the snow slide off your roof on its own.  Many of the companies willing to sell you cheap snow guards are also willing to tell you that you do not need the correct amount of snow guards.  They are only in the business for a quick sell and have not invested in their product to ensure it is a long lasting, durable product.

We are here to declare that the best snow guards on the market today are made in the USA right here at Sno Shield.  By purchasing Sno Shield snow guards you are sustaining American jobs, lowering your risk, and receiving a superior snow retention system.

I’ve heard the question, “Are snow guards necessary?” probably a hundred times over the past few years.  When I hear this question, it makes me think, “Why are you considering snow guards?”  If you have snow sliding off your roof that is causing damage, the easy answer is “Yes, snow guards are necessary for you.”  The real question you should be asking is, “Which snow guards are right for my roof application?”

Buying snow guards for your home or roofing project should not be as difficult as many people make it.  Of course everyone wants the customer to purchase their snow guards, but let’s be honest – Sno Shield snow guards are the best, right!?  There really are a lot of choices available to you as a consumer.  We recommend you talk to someone from the company you are considering.  The level of customer service a company gives you will tell you a lot about the company, the quality of their snow retention products, and how they feel about you.

Sorry, I got off topic, but only a little bit – back to your original question, “Are snow guards necessary?”  Again, if snow and ice sliding are causing damage to your property, yes, yes, YES snow guards are necessary.  Some common things to look for to determine if snow is causing damage include:

• Gutter Damage
• Destroyed Decks
• Detached or Bent Awnings
• Broken Windows
• Damage Trees and Shrubs
• Smashed Car Windows
• Torn Roof Flashing
• Screws Worked Loose in the Roof
• Harmed Pets (PETA’s coming after you!)
• Large Amounts of Snow Hitting You in the Head (This can kill you)

Honestly though, Sno Shield takes the protection of your business, property, and life very seriously.  We want to help protect your investment by having you install our quality snow guards or rail snow guard / snow fence.  We are available to assist you and do not mind answering your questions.  Please contact us for your roof evaluation so you no longer have to wonder, “Are snow guards necessary?”

I thought it might be fun to show some random people one of our Panel Guard snow guards and ask them the following questions just to see what people would come up with:

1.       What do you think this thing is used for?

2.       What do you think it is called?

3.       Who uses this product the most?

4.       How does it work?

Of the 25 people asked, the majority of them answered that it was some kind of bracket to hold a shelf on the wall.  Now I have heard people refer to snow guards as snow brackets, but typically you aren’t holding snow on the wall, unless it is some kind of Christmas decoration made from fake snow.  Some of the names they came up with included the EZ Shelf, Super Brace, Plastic Pyramid Support and The Wall Shoe.

About 50% of people thought it was a shelf of some sort, but more than one person thought it was a bookend, and a few more thought it was a corner straightener.  A corner straightener?  Hmm, it doesn’t even have 90% angles.  One person thought it looked like a tool for applying grout on tile floors and was the only one who guessed the industry correctly by saying it is used in construction.   

One awesome hippie said it was a device used for reflecting light and is called a Pyramid Mirror.  He acted as though he knew exactly what it was even though he had NO clue.  I personally think it’s funny when people try to act like they know what they are talking about, but don’t. 

My favorite response though was from a Canadian guy who called it the Pyramid Pick, claiming that this is a one of a kind guitar pick.  Only true guitar players who can deviate from the norm are able to utilize this guitar pick.  He said, “The pick has both a smooth and textured side, allowing for different types of sounds when using as a slide, a technique common in jazz music. It also gives the player the option to pick the string from multiple points, as it has 3 corners and 1 traditional picking edge.” 

After hearing his explanation I set out to find a guitar to play utilizing the Pyramid Pick.  It appears as though the Aussie indy-rocker  Josh Pyke has one:

In this video, Matt Riley demonstrates how to install the Sno Shield Rib Guard snow guard.

I’m Matt with Sno Shield. Today we’re going to show you how to install a Rib Guard on a standing seam metal roof. Now this particular system has Color Armor which is made from the same material as your roof so it weathers exactly the same.

For this project we are placing the Rib Guards sixteen inches up the rib from the eve. So go ahead and make a tick mark sixteen inches up. Like so. Go ahead and place the Rib Guard over your mark. Make sure you are in position so you that can get a good firm hold on your Rib Guard, and make sure your torque setting on your drill is preset. Each roof is a little different so you are going to have to do a little bit of checking to see which torque setting is right for your drill. Go ahead and put the screws tight. It’s important to note that the back screw is merely a positioning screw and most of the weight is derived from the top set screw.

So go ahead and place your color armor in position, I’m a little bit out of position here, but I think I can still get it, make sure it’s lined up then apply pressure to one side, then the other. And even still out of position it’s still a fairly simple system. It‘s a great system that can be used in the middle of winter. You don’t have to have summer months to make sure that you have proper adhesive curing time. It’s a great product. We hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll be glad to help you with your installations.

In this video, Matt Riley demonstrates how to install the Sno Shield Panel Guard.

Hi, I’m Matt with Sno Shield Snow Guards.

Today we’re going to show you how to install the Panel Guard Snow Guard.

We’re going to be using Surebond 190. And so first of all, we’re going to prepare our area by taking an alcohol wipe. And we’ve already premarked our area. Just clean the area free from any dirt. Then you take your Surebond – I’ve already pre-cleaned the base of this part. It’s important to make sure there is no dust on the either roof or the part and then you put a bead of adhesive all the way around the edge. Fill in the middle a little bit. Then go ahead and put it on your marking, and press firmly. It’s important to get as much of the adhesive and air bubbles out as you can. Press firmly and you’re done.