Snow guards are a vital part of keeping a home safe in areas where regular snowfall is a part of every winter, but there are some misconceptions that people have about those guards. Bad information leads to bad decision making, and you cannot afford to put your family or your property at risk by making bad decisions concerning your snow guards. These are some of the most common misconceptions people have about snow guards.

“My Home Does Not Need A Guard”

The single biggest issue that comes up when discussing snow guards is the number of people who think they do not need a guard. Sometimes this is because they do not understand the dangers that come with snow and ice sliding off of the roof, or it is because they do not think that there is enough snow in their area to warrant installing a guard. This past winter has shown that any part of the continental United States can get heavy snow at any time, so location is not a reason to avoid installing a guard. It almost does not matter where you live; if there is a chance that you will get heavy snow, you need some kind of guard.

“My Old ‘L” Shaped Guards Are Enough”

There are a lot of homes that already have snow guards in place, but if those guards are more than a few years old, they are probably using the old “L” shaped guard model. This design provides very little protection and they have recently been replaced by the triangular shaped guards from companies like Snoshield. The new guards are better about weight distribution and are rated for heavier snowfalls than the “L” shaped designs, so even if you have a guard system, you may need an upgrade.

“Snow Guards Are Ugly And Will Ruin My Home’s Value”

Finally, there are some homeowners who will not install guards because they think that the guards will detract from the appearance of the home and decrease its value. New coloring technologies have made it possible to match the guard to the color of the roof, so you cannot see the guard from street level, and what you will find is that snow guards actually increase the value of the home because of the safety that they provide against injury and property damage.

In most areas of the country snow guards are vital to keeping your family and property safe from damage caused by snow. By breaking down some of the misconceptions hopefully you will understand the benefits and the reasons behind snow guard installation.