If you woke up in SE Idaho today, the image below probably isn’t too dissimilar to what you witnessed as you prepared to go out to work this morning! This image was posted by iJump, Southeast Idaho’s Indoor Trampoline Park. Go to their facebook page to comment on the picture, and know that the best caption will win a free VIP Jump pass!

As much as snow for us means good business, do be sure to drive safely in these snow blizzard conditions… make sure your headlights are turned on, and be sure to indicate when you intend to change lanes! We saw a few accidents on the roads this morning due to folks not letting other drivers know where they were, and where they were trying to navigate to!

Whether producing and selling snow guards, ice sculpting, or snow shovelling, there really is no business like snow business!

There are few things as “manly” or as testosterone-filled as working in the roofing trade, and certainly fewer satisfying experiences than seeing your constructed roof hold up and perform over the years of weathering nature’s storms. Mankind has always sought a “roof over the head” for shelter, privacy, and protection from the elements.Given this precedent to the industry, cheaping out on roofing solutions is certainly not a good idea, whether it’s the construction, maintenance, or liability protection aspects of your roof, you need to make sure you are *covered!*

Unless you are Bear Grylls or hanging out as a wilderness survivor, snow guards and a well formed roof should be a *top* priority!

As a final word of wisdom from Highlander when considering your roof protection needs… DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD!

Several years ago in college I was in an international politics class where we were discussing the topic of “soft security” (i.e. not military or economic “hard” security matters); the subset of health security fell under this discussion, and we proceeded to list a range of health issues in the various countries we were assigned to study. Malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, cholera, and other diseases were commonly suggested, at which point the professor stopped and exclaimed “what about accidental death?… wouldn’t you agree that dying is a pretty severe health issue?!”

He went on to explain that many developing countries have much higher rates of accidental/premature death because (useful) bureaucratic structures, safety standards, and best practices are not made, held, or enforced (e.g. perhaps due to weak rule of law). This certainly made us all think about “health” in a very different and broader light–potholes along Main Street, overgrown trees, and even high fructose corn syrup started to then enter the discussion, and we realized that here in the West we have a fair amount of health hazards and safety issues that have very little to do with traditional disease and medication!

So, what does this have to do with snow guards? Well, as you watch the two clips below of snow avalanches in Scotland on both a residential and commercial property (no snow guards), you can see how being caught underneath one would be very bad for your health! Of course, over-regulation is not the answer to securitzing health for the masses, but an attitude of foresight and due diligence among the masses is. Make sure you are the one to use common sense in assessing your roof safety needs, and don’t get “caught under the weather” this winter season!

Roofs and snow have been around since mankind first started roaming the earth; those of us in this trade are simply standing on the shoulders of the giants and great craftsmen who have gone before us–this trade is literally thousands of years old. But video marketing?… That’s a different kettle of fish altogether!

Yesterday we watched a TED presentation by Youtube analyst Kevin Allocca about how and Why Videos Go Viral; whether its Psy’s Gangnam style or a funny product ad, those that get their videos seen by the globe’s millions have their lives or businesses changed forever… or at least a few weeks! While 21st century style marketing is not our immediate area of expertise, fortunately some of our distributors are a little better experienced in this area than we are. Check out Roofthings’ great little clip on how to use and install our snow guards! And hey, if you want to make a product video for us that goes viral… then go for it! We certainly won’t complain!

Ever since retail giant Wal-Mart started naming its employees “associates” the whole of the Western business world has started to view workers as much more than just a name and number on the production line. In addition to delivering quality products and services for our customers, Sno Shield strives to build its business so that we can provide more meaningful jobs and gainful employment for willing and talented workers in the Idaho area.

Out on the shop floor this week we were pleasantly surprised to learn of one of our employee’s hidden graffiti-art talents rendered on the surface of one of the parts boxes he was working from. Not only does Ramon do a great job assuring the quality of your snow guard products, he also makes this task his own, and in the process shares his other talents with the rest of the Sno Shield team. While we’re not sure we’d get this tatooed on our arm, it’s certainly worth sharing in a blog post!

For all employers, remember to look after your employees and they will look after you, and to all employees, think not what your employer can do for you, but what you can do for your employer!

Snow fall and ice forming on roofs is just a fact life for most folks in the winter time, and protruding from most roofs are chimneys, pipes, satellite devices, or other outlets of sorts, that even a conventional snow guard cannot protect adequately. As a result we are now producing and holding a new, logical, and reliable solution for your roof-pipe peace of mind: the pipe diverter!

This unique type of snow diverter acts as a mini roof for any small pipe or outlet that extends up out of the main roof platform, and directs the snow, ice, or precipitation away from and around the pipe you are trying to protect. If you’re in need of enhanced pipe protection, call us today to learn more about the pipe diverter, or order one online from our Rexburg based distributor, Roof Things.

Specifications: 18″ base x 18″ width x 12″ height; 1″ flange; 18 pre-drilled 1/4″ installation holes; made of 18 gauge powder coated galvanized steel. Available in multiple colors.

AKA: chimney cricket, snow/pipe diverter, vent pipe snow guard, pipe roof.

DON’T LET THIS BE YOUR ROOF OR PIPE!

What do Sno Shield Snow Guards, 3M Post-it Notes, Hanky Panky Lingerie, and Harley Davidson Motorcycles have in common?…

…They are all products of only a few in the world that are still MADE IN AMERICA!

With the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama taking place in the nation’s capital yesterday, our feelings as a nation have once again been turned towards this great land we live in; whether the inauguration got you excited for the United States, or even if it got you more worried about it, these wintery times of socio-economic hardship require us all to reflect deeply on the state of our own lives, our neighborhoods, and our country as a whole. We just about survived 2012, but domestic and global events have us questioning whether or not 2013 will be any better.

Fortunately however, there are some companies out there that are willing to wield the banner of American exceptionalism in positive ways that significantly boost the US economy, and Sno Shield is proud to be one of the few amongst them. We do not compromise in any degree the quality of our MADE IN AMERICA products, and look forward to an even greater year of business in 2013 not only for ourselves, but for you, our clients and customers across not only the United States, but Canada, and the rest of the world too.

For more articles on products made in America, go to Country Living, Huffington Post, and CNN Living.

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.