Snow Guards: An Important Decision for Your Synthetic Roof
It's 75 degrees outside and your new DaVinci Roofscapes designer roof will be installed by the end of the month. Congratulations!
Your roofer has just one more question: do you want snow guards?
Don't let the warm weather sway your decision. When it's 25 degrees outside next January with snow falling fast, you want your composite roofing to have snow guards. Why? Because snow guards can help stop the "movement" of a snow avalanche from coming off your roof all at one time. They help break up the melting snows so they come off in smaller amounts.
Snow guards don't have to be intrusive on your roof. Companies like Rocky Mountain Snow Guards specialize in offering a variety of options that look good and work effectively with synthetic roofing material. And, they can powder coat the snow guards to match the color of your DaVinci roof!
What kind of costs are we talking about? Lars Walburg, President of Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, offers this insight: "Painted aluminum and steel snow guards generally cost between $5 and $6 each, while copper snow guards cost between $8 and $10 each. Then, the roofer will charge for installing the snow guards. Depending on the roofer, they may charge between $3 to $6 each for installation."
Your roofer can work with experts like Walburg to determine exactly where the snow guards should be placed on your roof, in what type of pattern and how many are needed. The pitch of your roof is important when deciding where snow guards will be placed (see Ask the Experts: Snow Guards). Another placement consideration is to plan on having snow guards located over key walkways, entry areas of the home and landscaping elements.
Click HERE to learn more about snow guards offered by Rocky Mountain Snow Guards that are designed especially for simulated shake roofing and imitation slate shingles. And, to learn more about snow guards overall, see Q & A Guide to Snow Guards.
**Snow guards should be considered in all geographic areas where accumulating snow fall is possible.**