Snow Retention FAQ

Why do I need snow retention?

Snow retention is a system designed to create friction or a barrier between a roof surface and snow/ice in the winter. Snow and ice will build up during the winter (or all at once in some areas of the country) and with the freeze and thaw cycles most areas see, the snow and ice will release, sometimes catastrophically (also known as an avalanche), onto the ground areas below. A snow retention system is critical above areas of pedestrian traffic, expensive landscaping projects, decks, driveways, hot tubs and any other place where significant damage to people or property could occur.

What is the difference between a snow guard and a snow fence?

A snow guard is a pad-like profile made out of various materials (plastic, aluminum, copper, etc.). Rocky Mountain Snow Guards does not sell or recommend plastic snow guards as they tend to degrade over time. The snow guard is designed to create friction between the roof surface and the snow/ice sheet. Snow guards are a suitable application on virtually all roofing material. A snow fence on the other hand, is an actual aluminum fence that comes in various heights and has a varying number of bars depending on the project requirements and/or owner's preferences. The snow fence is designed to be a strong barrier for the snow to hold against. In some locations and in places of high concern, a combination of snow fencing and snow guards may be necessary.

How can I customize my system so it matches my roof?

We stock various colors of high demand snow guards with upwards of 70 other powder coat colors to choose from. Snow fences come in mill finish aluminum, raw steel or copper.  All aluminum, galvanneal or stainless steel components can be powder coated to the owner’s preference for a lasting effect.

How do I know what system I need?

Snow retention is designed on a job-by-job basis. It is difficult to determine exactly what is necessary just by standing in the yard looking up. The best way to ensure you have an effective system that is engineered based on your roof type, location, and various other factors is to get in touch with us here at Rocky Mountain Snow Guards and let our professionals design the system for you free of charge and at no obligation to buy. Click on the Get FREE Quote link at the top of the page, answer the questions and we can get started with your estimate.

What happens if my system fails?

If your system is engineered by a professional at Rocky Mountain Snow Guards and all information provided by the customer is correct and verified, the chance of a system failure is virtually none. In the event of a failure of an approved system we designed, we cover that with a 50 year warranty. We cannot however warrant against a contractor or homeowner engineered system that we only sold the product on. This is why it is important to allow us to design the system for your particular building.

What about that big chunk of ice I get at the edge of my roof every year?

That ice build up is actually called an "ice dam" (read more about Ice Dams on Wikipedia) and is caused by cooling at the eave of the roof that forms that ice block.  Ice dams are not caused by nor alleviated by snow guards or snow fences. This is a whole other area of concern and can be mitigated through the use of heat tape or by adding insulation to the attic area.