Snow Guards Needed for Synthetic Slate Roof
Tim Carter, founder of AsktheBuilder.com, has undertaken a special project this summer — installing a DaVinci Roofscapes Single-Width Slate roof on his home. Because of the rough winters he experiences in New Hampshire, Tim decided to install Rocky Mountain Snow Guards on his new imitation slate roof.
Q: How much snow do you usually get in your area?
A: Average annual snowfall here is around five feet; but in the past six years, we've had a total snowfall of over 100 inches!
Q: You didn't have snow guards on your last roof … why are you installing them this time?
A: My previous roof was traditional asphalt shingle and didn't require snow guards. Accumulated snow and ice locked themselves into the ceramic granules and had to be "raked" off the roof. My new DaVinci polymer roof tiles have a smooth surface. The snow guards will help "break up" melting snow. I know the snow will come down on its own with this imitation slate roof, saving me lots of work and hassle.
Q: Where did you install your snow guards?
A: On areas of the roof that are above pedestrian walkways and my rear deck.
Q: How did you like the Rocky Mountain snow guards, and how easy were they to install?
A: These are very substantial, high-quality snow guards. It was a breeze to install them. They come with pre-punched holes for the nails and a great diagram showing exactly where to put them on the roof.
Q: Would you recommend snow guards for other homeowners with composite roofing in snow-prone areas?
A: Absolutely. I've watched videos and seen what happens when you don't have snow guards. Giant slabs of hard, crusty snow weighing thousands of pounds can come off a roof with no notice or sound. I firmly recommend snow guards like these to either lock the snow on the roof or cut it up into smaller pieces as it slides off synthetic slate shingles or simulated shake roofing.
Need more snow guard answers? See Q & A Guide to Snow Guards.