Do You Need Snow Guards on a Metal Roof in Fargo?
Yes, most metal roofs in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace should have snow guards anywhere snow can slide onto a walkway, entry door, deck, gutter, lower roof, or parked vehicle. Metal sheds snow in one sudden release, and a slab off a two story roof can crush gutters, break railings, and injure someone at the door. Dodd Roofing and Exteriors installs snow retention on new and existing metal roofs across the FM metro, and the decision comes down to where the snow will land.
Why does snow slide off a metal roof?
Smooth standing seam and ribbed metal panels have far less friction than asphalt shingles. When sunlight or attic heat warms the panel, a thin film of water forms under the snowpack and the whole sheet lets go at once. On a shingle roof the granules hold the snow in place until it melts, which is why this problem is specific to metal. Our post comparing metal roofs and shingles in North Dakota covers the other tradeoffs.
Where do snow guards matter most?
Above entry doors, garage doors, sidewalks, decks, and patios. Above gutters, since a sliding slab tears seamless gutters right off the fascia. Above any lower roof section, furnace vent, gas meter, or air conditioning unit. Over open lawn on a single story ranch, guards may be optional. North Dakota code does not require snow guards, but insurers and commercial property managers often expect them, and a homeowner is responsible if roof snow injures a visitor.
What types of snow guards work in North Dakota winters?
Pad style guards are small clips staggered across the lower third of the slope so snow breaks apart and creeps down slowly. Bar or fence style systems run a continuous rail across the slope and hold the pack in place until it melts. On standing seam roofs, use clamp on guards that grip the seam without a screw through the panel. On exposed fastener panels, guards attach through the rib into the purlin with sealant. Adhesive only guards fail in our deep cold, so we do not recommend them.
Do snow guards add weight risk to the roof?
Holding snow on the roof means the structure carries it longer. Our post on how much snow a Fargo roof can hold covers the design load. Most homes built to North Dakota code handle a normal winter snowpack with guards in place. The exceptions are low pitch metal roofs with heavy drifting and older additions with light framing, so we check framing before recommending a full fence system.
Can snow guards be added to an existing metal roof?
Yes. Clamp on guards for standing seam install any time the panel is clear and dry. For exposed fastener roofs, we install guards in fall before the first snow so the sealant cures. If sliding snow already ripped your gutters loose last winter, we can reset them with hidden hangers and add retention in the same visit, as covered in our post on gutters pulling away in Fargo. Call (701) 831-0710 to schedule a look before the snow flies.
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