Snow Guards For Exposed Fastener Roof Panels by Peterson Aluminum Corp. (PAC-CLAD)

Choosing snow guards is crucial when protecting your home or building with an exposed fastener metal roof. Different metal roof panel profiles require specific snow guard solutions to manage snow and ice effectively. In this blog, we'll explore the various snow guard options available for PAC-CLAD's exposed fastener metal roofs, guiding you toward selecting the right product for your roof system. This blog series aims to highlight prominent metal panel manufacturers and recommend compatible snow guard solutions, empowering customers to navigate this process confidently. Our goal is to provide expert insights that enable you to select the proper snow guards for your metal roofing system, protecting your investment and ensuring safety.

Snow Guards For Exposed Fastener Roof Panels by PAC-CLAD

Petersen Aluminum Corporation (PAC-CLAD) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality architectural metal wall panels, metal roofing systems, and related accessories. Founded in 1965 by Maurice R. Petersen, PAC-CLAD has become an industry leader with production facilities across the United States. PAC-CLAD offers a wide range of metal products, including standing seam roof panels, exposed and hidden fastener wall and roof panels, flush panels, soffit panels, perforated metal, fascia and coping systems, composite panels, column covers, coil, and flat sheets. These products are available in 45 standard colors with a 70% polyvinylidene fluoride (Kynar) finish, providing a 30-year warranty. Many PAC-CLAD colors also meet LEED requirements and are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council. In 2018, Carlisle Companies Inc., a global leader in commercial and industrial building envelope products, acquired Petersen Aluminum Corp. for approximately $197 million. This acquisition was part of Carlisle's strategy to expand its portfolio of innovative products and solutions for the building envelope market.

7.2 Exposed Fastener Panels

When considering an exposed fastener panel for your commercial or industrial project, the 7.2 Panel is a versatile and practical option. This durable metal panel features a 7.2-inch rib design, making it suitable for various building applications, including roofs, walls, and linear panels. With a 36-inch coverage width and 1.5-inch rib height, the 7.2 Panel is available in 22, 24, and 29 gauge steel, as well as .032, .040, and .050 aluminum. The panel's symmetrical rib structure provides exceptional spanning and cantilever capabilities, making it a suitable choice for carports and walkway canopies. However, the only 1-1/2-inch-wide low-panel flats may limit your installation options.

The 7.2 Panel can be paired with various snow management products to help manage snow and ice on your roof. The polycarbonate SnoBlox Deuce allows you to hold snow and ice on the roof with a pad-style guard. At the same time, the SnowBreaker breaks the ice and snow into more manageable, safer pieces as it sheds from the roof. These snow guards install with screws or adhesive, and you can also install the SnowBreaker 3M with 3M double-sided tape. The 7.2 Panel is compatible with the galvanized SnoBar and aluminum ColorBar snow rails. Both systems utilize the 1.5-inch wide aluminum Tall ColorBracket for attachment, providing a secure and effective snow management solution.

1/2″ & 7/8″ Corrugated Exposed Fastener Panels

PAC-CLAD offers two distinct wavy corrugated metal panel profiles - the 1/2" Corrugated and the 7/8" Corrugated. These exposed fastener panels are versatile building solutions for roofing, walls, and linear applications. The more subtle 1/2" Corrugated panels are available in a range of gauges and materials with a coverage width of 44.5". Perforation of these panels for exterior screening or interior acoustics is available. The deeper 7/8" corrugated panels come in a 39.75" coverage width, with various gauge and material options, including perforated versions for specialized applications. The 1/2" and 7/8" corrugated profiles offer a cost-effective yet architecturally appealing solution, providing creative design flexibility and versatility for various commercial and residential projects.

The unique corrugated design of these panels makes them unsuitable for most traditional snow retention methods that require flat surfaces. However, we offer a solution called SnoCleat 2.67. These can be installed directly on the high ribs of the panels using 3-inch screws, providing a secure attachment point. Wavy corrugated panels like this are exempt from the rules regarding screwing through the high ribs of panels because these brackets span multiple ribs. Customers seeking a continuous snow rail or snow fence system can use SnoBar or ColorBar with the same 2.67 brackets as the SnoCleat. The ColorBracket 2.67 attachment bracket comes with six holes. While only the use of 4 screws per bracket is required, customers can choose to use all six, thus allowing for enhanced mounting strength, particularly in more extreme weather conditions.

R-36 Exposed Fastener Panels

The R-36 is a versatile wall and roof panel designed for use in pre-engineered metal buildings and residential metal roofing projects. It features a distinctive 1-1/4 inch major rib spaced 12 inches apart, complemented by evenly spaced minor ribs. This panel is available in a range of steel thicknesses, including 22, 24, 26, and 29 gauge, and aluminum thicknesses of .032, .040, and .050. The multiple options make the R-36 durable and adaptable for various metal building and roofing applications.

The R-36 panel offers exceptional versatility for snow guard installations, providing compatibility with a wide range of snow guard products. These include the screw-down SnoBar and ColorBar, the SnoCleat PBR, and the stainless steel SnowCatcher models, such as the Standard Rectangle, Fleur-de-lis, Sun Burst, Maple Leaf, Mustang, and Kodiak. For polycarbonate snow guards, most models can be attached using either adhesive or screws, except for the Snojax I, which requires mechanical fasteners only. It is essential to use the Surebond SB-190 adhesive specifically for polycarbonate snow guards, as it is incompatible with metal pad-style snow guards.

When installing snow guards on the R-36 panel, we often recommend installing smaller snow guard models between the minor ribs in the center of the panels. However, some snow guard models, like the Snojax II and Icejax II, require off-center mounting to straddle either the left or right minor rib. Consistent mounting over the same rib is crucial in such cases. It is vital to avoid screwing individual snow guards or rail systems directly onto the high ribs of the panel. It is also critical to avoid just screwing into the panel itself, as this will not create a sturdy, long-lasting attachment. You can ensure maximum installation strength and stability by anchoring the panels to a solid base in the low flats. This approach will provide the most robust and secure installation.

Pac-Clad Snow Guard Compatibility Chart

Considerations for Snow Guards on PAC-CLAD Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

1. Safeguarding Your Roof from Leaks

Maintaining a watertight seal is crucial for protecting your roof from the elements. Fortunately, there are several innovative products available that can help you achieve this goal. Products such as the SnoCleat PBR, SnoCleat 2.67, SnowCatchers, and screw-down rail systems come equipped with butyl tape gaskets. These gaskets create a secure seal without additional liquid sealants. When paired with screws featuring neoprene washers, this system ensures a robust barrier against the weather. While not mandatory, some customers apply a perimeter of liquid silicone around the edges of these snow guards, which provides extra protection and safeguards their roofs from leaks. When attaching any polycarbonate snow guards to the roof using screws, it is crucial to utilize a neutral curing, cold-weather liquid silicone, such as the recommended NovaFlex MR150. This specialized sealant will effectively seal the entire base of the snow guard, ensuring a watertight installation. By leveraging these innovative products and techniques, you can confidently protect your roof from the ravages of the elements, keeping your home dry and secure.

2. The Importance of a Layout Plan

Obtaining the snow guard manufacturer’s design recommendation is essential, regardless of the type of snow retention system you're installing. Limiting snow retention systems to isolated areas is not advisable, as this installation method consistently poses a high risk of failure and should be avoided. A proper snow retention system should include coverage across the entire roof length. It often features multiple rows up the slope to help distribute weight evenly over the whole roof surface. We provide free spacing charts and quote request forms to assist customers in obtaining custom layout guidance. By considering the roofing system overall, you can develop a snow retention plan that effectively mitigates the risks associated with heavy snowfall, ensuring the system is integrated seamlessly with the overall design and provides reliable protection.

3. Securing Snow Guards Effectively

When installing snow guards using mechanical fasteners, anchoring them into a solid wood structure of at least 1-inch thickness, such as plywood decking, purlins, or retrofitted blocking, is crucial to ensuring a robust and reliable attachment point. For pre-engineered metal buildings, the preferred approach is to mount the snow guards directly into the metal purlins whenever possible. Solely relying on the panel itself as the structural support for snow guards or rails is not recommended, as it carries a significant risk of failure. Suppose the underlying structure at the proposed snow guard mounting locations is insufficient, and the ground snow load is 45 pounds per square foot or less. In that case, you should consider an alternative solution. In such cases, if the installer cannot add additional blocking, a glue-down snow guard product may be more suitable.

4. Navigating Ground Snow Load Considerations

The ground snow load is critical in selecting your project's appropriate snow retention system. This data, gathered from historical records by weather stations nationwide, provides valuable insights. For projects encountering ground snow loads up to 45 pounds per square foot (PSF), you may consider glue-down or screw-down individual snow guards or screw-down snow rail systems. However, we advise installing snow rail systems exclusively in regions where ground snow loads exceed this threshold. You can typically obtain information about the ground snow loads for your specific project through an online search or by reviewing the building plans, allowing you to decide on the best snow retention solution.

5. Available Options for Color-Matching

Our company offers various color-matching solutions to ensure your snow guards seamlessly blend with your roof's aesthetic. For our SnoCleat and ColorBar products, we can provide convenient slide-in color strips that allow you to achieve a perfect color match. You can also create strips from leftover roofing material cut 2" wide. Our metal snow guards and rail systems can be powder-coated to your desired color. These custom-made products are produced upon order, typically with a 3–4 week lead time, depending on the color and project size. Alternatively, you can have your snow guards powder-coated locally or painted upon arrival for a quicker turnaround and greater control over color selection. By offering these diverse color-matching solutions, we empower you to harmoniously integrate your snow guards with the overall design of your roof, creating a cohesive and visually appealing outcome.

6. Optimal Timing for Glue-Down Snow Guard Installation

The ideal time to install glue-down snow guards is late spring or early summer. The industry-standard adhesive, Surebond SB-190, requires approximately 28 days at 50 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve complete curing. Temperatures below this threshold will temporarily pause the curing process until the temperature rises again. Careful planning is essential when scheduling the installation of glue-down snow guards, as the adhesive needs sufficient time to cure properly. In contrast, screw-down snow guards and rail systems offer the flexibility of year-round installation, provided that the roof is free of snow, ice, or debris.

Conclusion

Choosing the proper snow guards for your project may initially seem daunting. However, this blog series has provided you with insightful guidance to help alleviate any uncertainties you may have encountered. As we progress through the series, you can look forward to even broader coverage, including information on more roof panel manufacturers in upcoming articles. When purchasing snow guards, it's crucial to work with a reputable and easily accessible company. They should be able to address your questions and offer the necessary assistance. SnoBlox-Snojax consistently meets and often exceeds this criterion. Feel free to contact us at support@snojax.com or 1-800-766-5291 if you have any inquiries or want to place an order. Moreover, delve into our Snow Guard Buyer's Guide and What Works and What Doesn't Page on our website for valuable insights to facilitate decision-making.