Snow retention systems for enhanced roof safety

By Drexel Metals.  

Combining the strength of metal roofing with effective snow retention offers lasting protection against snow, ice and structural damage. 

As winter approaches, heavy snowfall can transform rooftops into high-risk zones. What seems like a winter wonderland can quickly turn into a serious safety hazard. The weight of snow that collects on rooftops can strain roof structures, cause leaks, ice dams and even lead to costly damage. Here at Drexel Metals, we know that property owners in cold climates need roofing systems designed to withstand harsh winter conditions. 

Metal roofing continues to lead the way in performance and protection during the winter months. Its smooth surface allows snow and ice to shed quickly, helping prevent excessive buildup that can compromise the roof’s integrity. However, when that snow releases, it can slide off in large sheets, endangering people and property below. The best way to manage this risk is with a snow retention system, a critical component that helps regulate how snow and ice leave the roof, enhancing both safety and performance for homeowners and contractors alike. 

Snow retention systems help keep homes and homeowners safer 

On metal roofs, snow retention systems increase friction between the roof surface and the accumulated snow, helping to keep the snow in place. These snow guards work by regulating the rate at which snow and ice shed from the roof, evacuating it in a gradual manner rather than all at once. This controlled release helps prevent property damage and injury, making snow retention systems a smart and important investment in snow-prone regions. As a result, contractors integrating a reliable snow retention system can deliver not only a high-performance, visually appealing metal roof, but also grant greater peace of mind to the homeowner.   

A reliable, next-generation snow retention system 

Not all snow guards are created equal. Low-quality or poorly installed guards can shift under pressure, underperform during heavy snowfall or damage the roof. That’s why it’s critical to choose a trusted system with proven performance. Take the S-5!®  ColorGard® 2.0 snow retention system offered through Drexel Metals, for example. Designed with safety, simplicity and reliability in mind, the next-generation ColorGard snow retention system is engineered to reduce the risk of rooftop avalanches while preserving the sleek aesthetics of a metal roof.   

A true “lay-and-play” system, ColorGard 2.0 significantly speeds up installation time. The new VersaClip™ 2.0 can be installed directly over splices, removing the need for in-field cutting. The included splice ensures continuous, unbroken snow retention with room for expansion and contraction of the ColorGard sections, ensuring accumulated snow and ice don’t slide off the roof “en masse” and endanger homeowners or their property.   

Preventing ice dams by treating the metal roof as a complete building system 

Snow retention is one part of the winter roofing equation. Preventing ice dams is another major concern. These form when heat escapes from the interior of the home and warms the roof surface, causing snow to melt. As temperatures drop overnight, the melted snow refreezes — typically at the eaves. Over time, repeated melting and refreezing cycles cause ice to build up along the roof edge, gradually working its way up the slope. This accumulation creates a barrier, or “dam,” that traps additional melted water behind it. With nowhere to go, that trapped water can back up under the roof covering, potentially leading to various roof system performance issues and leaks inside the home.   

Building science tells us that airflow beneath the roof can help maintain a cooler, more consistent roof temperature, reducing the chances of ice dams. That’s where ventilation solutions like Defend-R Vent can make a difference. This ventilated composite panel features closed-cell rigid polyiso that offers the highest R-values per inch compared to other types of insulation. It utilizes solid wood spacers to add a standard one-inch air space between the roof and the already high-performance insulation board. This creates cross-directional airflow beneath the roof, which supports more consistent roof temperatures. In application, the performance capabilities of Defend-R Vent help contractors eliminate hot and cold spots on the roof where ice dams can be formed and support overall roof system health.  

With the right systems in place, from snow retention to ventilation, you can deliver a high-performance, durable and winter-ready metal roof that delivers lasting value and safety.  

Original article source: Drexel Metals