Winter-ready roofing starts now

By ASC Building Products.  

ASC Building Products partners with S-5! to offer integrated snow retention solutions. 

Editor’s note: Share this information with your customers who are considering adding snow retention to their roofs. 

Investing in a metal roof means prioritizing durability and performance, which is why protecting it is essential. The winter months can be grueling for metal roofs; without the proper precautions, snow and ice can slide off in large sheets, leading to potential harm to landscaping, vehicles, gutters and even people nearby.  

That’s why ASC Building Products is now teaming up with S-5! to provide integrated snow retention solutions. These systems are engineered to keep snow in place, allowing it to melt naturally, gradually and safely — reducing hazards and minimizing property damage. Customers can now conveniently include S-5! snow retention systems when ordering panels and accessories from ASC Building Products, streamlining the process of protecting properties and their surroundings. 

Why snow guards are essential 

Metal roofs naturally shed snow and ice as they warm. This helps reduce the weight load on the structure, but it can also cause problems if the snow is allowed to slide off all at once. The smooth surface can accelerate this movement, turning a gradual melt into a sudden release. Large sheets of snow and ice can break free without warning, creating a roof avalanche. This avalanche can fall onto walkways or other areas where people and property are vulnerable, in addition to potentially damaging gutters, downspouts or pipe penetrations in the roof. 

Snow retention systems (snow guards) act as a holding system, keeping snow in place so it can melt gradually and safely. They distribute the load evenly across the roof, reducing strain on any single point and maintaining both safety and aesthetics. For roofs in high-snow regions, snow clamps aren’t just a nice-to-have; they’re a critical component that protects both the structure and the people around it. 

The advantage of doing it all at once 

The smartest time to add snow retention is during roof installation. Ordering your panels and snow guards together ensures everything arrives on-site at the same time, installs in one step, and weathers uniformly for years to come. This saves time, reduces labor costs, and delivers a consistent finish that won’t look pieced together later. 

• One source, one delivery – Panels and snow retention arrive together, simplifying logistics. 
• Save on labor – Install in one step, no need to return later. 
• Consistent finish – Roof and snow guards weather together for a uniform look. 
• Trusted performance – Systems designed to protect without compromising roof integrity. 

It is advantageous to raise the topic of snowguards with your roofing contractor to understand their familiarity with snow guard systems. The number of snowguards and installation complexity may vary depending on the roof type and the snow region. 

Color-matched for lasting curb appeal 

Snow guards from ASC Building Products can be color-matched to your roof panels, using the same painted steel for the façade strip. That means no mismatched finishes, no awkward add-ons, and no uneven fading over time. The system blends seamlessly into the roof design, keeping the clean, modern look you expect from a metal roof. 

Proven systems for seamless integration 

ColorGard®2.0 

This bar-style snow guard installs quickly with no pre-assembly and can be color-matched to the roof for seamless design integration. For standing seam, it attaches with non-penetrating clamps to preserve weathertightness performance. To complement this system, a façade strip is manufactured from the same painted metal as the roof for a perfect color match and consistent weathering. 

Visit S-5! to learn more: ColorGard® 2.0 

X-Gard™ 1.0 and X-Gard™ 2.0 

Both are heavy-duty, one or two-pipe snow retention systems. These fence-type systems offer higher performance due to superior beam strength, making them ideal for extreme snow conditions. Their tubular, metallic appearance may be more suitable for select design aesthetics. Both systems attach to standing seam roofs using the same non-penetrating clamps as ColorGard® 2.0. 

Visit S-5! to learn more: X-Gard™ 1.0 or X-Gard™ 2.0 

Both systems are compatible with ASC Building Products’ standing seam and exposed fastener panels, with hardware tailored to specific profiles for a secure, reliable fit. 

Compatibility with ASC Building Products panels 

With these systems, ASC Building Products customers get more than just snow protection. They gain a snow retention solution engineered to work in harmony with their metal roof’s performance and appearance. Designed for both function and aesthetics, these snow guards integrate seamlessly with the roof profile for a polished, cohesive look.  

• Skyline Roofing®
• Skyline Roofing® hp
• Design Span® hp
• Nor-Clad®
• Strata Rib®
• Nu-Wave® Corrugated
• Delta Rib™
• Delta Rib™ III
• PBR Panel

Plan ahead, protect more 

Adding snow retention at the time of installation is the easiest and most cost-effective way to safeguard your investment. Talk to your ASC Building Products representative about integrating a snow retention system with your next roofing project and enjoy the benefits of a roof that performs as beautifully as it looks, winter after winter. 

To learn more, explore the S-5! Project Configurator and the S-5! Snow Retention product sheet or ask ASC Building Products a metal roofing or siding question. 

Original article and photos source: ASC Building Products