Snow and Ice on Sloped Roofs: Shed it or Keep it on?

How would you answer this question?  If you are like most roofing consultants, you would reply based upon a number of factors.  One factor would be your experience as a roofing expert.  Another would be where you live and work.  Another factor would be your training.  If you are from North America you would probably respond “shed it off.”  Our approach in North America is to use a metal roof with a steep slope that will allow the snow and ice to slide off.  This is called snow shedding. Why do we design this way?  The primary reason is a fear of having the building collapse under a heavy snow load. However the roof angle for snow is different around the world. 

As I design roofs today in ski resort areas, I use one of the above types of roofs and plan to keep the snow on.  I vent the roofs for many reasons:

If you lived in Europe, however, your training and experience would be notably different.  For instance, a roofer in Germany must apprentice before he can become a journeyman. (This compares to our weekly union program that involves very little training on sloped roofs in snow climates.)  A German apprentice’s training includes classroom and onsite work.  Manufacturers sponsor training and provide detailed reference books and manuals.  One key difference in industry’s approach to snow on roofs is that keeping snow on the roof is something that they desire-quite the opposite of the trend in North America.  They would say “use a low slope (approximately 5/12) and keep the snow on.” This is referred to “minimum metal roof pitch” for snow

In an effort to solve the problems associated with moving snow and ice, I have heeded the experience and resources of European construction industry and have implemented their ideas with great success.  Here are some of the key factors in their approach to keeping snow on the roof.

Germans in general are not concerned with snow loads because they design the structure to hold the live load.  Designers there want the architectural freedom to have access around the building.  They also plan to use the snow as an insulation blanket and design a cold roof system to stop ice dam concerns at the eave.  The slope that works best seems to be 5/12.  This allows the snow to stay on while venting the roof system.  They then have the option of putting dormers on the roof without damage to the valleys, penetrations, lower roofs, and property below due to sliding snow and ice.

snow retention

snow retention

To complete this roof system, snow stops/ snow guards (or snow brackets) are used to stop all snow movement. Another term for this is snow catchers for metal roofs. In Europe the majority of roofs are tile.  Many tile manufacturers make field tiles with snow stops as part of the tile. (See tile photo.)  Through extensive testing, they have found the snow stop’s fail point.  Once they know this, they engineer charts which help the consultants calculate how many snow stops are needed from eave to ridge based on roof slope and snow and ice loads to effectively hold the snow and ice on the roof.  With this information, European designers create roofs that effectively hold the snow and ice in place, as well as prevent roof damage and breakage.  (See German chart, page 25.)

snow retention, snow bracket

I have found that if you want to stop damage to the roof from snow and ice, you must stop movement.  Snow fences do not do this, but properly placed snow bracket do.  In my research, I have found different conditions which require snow fences and/or snow brackets.  Snow brackets stop the movement of the snow on the entire roof.  They are typically installed over the entire roof.  Snow fences are meant to stop top-layered snow from sliding off like and avalanche over doorways.  These snow fence brackets normally attach to the rafters on two-foot centers.  If the eave-to-ridge length is over 20 feed, European designers usually place another snow fence row mid-span.  Both snow retention items are sometime necessary.  But without designing the snow retention based on accurate testing, you could be wishing you had that steep slope and metal roof (which was always intended to shed snow). This would be the best roof pitch for snow. It is critical that a designer specify enough snow retention devices based on the slope and snow load.

It makes sense when designing a slant roof to shed snow, not to keep it on.  With expansion and contraction of the metal, it is difficult to attach snow retention devices into the roof decking without causing a roof leak or slotting of the metal panel from the snow bracket fastener.  If you attach only to the metal, the metal sheets can be torn off because of the use of expanding sheet clip system and the weight of the snow being held on.

The following roof types are good for keeping snow on:

  1.  Tile
  2. Asphalt shingles
  3. Wood shakes
  4. Slate

number of snow brackets, snow retentionWhen using these types of roofs, it is important to know which climate you are in (i.e., number of freeze-thaw cycle and altitude and how to control vapor drive and ice damming.  These factors will make a difference in the roof design.  A cold roof system which controls these factors is ideal roof system.  In the cold regions of Europe, the roofers have manuals with detailed specification, details, graphs, and charts which explain cold roof system and how to successfully install them.  This is one reason keeping the snow on the roof is such a widely accepted practice-the roof are planned for it and installed correctly.  In the U.S., there is a manual on roof applications and recommended roof pitch for snow in heavy snow areas prepared by the Western State Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and the National Tile Roofing Manufacturers Association (NTRMA).  This manual promotes the cold roof system and snow retention.

  1. To reduce ice dams and icicles.
  2. To exhaust vapor from the building.
  3. To extend the life of the underlayment.
  4. To provide an insulation blanket on the roof.

 

I follow Austrian venting charts for duct work size from eave to ridge.  I also pay close attention to air intake and exhaust size because many screens reduce air flow by up to 70%.  Then I install snow brackets and snow fences on the roof per manufacturer’s engineering design from eave to ridge.  With this I had great success in Sun Peak, Canada; Grand Targhee, Wyoming; Bear Creek, Colorado; Sundance, Utah, and many more.

Note: this year a manual called Concrete and Clay Tile Roofing Design Criteria Manual for Cold and Snow Regions was commissioned by NTRMA and WSRCA.  The manual helps determine the climate type and explains what design factors are important in the given zone.  It also explains essentials such as ice damming, vapor drive, and ventilation for cold roofs and includes venting charts.  For further information, phone WSRCA at (650) 548-0112.

References:

  • Anderson, Terry, and Gillan, Leland, Concrete Clay Tile Roof Design Criteria manual for Cold and Snow Regions, WSRCA & NTRMA, 1998.
  • Braas Tile Venting Manual
  • Bramac Brochure on Venting, March 1996
  • Redland Roof Tiles Limited, 1998
  • WSRCA/NTRMA Cold Roof Committee
  • Zander Tile Roof Installation Book

By: Terry Anderson

Published: Interface January 1999

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Power of Ice – Sliding Ice & Snow Causes Roof & Property Damage

snow and ice, snow retention

By: John Del Grosso

Published: Architectural West | March/April 2003

The power of snow is seldom apparent as each unique snowflake falls to the ground.  Yet, when snow accumulates on the roof, the damage that can be caused by sliding ice and snow is a major concern.  Tim Ryan, president of the Arrowhead Condominium Association, a Private Unit Development, and head of the property-management firm for the association has firsthand experience in dealing with sliding ice and snow.

Located in Big Sky, Montana, the Arrowhead Condominium Association consisted of 24 units with metal roofs and a 12:12 slope.  These homes are only 10’ to 15’ apart, and each is a ski-in/ski-out unit on a hillside.  During harsh winter weather, the snow, ice dams, and icicles were sliding off the units and damaging neighboring homes.  The front door of one unit even collapsed three different times.  The decks on the buildings had to be closed for the winter, since many rails and decks had been torn off.  On lower shed roofs, not only was the metal roofing torn and bent, but the ¾” plywood sheathing was crushed between the roof’s rafters.

On several occasions, Ryan had worked with the Association’s insurance company assessing the damage.  The insurance company said it would not renew its policy due to the continuing problems.  “Their concern of the ice and snow killing someone was too great,” noted Ryan, “We did not know how to eliminate these problems, so we called Locati Architectures of Bozeman, Montana. They referred us to Terry Anderson of Anderson Associates Consulting, Inc.”

Anderson, who is the co-author of The Cold Roof Manual, published by the Western State Contractors Association and the Roof Tile Institute (RTI), visited the project to review all the damage and concerns.  He concluded that the only way to solve the problem was to stop the movement of ice and snow.

“Anderson recommended an engineered snow-retention system,” Ryan continued. “He also recommended a good ventilation system that, once installed, would stop most of their ice dam and icicle problems.  He visited with the board and gave them several roof options.  After reviewing the choices, the Arrowhead Condominium Association chose concrete roof tiles.  The association felt the concrete tiles had the longest record of use in Europe using a cold-roof design.  They also liked the look of the tile.”

snow and ice, snow retention

After Anderson Associates wrote the specifications and details, the project was bid out to qualified roofing companies who were familiar with the specified cold-roof system.  Trojan Roofing, from Salt Lake city, Utah, was selected.  The choice of all parties was concrete tile produced by Westile, Inc. of Denver, Colorado.

Since ground snow loads increased after the units were built, Anderson Associates hired a local engineering firm to check the structural integrity of the building for retaining snow and ice on the roof.  Securing the rafters properly to the plate-lien and purlins was the only minor change that was required.

Because it was late in the year and winter was approaching, the Arrowhead Association chose 14 of the 24 united to be reroofed immediately.  It was difficult for Trojan Roofing to work in the cold and snow conditions, but it gave all involved a great opportunity to see the difference between the old and new systems.

Many of the homeowners were concerned that the building could not retain snow on a 12:12 slope.  Anderson worked with the homeowners, assuring them that with proper engineering of snow fences and snow brackets, the roof system would retain the snow and ice on the roof.  The system was designed using a fully engineered snow-retention system with TRA Snow Brackets.

“Neither the homeowners nor the association understood what a cold-roof system was and how it would stop ice dams and icicles” stated Anderson.  “We worked very closely with them, explaining that venting air below the roof tile and above the sheathing would make melting and freezing equal from eave to ridge.  We used the RTI and WSRCA Cold Roof Manual and air ventilation charts from Europe.”

Since adequate ventilation was critical to the success of the roof system, Anderson calculated the air-duct size needed from eave to ridge.  He then designed an air-intake system from the eave and a ridge exhaust system in a raised-ridge vent.  Everyone involved was pleased to see the major difference from the old to new system, which was immediately apparent when icicles were eliminated and snow was retained on the roof.

snow retention

Homeowners of the first reroofed units were very pleased with the results.  The owners commented on how exceptional the tile looked with all the copper flashing and the copper TRA Snow Brackets.  The real proof of the improvements between the two roof systems became clear as the snow began to fall; the difference in the two roof systems was obvious.  The newly designed cold-roof system allows the snow to compact naturally with ice in the bottom 3”.  This ice freezes around the triangular portion of the TRA Snow Bracket.  This permits the natural run-off of water to shed between the ice and the roof tile when the outside temperature was above freezing.  Photos were taken to show the other property owners, who are all over the U.S., the improvements.

“The new units have stopped all snow and ice movement as well as icicles,” stated Ryan.  “The old units still have leaks, icicles, ice dams, damaged decks and snow and ice hazards.  Our association and homeowners are very happy with the look and design of the units.  We are looking forward to having the last ten units completed this spring and summer.  Retaining the snow on the roof has also reduced the heavy snow-removal cost.”

According to Ryan, “Credit needs to go to Anderson Associates Consulting, Western State Roofing Contractors Association and the Roof Tile Institute for the work on the Cold Roof Manual that made this system possible as well as the great work done by Trojan roofing while working in such bad winter snow and ice conditions.  The units look beautiful; they are safe and insurable,” concluded Ryan.

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Did Sliding Snow and Ice Damage Your Roof?

As the snow melts off of your roof, it can be nerve wracking to make the first trip up to the top of your house to assess the damage. With snow and ice sliding on and pulling at your roof all winter, there aren’t many homes that make it into the spring time unscathed.

Throughout the winter time you may notice large icicles forming at the edge of your roof or you may even see sheets of snow hanging off of your roof. The pressure that this snow and ice puts on your roof throughout the winter time can be extremely damaging. This spring, take the time to install a system on your roof that will prevent you from making repairs every spring.

damaged-roof-300x200Sound too good to be true? Stick with us! With a few tweaks and changes you can have a roof that is able to hold on to the snow throughout the winter. That’s right, hold on to the snow. If the snow stays on your roof, rather than melting, sliding, re-freezing and breaking it will simply act as an insulating layer for your roof. This insulating layer on your roof will slowly melt away without causing damage as it melts.

Let us help you keep make the necessary changes to your roof to ensure that snow sticks around throughout the winter and melts off naturally. With the right ventilation system, the right tiles and the right brackets we can be sure that you never have to make that scary trip up to your roof to assess winter damage again!