Keep the Snow on the Roof, Not on Your Deck
If you have a metal roof in Kelowna, you’ve probably seen what happens after a big snowfall followed by a sunny afternoon. The snow sits there for a day or two, then the whole load lets go at once. Snow guards (also called snow retention, snow rails or snow bars) hold that snow on the roof so it melts off slowly instead of sliding off in one heavy sheet.
I’m Jared Hanson, a journeyman architectural sheet metal worker trained through the Roofing Contractors Association of BC (RCABC). I design and install snow retention on metal roofs across Kelowna and the Okanagan, and I do every job myself, from the first measurement to the last clamp.
Why a Metal Roof Needs Snow Retention in the Okanagan
A standing seam metal roof is very good at shedding snow. That’s one of the reasons it suits our climate. The catch is where that snow goes, and that’s why I install snow guards. Kelowna and the rest of the Okanagan get heavy snow, big temperature swings and a lot of freeze-thaw days. Snow that builds up on smooth metal can release all at once, and a sliding load of wet snow and ice is heavy enough to do real damage.
Snow retention matters most where sliding snow would land on something you care about:
- Entrances and doorways, where people walk in and out all winter
- Decks, patios and hot tubs below the eaves
- Driveways, walkways and places where you park
- Gutters, which can be bent or torn off by a sliding load
- Lower roofs, awnings, skylights and anything mounted on the wall below
- Gardens, shrubs and landscaping along the drip line
The goal is simple: keep the snow on the roof until it melts off gradually, and prevent the sudden slides that can wreck gutters, landscaping and vehicles, or hurt people and pets.
How My Low-Profile Square-Bar Snow Retention System Works
I install my own clamp-on snow guard system, made to work with standing seam roofs. Clamps fasten onto the raised seams, and a bar runs across the panels to hold the snow back. Because it clamps onto the seams, there are no penetrations through the roof. No holes in the panels, and the integrity of your roof system stays intact.
What makes my system different is the bar itself. It’s my own design, with a distinctive square bar that sits lower and tighter to the roof than most traditional systems. That does two things:
- It looks clean. A low, tight bar follows the lines of a standing seam roof instead of sticking up like an afterthought.
- It’s strong. It’s built to hold snow on the roof.
The bars and clamps are aluminum, and the bars can be powder coated in custom colours to match or complement your roof.
Snow Guards vs Snow Retention: What’s the Difference?
Most homeowners ask for “snow guards.” Kelowna roofers and others in the trade usually call it “snow retention.” They’re the same job: stopping snow from sliding off the roof.
There are two common styles. Pad-style snow guards are small individual brackets spread across the roof in a pattern. Bar or rail systems, like mine, use clamps on the seams and a continuous bar across the panels. Here’s my honest take: I don’t install pad-style snow guards. A clamp-on bar system gives you a continuous line of retention and a much tidier look, and it’s what I recommend.
Planning the Layout: Placement and Roof Pitch
Good snow retention is more than bolting a bar near the eave. Before I recommend anything, I look at:
- The pitch of the roof and how long each slope is from ridge to eave
- What sits below each eave: doors, decks, driveways, walkways, lower roofs
- Which slopes get the sun and which stay shaded and hold snow longer
- The panel profile and seam spacing of your roof
Snow Retention on New Roofs and Existing Metal Roofs
The easiest time to add snow retention is when the roof goes on. I’m already up there, the layout is fresh, and the bars can be planned in from day one instead of added later.
That said, a lot of homeowners only find out they need snow guards after their first winter under a metal roof, usually after a slide lands somewhere it shouldn’t. Adding snow retention to an existing standing seam roof is often possible. On screw-down (exposed-fastener) metal roofs, in some cases I can add brake-formed snow stops, but not in very heavy snow-load areas like ski hills.
If you’re planning a new roof, ask me about snow retention when I come out to quote. If you already have a metal roof and you’re worried about what’s sliding off it, I’d be happy to come take a look.
Where I Install Snow Guards: Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and the Okanagan
I install snow retention systems in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Penticton, Peachland, Summerland and throughout the Okanagan. Every property is different. A lakeside home in Peachland, a hillside house in West Kelowna and an acreage outside Vernon can see very different snow, wind and sun, and higher properties tend to hold snow longer. I look at your site before I recommend a layout.
Why Local Homeowners Choose Me
- I do every job myself. No sales rep, no subcontractors, no crew you’ve never met. The person who quotes your job is the person on your roof.
- RCABC-trained journeyman. I completed my apprenticeship through the Roofing Contractors Association of BC, with training in architectural sheet metal and building envelope systems.
- My own low-profile snow bar. A square-bar design that sits low and tight to the roof and is built for standing seam.
- Snow retention planned with the roof. I install the standing seam roofing too, so the snow retention is part of the whole roof system, not an add-on.
- Upfront pricing and realistic timelines. I’d rather take the time to do it right than rush it, and I clean up after myself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need snow guards on my metal roof?
Not every roof needs them, but most metal roofs above entrances, decks, driveways, walkways or lower roofs do. If sliding snow would land where people walk, park or relax, snow retention is worth it. I’ll give you an honest opinion when I look at your home.
Can you add snow retention to my existing metal roof?
In many cases, yes. It depends on the type of roof. On standing seam, a clamp-on system is usually the way to go. On screw-down (exposed-fastener) metal roofs, I can sometimes add brake-formed snow stops, but not in very heavy snow-load areas like ski hills. Send me a few photos or have me come out, and I’ll let you know what will work.
Will snow guards damage my roof?
My clamp-on bar system attaches to the standing seams with no penetrations through the roof. Clamp-on is the best way to add snow retention and keep your roof’s integrity intact.
When is the best time to install snow guards?
Ideally when your metal roof goes on. For an existing roof, call me in late summer or fall so the system is on before the snow arrives.
How much do snow guards cost?
It depends on how many metres of bar you need, how many rows, the roof pitch and how easy the roof is to get to. I’m upfront with pricing and give free quotes, so you’ll know the number before any work starts.
Get Snow Retention on Your Roof Before the Next Big Snowfall
If snow is sliding off your roof onto your deck, driveway or front step, I can help. Call or text me directly at 250-503-7577 for a free quote on snow guards. Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon or anywhere in the Okanagan, I’ll come take a look, explain your options and give you an honest, upfront price with no pressure.