Original Standing Seam Snow Retention System for Metal Roofs
Polar Blox™ Original Standing Seam (OSS) Snow Guards are durable, UV-protected polycarbonate snow retention devices designed specifically for standing seam metal roofing systems. Suitable for new construction and retrofit applications, these snow guards help prevent snow and ice from sliding off metal roofs and damaging gutters or property below.
OSS Snow Guards attach directly to standing seams using SST mechanical fasteners without penetrating the roofing panels, helping prevent leaks associated with roof penetrations. They can be installed in any weather conditions.
The Original Standing Seam Snow Guard can be installed as an individual stand-alone guard or combined with clear acrylic Ice Bars (rods) to create a connected snow retention system.
The optional 1" diameter Ice Bar mounts 3/8" above the roof surface to help retain snow and ice.
Important: Ice Bars (rods) are sold separately. Select the appropriate rod length for your roof's panel width from the drop-down menu.
Volume Discounts — Starting at Just 10 Pieces!
| Quantity | Discount Per Guard | Price Per Guard |
|---|---|---|
| 10–24 | $2.00 OFF | $12.99 |
| 25–49 | $3.00 OFF | $11.99 |
| 50–99 | $4.00 OFF | $10.99 |
| 100+ | $5.00 OFF | $9.99 |
Volume discounts are automatically applied in your cart.
Discounts apply to snow guards only. Ice Bars are sold separately.
Roof Compatibility
Polar Blox™ Original Standing Seam Snow Guards are designed for standing seam metal roofing systems.
They accommodate:
- Standing seams up to 1/2" wide.
- Standing seams up to 1 9/16" tall.
- Taller seams, although the guard will sit higher above the roof surface.
The system is compatible with metal and composite roofing materials when installed on compatible standing seams.
How Many Guards and Rods Do You Need?
Stand-Alone Installation — No Rods
Original Standing Seam Snow Guards can be installed individually without connecting Ice Bars.
For a typical stand-alone installation, order one guard for each standing seam where a guard will be installed.
Important: On wider roof panels measuring 12" or more, snow and ice may slide between individual guards. Consider a connected Ice Bar system for additional snow retention.
Straight-Row Installation With Ice Bars
For a continuous horizontal row across your roof, count the actual standing seams where guards will be installed.
- Number of standing seams = Number of guards
- Number of guards − 1 = Number of rods
Example:
A roof with 35 full-width panels and one half-width panel at each end has 36 standing seams between panels.
For one continuous row, you will need:
- 36 OSS Snow Guards
- 35 acrylic rods
Important: Roofs often have partial-width panels at the outside edges. Count the actual standing seams rather than relying solely on the number of full-width panels.
Select the appropriate rod length for your roof's panel width from the drop-down menu.
Stair-Step Installation
For stair-step installations running vertically up the roof, each individual step requires two guards and one rod.
Example: Five separate steps require:
- 10 OSS Snow Guards
- 5 acrylic Ice Bars (rods)
Straight-row and stair-step installations can also be combined on the same roof. Calculate the quantities needed for each section separately.
Combination Installations
Stand-alone guards and connected guard-and-rod installations can be used on different sections of the same roof, depending on the application.
Calculate the required quantities separately for each section.
Calculating Rows Needed
Use the following formula to estimate snow load and determine the number of rows needed.
Formula:
Run (distance from eave to ridge) × Ground Snow Load × CTC (center-to-center panel spacing) in feet.
Example:
For a roof with:
- 20' run (eave to ridge)
- 30# ground snow load
- 12" CTC panel spacing (1 foot)
Calculation:
20 × 30 × 1 = 600 pounds of estimated load per guard
Snow Guard Load Rating:
The Original Standing Seam system has a stated rating of 1,300 pounds per guard when correctly installed.
For preliminary planning, the following chart incorporates a 10% safety margin, reducing the working load allowance to 1,170 pounds per guard per row.
Recommended Number of Snow Guard Rows and Placement
| Calculated Load Per Guard | Recommended Rows | Row Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,170 pounds | 1 Row | Position over the load-bearing wall near the eave. |
| Over 1,170–2,340 pounds | 2 Rows | First row over the load-bearing wall. Second row halfway between the first row and the eave. |
| Over 2,340–3,510 pounds | 3 Rows | First row over the load-bearing wall. Additional rows spaced according to roof conditions and an approved layout. |
| Above 3,510 pounds | Additional rows required | Determine row quantity and placement based on the roof's specific loading requirements. |
Snow Guard Load Rating: 1,300 pounds per guard, using a preliminary working-load allowance of 1,170 pounds after a 10% reduction.
Important: This chart is preliminary planning guidance, not a verified manufacturer installation schedule. Row quantities and placement must be confirmed for the specific roof and snow loads before installation.
Need Help Determining How Many Snow Guards You Need?
Contact Polar Blox by phone or email for assistance determining the appropriate number of snow guards and rows for your roof.
Roof geometry, snow conditions, standing seam spacing, and other factors must be considered to ensure proper performance.
Important: These calculations are general planning guidelines, not an engineered installation design. The stated 1,300-pound rating and the suitability of the proposed row arrangement must be verified for the specific roof, attachment, and loading conditions. The installer is responsible for confirming the appropriate layout.
Advantages
- Durable Polycarbonate Construction: Full-size polycarbonate snow guard designed for new construction and retrofit applications.
- Non-Penetrating Installation: SST mechanical fasteners attach directly to the standing seam without penetrating the roofing panels.
- All-Weather Installation: Mechanical attachment allows installation in any weather conditions.
- Standing Seam Compatibility: Designed to fit standing seams up to 1/2" wide and 1 9/16" tall.
- Flexible Installation Options: Can be used individually as a stand-alone snow guard or connected with optional Ice Bars to create a snow retention system.
- Snow and Ice Retention: Helps prevent dangerous snow and ice from sliding off metal roofs.
- Optional Ice Bar: A 1" diameter acrylic rod positioned 3/8" above the roof surface provides additional snow retention.
- Reinforced Design: Two interior reinforcing ribs and a center support provide additional strength and durability.
- UV Protection: UV-protected polycarbonate resists fading and deterioration from sunlight and harsh weather.
- Economical Solution: Provides an effective and economical snow retention option.
- Low-Visibility Appearance: Clear snow guards minimize the visual impact on the roof.
- Custom Colors Available: Colored OSS Snow Guards are available for an additional charge and may require additional lead time.
- Free Installation Guidance: Recommended installation layouts and schematics are available upon request.
Availability and Lead Time
Typically In Stock
Larger orders of 1,000 or more guards may require 1–2 weeks to ship.
Custom-colored guards may require additional lead time.
Dimensions
- Base: 5" × 3"
- Face: 5" × 3"
- Optional Ice Bar Diameter: 1"
- Ice Bar Clearance: 3/8" above roof surface
Ice Bars are cut to match your roof panel width, approximately 1" shorter than the ordered pan length.
Looking for a stand-alone snow guard without rods?
