Screw and Adhesive Mounted Polycarbonate Snow Guards | Polar Blox

Minor Rib Snow Guard

$10.00

Minor Rib Polycarbonate Snow Guard for Metal Roofs

Polar Blox™ Minor Rib Snow Guards are durable, UV-protected polycarbonate snow retention devices designed to straddle the reinforcing ribs found on many metal roofing panels. Suitable for new construction and retrofit applications, these guards help prevent snow and ice from sliding off metal roofs and damaging gutters or property below.

Minor Rib Snow Guards can be installed using mechanical fasteners with sealant or SB-190 adhesive, depending on roofing material and installation requirements.

Available in clear and custom colors, these snow guards feature a reinforced design and offer flexible installation options for metal roofing applications.

Volume Discounts — Starting at Just 10 Pieces!

Quantity	Discount Per Guard	Price Per Guard
10–24	$2.00 OFF	$8.00
25–49	$3.00 OFF	$7.00
50–99	$4.00 OFF	$6.00
100+	$5.00 OFF	$5.00

Our Best Direct-to-Consumer Pricing!

Volume discounts are automatically applied in your cart.

Ordering 500 or more? Email us at info@polarblox.com for additional volume pricing.

Roof Compatibility

Polar Blox™ Minor Rib Snow Guards are designed to straddle the reinforcing rib on compatible metal roofing panels.

Their stepped base accommodates the raised minor rib, allowing the guard to sit in position over the reinforcing profile.

Roof panel profiles and rib dimensions must be checked for compatibility before installation.

Calculating the Number of Snow Guard Rows Needed

The number of snow guard rows required depends on the roof run (distance from the eave to the ridge), the roof's snow load, the center-to-center (CTC) guard spacing, and the installation method.

Calculation Formula:

Roof Run (feet) × Ground Snow Load (lb/ft²) × Guard Spacing (feet) = Estimated Load Per Guard (pounds)

Example:

Roof Run: 20 feet
Ground Snow Load: 30 lb/ft²
Guard Spacing: 12 inches (1 foot)

Calculation:

20 × 30 × 1 = 600 pounds per guard

Snow Guard Load Ratings

Polar Blox Minor Rib Snow Guards have the following stated load ratings when correctly installed:

Installation Method	Stated Load Rating	Working Load With 10% Reduction
SB-190 Adhesive	850 pounds per guard	765 pounds per guard
Mechanical Fasteners	3,700 pounds per guard	3,330 pounds per guard

For preliminary planning, a 10% reduction has been applied to the stated load ratings.

Actual allowable loads depend on the installation method, roofing material, attachment strength, and roof conditions.

Recommended Number of Snow Guard Rows and Placement — Adhesive Mounting

For Minor Rib Snow Guards installed using SB-190 adhesive, the preliminary working-load allowance is 765 pounds per guard, based on the stated 850-pound rating with a 10% reduction.

Calculated Load Per Guard	Recommended Rows	Row Placement
Up to 765 pounds	1 Row	Position over the load-bearing wall near the eave.
Over 765–1,530 pounds	2 Rows	First row over the load-bearing wall. Second row halfway between the first row and the eave.
Over 1,530–2,295 pounds	3 Rows	First row over the load-bearing wall. Additional rows spaced according to roof conditions and an approved layout.
Above 2,295 pounds	Additional rows required	Determine row quantity and placement based on the roof's specific loading requirements.

Recommended Number of Snow Guard Rows and Placement — Mechanical Fastener Mounting

For Minor Rib Snow Guards installed using a minimum of four appropriate mechanical fasteners, the preliminary working-load allowance is 3,330 pounds per guard, based on the stated 3,700-pound rating with a 10% reduction.

Calculated Load Per Guard	Recommended Rows	Row Placement
Up to 3,330 pounds	1 Row	Position over the load-bearing wall near the eave.
Over 3,330–6,660 pounds	2 Rows	First row over the load-bearing wall. Second row halfway between the first row and the eave.
Over 6,660–9,990 pounds	3 Rows	First row over the load-bearing wall. Additional rows spaced according to roof conditions and an approved layout.
Above 9,990 pounds	Additional rows required	Determine row quantity and placement based on the roof's specific loading requirements.

Example: A calculated load of 600 pounds per guard falls within the preliminary single-row range for either installation method.

Important: These charts are preliminary planning estimates based on the stated load ratings, a 10% reduction, and assumed load distribution between rows. They are not verified installation schedules. Load ratings, appropriate safety factors, attachment strength, number of rows, and placement must be verified for the specific roof before installation. Adhesive installation must follow the adhesive manufacturer's surface preparation, temperature, and curing requirements.

Recommendations for Wider Roof Panels

For panels wider than 12", multiple snow guards per panel can help reduce the load on individual guards and limit snow and ice sliding between them.

Panels over 16" wide: We recommend two guards per panel.
Panels over 30" wide: We recommend three guards per panel.

Guard placement must account for the minor-rib profile and available compatible mounting surfaces.

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.
Minor Rib Design: Stepped base designed to straddle the reinforcing rib on compatible metal roofing panels.
Flexible Installation Options: Can be mechanically installed using washer-head screws and sealant or installed using SB-190 adhesive.
Pre-Drilled Mounting Holes: Features six pre-drilled mounting holes for mechanical installation.
Reinforced Design: A 5" × 3" face, 5" × 3" base, and four interior reinforcing ribs provide a stated load rating of 3,700 pounds per guard when correctly mechanically fastened.
Snow and Ice Retention: Helps prevent snow and ice from sliding off metal roofs and damaging gutters or property below.
UV Protection: UV-protected polycarbonate resists fading and deterioration from sunlight and harsh weather.
Economical Solution: Provides an effective and economical snow retention option.
Patented Design: Aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive design that minimizes the visual impact on the roof.
Optional Colors: Colored Minor Rib Snow Guards are available by contacting Polar Blox for a quotation.