New Standing Seam Polycarbonate Snow Guard for Metal Roofs
Polar Blox™ New Standing Seam (NSS) 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.
NSS 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 system uses clear acrylic ice bars positioned between guards to retain snow and ice. An optional second ice bar provides additional snow retention for areas experiencing heavier snow accumulation. Bottom bar sits 3/8" above the roof panel to assure no snow or ice slides underneath.
Important: NSS Snow Guards are designed to be used with ice bars (rods), which 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 | $1.00 OFF | $13.99 |
| 25–49 | $2.00 OFF | $12.99 |
| 50–99 | $3.00 OFF | $11.99 |
| 100+ | $5.00 OFF | $9.99 |
Volume discounts are automatically applied in your cart.
Discounts apply to snow guards only. Ice Bars (rods) are sold separately.
Roof Compatibility
Polar Blox™ New Standing Seam Snow Guards are designed for standing seam metal roofing systems.
They accommodate:
- Straight standing seams
- T-style standing seams
- L-style standing seams
- Seams up to 2" tall and 1.25" wide
The system is compatible with metal and composite roofing materials when installed on compatible standing seams.
How Many Guards and Rods Do You Need?
Straight-Row Installation
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 NSS 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. Rods are sold separately.
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 guards and 5 rods.
Straight-row and stair-step installations can also be combined on the same roof.
Optional Double-Bar Installation
For additional snow retention, NSS Snow Guards can accommodate a second ice bar.
Simply order twice the standard quantity of rods for the double-bar configuration.
Important: Rods are sold separately and must be selected according to your roof panel width. We do not recommend installing NSS Snow Guards without rods.
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 Polar Blox New Standing Seam (NSS) Snow Guard has a stated load rating of 1,300 pounds per guard when correctly installed.
For preliminary planning, a 10% reduction from the stated rating provides a working-load allowance of 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. |
Example: A calculated load of 600 pounds per guard falls within the preliminary single-row range.
Important: These ranges are preliminary estimates assuming appropriate load distribution between rows. Actual row requirements must be verified for the specific roof.
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: Reinforced, cube-shaped 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 straight, T-style, and L-style standing seams up to 2" tall and 1.25" wide.
- Snow and Ice Retention: Helps prevent dangerous snow and ice from sliding off metal roofs.
- Standard Ice Bar: A 1" diameter acrylic rod positioned 3/8" above the roof surface helps retain snow and ice.
- Optional Double-Bar System: A second acrylic rod can be installed 1/4" above the standard bar to provide additional snow retention.
- Reinforced Design: Heavy-duty, cube-shaped profile provides 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 guards and acrylic rods minimize the visual impact on the roof.
- Custom Colors Available: Colored NSS 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 — Ready to Ship
Larger orders of 1,000 or more guards may require 1–2 weeks to ship.
Custom-colored guards will require additional lead time.
Dimensions
- Base: 3" × 3"
- Face: 3" × 3"
- Ice Bar Diameter: 1"
- Standard Ice Bar Clearance: 3/8" above roof surface
- Optional Second Ice Bar: 1/4" above the standard bar
Ice bars are cut to match the roof panel width, typically 1.5" shorter than the pan width.
