Snow Retention Systems

What are Snow Guards for metal roofs?

Snow guard is a term commonly used to group together snow retention systems. Snow guards are metal guards, bars, fences or cleats designed to control snow and ice as it melts. They prevent large sheets of snow from sliding off all at once — helping protect your gutters, landscaping, walkways, and people on the ground.

Our solution is simple: Snow Bars installed on standing seam metal roofing panels. Snow Bars stop large sheets of snow from sliding off all at once. They keep your property safer and your roof weathertight, without needing fasteners that puncture the metal or damage your roof system.

With over 35 years of experience in metal roofing, Preferred Panels installs Snow Bars on both new and existing standing seam metal roofs — and we stand by them as the only snow guards for metal roofs worth using. They’re clean, efficient, and built to handle tough Wisconsin winters without compromising your roof’s watertight protection.

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Snow Bars are non-penetrating and fasten directly to the seams, keeping your roof intact and leak-free. Corrugated roofing systems often call for drilling or screwing through metal roofing panels, which can compromise the watertight seal and lead to long-term problems like leaks, rust, and rot. That defeats the entire purpose of a metal r

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Clean Look with 36 Color Options

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

We install Snow Bars in up to 36 color options, so you can match your roof or make a subtle accent. Whether you want them to blend in or stand out, the result is always clean and professional. Color-matched bars are especially popular on standing seam metal roofs, where they integrate almost invisibly into the roofline.

Color charts and color samples are available upon request!

Easy, Efficient Installation

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Snow Bars come in 8-foot sections that connect easily and are designed for both new installs and retrofits. They clamp securely to the side of the standing seam — not the top — which makes them significantly stronger than other non-penetrating snow retention systems. By fastening to the side of the seam, Snow Bars distribute snow load mor

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Durable, Long-Term Performance

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Snow Bars are engineered to withstand harsh winters. Their continuous design spreads out snow loads evenly across the roof, reducing the risk of failure at individual points (like you might see with snow guards). With fewer joints and minimal hardware, Snow Bars are also less prone to wear and tear over time.

A chart ranking snow bars, guards, rails and fences based on looks, cost, install time & durability

Snow Bars vs Other Snow Guards: What's the Difference?

Why Choose Snow Bars?

While there are multiple ways to hold snow back on a roof, most aren’t worth the time, cost, or long-term hassle. Here’s why we only recommend and install Snow Bars on standing seam metal roofing panels:

Snow Guards are small and spread across the roof in dozens of pieces. That means more time on the roof, more hardware, and higher cost for full coverage — especially for larger buildings. They’re also more visible and less consistent in performance.
Snow Rails are heavier-duty but rarely worth the added expense. They require more support, more parts, and often attach with through-fasteners, creating long-term risks for leaks and rust.
Snow Fences are large, decorative, and expensive. They’re hard to install, very visible, and typically reserved for high-end buildings where appearance is a priority — but they still involve roof penetrations and complex labor.

Snow Bars solve all of those problems. They install cleanly, cost less, and protect your roof without sacrificing its weather resistance. For any building with a standing seam metal roof — residential, commercial, industrial — Snow Bars are the right choice.

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We believe in doing things once — and doing them right. That’s why we don’t waste time offering complicated or overpriced snow retention systems.

Our Snow Bars are designed specifically for standing seam roofing panels, and they clamp on securely without penetrating the roof. That means no leaks, no rust, and no risk to your roof’s watertight seal.

We’ve installed this system on everything from homes and shops to barns and warehouses, and we stand behind our work with a 20-year workmanship guarantee.

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How to Install Snow Guards

This guide covers the installation of S-5! ColorGard snow guards using unpunched crossmembers.
The SnoClip is optional — most homeowners choose not to install it.

Tools Required

Ratchet
13mm socket
Chalk line
Reciprocating or circular saw with non-ferrous blade (for trimming crossmembers, if needed)
(Optional) T30 bit (if installing SnoClips)

Step 1: Clamp Setup & First Section Installation

1a. Prep the Clamps and First Section

Pre-assemble all clamps on the ground by attaching VersaClips with M8 bolts to each clamp. Partially install 2 set screws into each clamp.
Take a set of three clamps and loosely fasten the crossmember to them using the upslope bolt holes.
On the roof, install two end clamps at each end of the run, spaced 3–6 inches from the eave.
Snap a chalk line between the two end clamps to establish a straight line for the installation.

1b. Install the First Section

Take the 3-clamp crossmember assembly and attach it to the two end clamps on the roof, aligning with the chalk line.
With the bolts still loose, insert the ColorStrip into the crossmember channel, then tighten the bolts.
- Stagger ColorStrip joints so they don’t line up with crossmember joints.
- Overlap each strip by ½ inch (13 mm).
Insert a splice into the open end of the crossmember to connect the next section.

Step 2: Continue Installing Crossmembers

On the ground, build the next 3-clamp crossmember section (with VersaClips and M8 Bolts pre-attached).
Slide this new section onto the splice already in place.
Fasten the clamps to the roof, keeping everything aligned with the chalk line.
Repeat this process across the roof, section by section:
- Insert ColorStrip.
- Insert splice.
- Install and align.
- Continue until the full run is installed.

Step 3: Final Tightening

Once all sections are in place, check alignment one final time.
Tighten all M8 bolts progressively to 160 inch-pounds (18 Nm) using a torque wrench or use a ratchet and 13mm to get them as tight as you can.

Step 4: Trimming & End Sections

If the final crossmember section needs trimming, cut it using a non-ferrous blade.
Ensure:
- The crossmember does not extend more than 8 inches beyond the last clamp.
- Any trimmed piece is supported with at least two clamps.
Use splice pieces at all joints to maintain structural integrity.

Optional: SnoClip Installation

SnoClips are typically used for added snow retention, but most homeowners do not install them unless recommended.

Install one SnoClip per panel, centered between two clamps.
If more than one per panel is needed, space them evenly between clamps.

Hinge the SnoClip over the crossmember, ensuring the rubber foot contacts the roof panel.

Using the included fastener and a T30 bit, drive the screw into the crossmember channel.

Tighten to 50 inch-pounds (5–6 Nm).
If the screw head shears during installation, this is normal and will not affect function.

Snow Retention Systems

What are Snow Guards for metal roofs?

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Clean Look with 36 Color Options

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Easy, Efficient Installation

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Snow Guard - Bar

Snow Guard - Fully Assembled Clamp

Snow Guard - Assembly

Snow Bars vs Other Snow Guards: What's the Difference?

Why Choose Snow Bars?

Request a Quote

S-5 Snow Guard Examples

How to Install Snow Guards

Tools Required

Step 1: Clamp Setup & First Section Installation

1a. Prep the Clamps and First Section

1b. Install the First Section

Step 2: Continue Installing Crossmembers

Step 3: Final Tightening

Step 4: Trimming & End Sections

Optional: SnoClip Installation

Ask the Experts

Snow Retention Systems

What are Snow Guards for metal roofs?

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Clean Look with 36 Color Options

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Easy, Efficient Installation

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Other Systems Drill Holes — Ours Don’t

Durable, Long-Term Performance

Snow Guard - Bar

Snow Guard - Fully Assembled Clamp

Snow Guard - Assembly

Snow Bars vs Other Snow Guards: What's the Difference?

Why Choose Snow Bars?

Request a Quote

S-5 Snow Guard Examples

How to Install Snow Guards

Tools Required

Step 1: Clamp Setup & First Section Installation

1a. Prep the Clamps and First Section

1b. Install the First Section

Step 2: Continue Installing Crossmembers

Step 3: Final Tightening

Step 4: Trimming & End Sections

Optional: SnoClip Installation

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Ask the Experts

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