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. Other systems often call for drilling or screwing through metal 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 roof — keeping your home or building dry, weatherproof, and low-maintenance.

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.

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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