architecture - engineering - construction

Alpine’s Optimal Pipe-Style Snow Guard Layouts

Aug 01, 2023

Alpine has been designing, engineering and manufacturing snow guards since 1993. In that time, we have established snow guard layout recommendations based upon roofing experience, snow guard design and testing. Alpine’s ongoing collection of performance data facilitates better solutions and layout suggestions. This blog highlights the process for roofing professionals to receive layout recommendations for any of Alpine’s 20+ pipe-style snow guards.

Remember to follow Alpine’s snow guard layout recommendations to achieve the best performance.

A Quick Word About Pipe & Pad-Style Difference

First, the pipe-style snow guard layout is different from pad-style layout. Both are intended to hold a snow mass and allow it to shed gradually. While pad-styles add friction to allow snow to release in small chunks, pipe-styles act as barricades to hold snow until it sheds as meltwater. The same is true of our fence-styles.

Assess a roof for snow management system design

Roofs shed snow in valleys and at the eaves increasing the need for additional snow management in lower areas. Roofing design considerations include egress points, architectural elements, potential for property damage and:

Eave & rafter length
Roof pitch
Roof material
Ground snow load
Dormers, upper roofs, mechanicals and more

Roofs shed snow in valleys and at the eaves increasing the need for additional snow management in lower areas.

Recommended snow guard layout design

Snow guards should be concentrated along the eave
Upper roofs, dormers and rooftop architectural elements will impact snow guard layout
On roofs with greater rafter length, steeper pitches, higher ground snow loads, additional snow management devices are needed higher up the roof

On roofs with greater rafter length, steeper pitches, higher ground snow loads, additional snow management devices are needed higher up the roof.

Get a Free Recommended Layout

Knowing a roof’s details helps us recommend the correct system and proper number of tiers to minimize, reduce or eliminate the effects of a cresting snow mass. Here are three ways to provide us with necessary information:

Free Snow Guard Calculator

Sign up at AlpineSnowGuards.com/Projects and enter roof details to receive instant quotes, recommended layouts specific to your projects, the option to order online and more

Roof Plan

Email your roof plan information to [email protected].

Layout Request Form

Fill out a Layout Request Form and email form to [email protected].

Pipe-Style Materials and Roof Types

Alpine’s pipe-style snow guards are manufactured using durable materials like aluminum, brass and stainless steel. They are designed for ease of installation and there are precision-engineered pipe-style snow guards for multiple roof types.