This blog highlights standard pad-style snow guard layout options and the process for roofing professionals to receive layout recommendations for any of Alpine’s 20+ pad-style snow guards.
Remember to follow Alpine’s snow guard layout recommendations to achieve the best performance.
Performance Data Facilitates Better Solutions
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.
Standard Pad-Style Layouts Options & Estimated Quantities
Alpine’s recommended layouts are based on structural testing of our pad-style snow guards combined with our company founder’s nearly 40 years of experience in roofing.
- All layouts begin with a 3-row pattern
A Quick Word About Pad and Pipe-Style Difference
Both styles are intended to hold a snow mass and allow it to shed gradually. 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.

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: 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

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
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:
1. Free Snow Guard Calculator
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- Sign up at https://alpinesnowguards.com/projects and enter roof details to receive instant quotes, recommended layouts specific to your projects, the option to order online and more
2. Roof Plan
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- Email your roof plan information to info@alpinesnowguards.com
3. Layout Request Form
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- Fill out and email form to info@alpinesnowguards.com
Pad-Style Materials and Roof Types
Alpine’s pad-style snow guards are manufactured using durable materials like aluminum, brass, copper, FreedomGray™, galvanized steel, lead coated copper, Rheinzink® and stainless steel. They are designed for ease of installation and there are precision-engineered pad-style snow guards for multiple roof types.
Roofer Resources
In addition to a knowledgeable customer service team & technical support manager, ALPINESNOWGUARDS.COM is your go-to for:
- Downloadable Cut Sheets, Specifications, Install Instructions & more
- Free Recommended Layouts
- Free Snow Guard Calculator
- Product Install Videos
- Roofing Manufacturer List – 500+ Materials Matched with Alpine’s Snow Guards
- Snow Guard Installation Advice & Tips
We keep snow in its place
888.766.4273
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Alpine SnowGuards designs, engineers, and manufactures snow management systems from our facilities in Morrisville, VT. We work closely with leading roofing contractors, engineering firms, developers, and roofing manufacturers to ensure we deliver quality products that do what we say they’ll do. Alpine SnowGuards can help a building qualify for LEED® credits.