Back in 1983 I was living in Vermont, taking on some slate roofing repair jobs, the occasional small addition (2-3 roofing squares), cleaning out bird droppings for church steeple projects and was generally just trying to figure out how to make my way. By chance, as I was focusing on slate salvage, I had run Keep reading . . .
Category: Snow Guard Advice & Installation Tips
Snow Guard Advice & Installation Tips – Alpine SnowGuards’ expert advice, tips and videos on installing snow and solar snow management systems.
Which Snow Guard is Right for My Project?
Let’s assume you’ve read my blog about the difference between pad-style snow guards (deterrent) and pipe-style snow guards (barricade). These previous posts are available on the Alpine SnowGuards website to help you determine which snow guard is right for your project. In the past, I’ve used the famous Frank Lloyd Wright approach to architecture design: Keep reading . . .
Managing Snow and Ice on Solar Panel Arrays
Last week, we covered Snow Guards for Solar Panels, and since that post, several questions and comments have come up regarding the pros and cons of managing snow and ice on solar panel arrays. Avalanching Snow on Solar Panels I’ve always been a strong advocate for not using snow retention devices unless they’re needed. If Keep reading . . .
Snow Management System Design Elements
I want to start off by saying that I am really enjoying writing these blogs! What a great opportunity to share acquired knowledge and re-connect with the industry. Thank you for reading, and thank you for your questions. Two weekends ago, my wife and business partner, Sandy and I visited a ranch in Montana where Keep reading . . .
How Do Snow Guards Work? (Part 2: Pipe-Style)
In part one of this two-part blog series, we talked about snow guards and customer expectations. We specifically referred to reference installation and use of pad-style snow guards to answer the question, “How do Snow Guards Work?” This time let’s shift the focus to pipe-style snow guards. Pipe-Style Snow Guards Pipe-style snow guards act as Keep reading . . .
How Do Snow Guards Work? (Part 1: Pad-Style)
Believe it or not, this is a highly debated question within the construction and snow retention industries. It’s a common misconception that snow guards are intended to break up snow and ice into little pieces, basically cut up the mass, so that it comes off in smaller pieces. It’s easy to understand how people with Keep reading . . .
Snow Guards and Customer Expectations
One of the more common questions we’re asked here at Alpine SnowGuards is, “are snow guards necessary?” I’ve taught my staff to respond, “snow guards are optional”. Why are snow guards optional? Let’s start with the fact that most building owners don’t want them. And why is this? It varies with construction type, aesthetics, finances, Keep reading . . .
Designing a Snow Management System
Reprint of an article by Alpine SnowGuards’ founder and president, Brian Stearns, published in RCI Magazine. At Alpine SnowGuards, we’ve been designing, engineering, and manufacturing snow management solutions for nearly 25 years! Just over 10 years ago, the founder and president of Alpine SnowGuards, Brian Stearns, wrote the below editorial for RCI Magazine. A decade Keep reading . . .
The Correct Way to Remove Roof Snow
Alpine SnowGuards are designed to help keep snow and ice from avalanching off the roof all at once causing damage to structures, landscaping, vehicles, and most importantly, people below. When more snow than expected accumulates on the roof, it should be removed, only if it can be done so safely and without risk of injury. Keep reading . . .
This is Why Snow Guards & Gutters Should Go Hand-in-Hand
There are parts of our homes that most of us don’t think about all that often, until we’re forced to. One of those areas is our gutters. They’re there, they do their job, we clean debris & leaves out of them periodically throughout the year, spray them off from time to time to eliminate staining, Keep reading . . .