Here in the rocky mountains we have some of the best snow on earth. Long before the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City, skiers and snowboarders were coming from all around the world to enjoy our mountains and our fresh snow. As we were browsing around on youtube this morning to see if we could find any product videos on snow railing, we instead only found a bunch of gnarly clips of pro snow boarders pulling off sweet rail slides and thought that they would at least be sharing! As for rail gliding on our rail guard product, while we know it can withstand the force and pressure, we wouldn’t recommend surfing too hard on anyone’s roof–for your sake as well as theirs!

SLIDE ON OUR RAILS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

We love snow because it gives us great business, but you can’t beat a bit of warm sunshine to brighten up your day. For some folks in various parts of the country or world who live through a distinct snowy and a distinct sunny season each year, protecting roofed solar panels is something that can easily be omitted when thinking about seasonal roof protection.

The good news is that most conventional solar panel types are completely compatible with out panel guard and/or railing systems. Of course, given the slickness of glass or plastic surfaces against tile or metal roofs, the liability of avalanching snow falling is even greater than normal. In most cases, using a peel back adhesive panel guard and/or SB-190 sealant to secure your Sno Shield panel guard will be the most effective option for avalanche retention on your solar panels.

Given the nature of the glass panel materials, solar panels tend to conduct heat much more efficiently, thus melting the snow quicker than standard roofs, which is great because it clears the panels so they can start taking in more sunlight; however on that same token, snow retention is less stable and dangerous avalanches more likely.

In addition to protecting your property however, adding panel guards to your solar panel system may have added benefits beyond standard snow protection… the greater surface area and reflective material of the clear guard can magnify the sun’s rays and energy potential! Although originally designed to provide an efficient but sturdy surface area to dissipate the snow load, our panel guard’s unique (and aesthetic!) triangular design also provides an enhanced area for light absorption. While more of our own scientific tests would be needed to certify this characteristic, this British study on solar panel efficiency affirms the positive effect of reflective materials being used to increase solar panel output!

Here at Sno Shield we love the outdoors, but when we’re indoors we like to be sure our shelter is warm and well protected. It is little wonder then that we are big fans of British ex-SAS survival guru Bear Grylls. Like us, when he is out and about in snow country he likes to be sure that his shelter will protect him from the brutal elements and snow avalanches that are common in any cold winter season. But who’d have thought that you could use snow to build a reliable temporary shelter against snow itself!

While our snow-shelter building experience is limited, our knowledge of roof types and snow guards is second to none… when it comes to shielding your shelter from the snow, we know how our snow guards can help you preserve that ever so valuable roof over your head!

For those of us living in snow country, these last few days have reminded us all of the need to protect ourselves from this great white element. Driving to work yesterday reminded us of this amusing (below), but sobering video taken in Bountiful, Utah, about the same time last year; within the space of just a few minutes there are several crashes, 360s, cars in yards, and other white-nuckle rides that occur on one short strip of residential road.

But for roofers and folks like us in the snow guard industry, the words “sliding snow” mean something quite different altogether… rather than cars sliding on roads, the term to us conveys snow gradually sliding over time on roof surfaces to form some pretty cool-looking, but dangerous and damaging sculptures like in the images below. When large build-ups occur without being managed by controlled snow guard or melting systems, massive avalanches can end up crashing down to destroy not just roof structures, but people, plants, vehicles, and other valuable property. If you are seeing any thing like the picture below, or the beginning of such with snow and ice forming over the edge of the eave, then installing snow guards could end up saving your life!

If you woke up in SE Idaho today, the image below probably isn’t too dissimilar to what you witnessed as you prepared to go out to work this morning! This image was posted by iJump, Southeast Idaho’s Indoor Trampoline Park. Go to their facebook page to comment on the picture, and know that the best caption will win a free VIP Jump pass!

As much as snow for us means good business, do be sure to drive safely in these snow blizzard conditions… make sure your headlights are turned on, and be sure to indicate when you intend to change lanes! We saw a few accidents on the roads this morning due to folks not letting other drivers know where they were, and where they were trying to navigate to!

Whether producing and selling snow guards, ice sculpting, or snow shovelling, there really is no business like snow business!

There are few things as “manly” or as testosterone-filled as working in the roofing trade, and certainly fewer satisfying experiences than seeing your constructed roof hold up and perform over the years of weathering nature’s storms. Mankind has always sought a “roof over the head” for shelter, privacy, and protection from the elements.Given this precedent to the industry, cheaping out on roofing solutions is certainly not a good idea, whether it’s the construction, maintenance, or liability protection aspects of your roof, you need to make sure you are *covered!*

Unless you are Bear Grylls or hanging out as a wilderness survivor, snow guards and a well formed roof should be a *top* priority!

As a final word of wisdom from Highlander when considering your roof protection needs… DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD!

Several years ago in college I was in an international politics class where we were discussing the topic of “soft security” (i.e. not military or economic “hard” security matters); the subset of health security fell under this discussion, and we proceeded to list a range of health issues in the various countries we were assigned to study. Malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, cholera, and other diseases were commonly suggested, at which point the professor stopped and exclaimed “what about accidental death?… wouldn’t you agree that dying is a pretty severe health issue?!”

He went on to explain that many developing countries have much higher rates of accidental/premature death because (useful) bureaucratic structures, safety standards, and best practices are not made, held, or enforced (e.g. perhaps due to weak rule of law). This certainly made us all think about “health” in a very different and broader light–potholes along Main Street, overgrown trees, and even high fructose corn syrup started to then enter the discussion, and we realized that here in the West we have a fair amount of health hazards and safety issues that have very little to do with traditional disease and medication!

So, what does this have to do with snow guards? Well, as you watch the two clips below of snow avalanches in Scotland on both a residential and commercial property (no snow guards), you can see how being caught underneath one would be very bad for your health! Of course, over-regulation is not the answer to securitzing health for the masses, but an attitude of foresight and due diligence among the masses is. Make sure you are the one to use common sense in assessing your roof safety needs, and don’t get “caught under the weather” this winter season!

Roofs and snow have been around since mankind first started roaming the earth; those of us in this trade are simply standing on the shoulders of the giants and great craftsmen who have gone before us–this trade is literally thousands of years old. But video marketing?… That’s a different kettle of fish altogether!

Yesterday we watched a TED presentation by Youtube analyst Kevin Allocca about how and Why Videos Go Viral; whether its Psy’s Gangnam style or a funny product ad, those that get their videos seen by the globe’s millions have their lives or businesses changed forever… or at least a few weeks! While 21st century style marketing is not our immediate area of expertise, fortunately some of our distributors are a little better experienced in this area than we are. Check out Roofthings’ great little clip on how to use and install our snow guards! And hey, if you want to make a product video for us that goes viral… then go for it! We certainly won’t complain!

Ever since retail giant Wal-Mart started naming its employees “associates” the whole of the Western business world has started to view workers as much more than just a name and number on the production line. In addition to delivering quality products and services for our customers, Sno Shield strives to build its business so that we can provide more meaningful jobs and gainful employment for willing and talented workers in the Idaho area.

Out on the shop floor this week we were pleasantly surprised to learn of one of our employee’s hidden graffiti-art talents rendered on the surface of one of the parts boxes he was working from. Not only does Ramon do a great job assuring the quality of your snow guard products, he also makes this task his own, and in the process shares his other talents with the rest of the Sno Shield team. While we’re not sure we’d get this tatooed on our arm, it’s certainly worth sharing in a blog post!

For all employers, remember to look after your employees and they will look after you, and to all employees, think not what your employer can do for you, but what you can do for your employer!

Snow fall and ice forming on roofs is just a fact life for most folks in the winter time, and protruding from most roofs are chimneys, pipes, satellite devices, or other outlets of sorts, that even a conventional snow guard cannot protect adequately. As a result we are now producing and holding a new, logical, and reliable solution for your roof-pipe peace of mind: the pipe diverter!

This unique type of snow diverter acts as a mini roof for any small pipe or outlet that extends up out of the main roof platform, and directs the snow, ice, or precipitation away from and around the pipe you are trying to protect. If you’re in need of enhanced pipe protection, call us today to learn more about the pipe diverter, or order one online from our Rexburg based distributor, Roof Things.

Specifications: 18″ base x 18″ width x 12″ height; 1″ flange; 18 pre-drilled 1/4″ installation holes; made of 18 gauge powder coated galvanized steel. Available in multiple colors.

AKA: chimney cricket, snow/pipe diverter, vent pipe snow guard, pipe roof.

DON’T LET THIS BE YOUR ROOF OR PIPE!