Spacing Guide
Snow Guard Spacing Guide
Spacing is one of the most important factors in snow guard performance. Glacier Snow Guards are designed to work as a complete system — not as individual units. Proper spacing ensures snow load is distributed across the roof instead of stressing a single guard.
Key Spacing Principles
- Install guards approximately 12 inches apart within each row
- Space rows based on roof pitch and snow load
- Always stagger rows to distribute load evenly
- Install as a complete system, not isolated units
Important: Installing too few snow guards is the most common cause of system failure.
Row Spacing by Roof Conditions
Use the guidelines below to determine spacing between rows based on snow load (psf) and roof pitch.
| Snow Load (psf) | Low Pitch (3/12–4/12) | Medium Pitch (5/12–8/12) | Steep Pitch (9/12–12/12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 16 ft | 12–14 ft | 9–10 ft |
| 30 | 11 ft | 8–9 ft | 6–7 ft |
| 50 | 6.5 ft | 5–5.5 ft | 3.5–4 ft |
| 70+ | 4–5 ft | 3–4 ft | 2.5–3 ft |
These values are general guidelines. Roof design, drift areas, and environmental conditions may require closer spacing.
How to Determine Your Layout
- Find your ground snow load (psf) from local building data
- Determine your roof pitch
- Use the chart above to identify row spacing
- Install guards 12 inches apart within each row
- Add additional rows based on roof height
Why Proper Spacing Matters
- Prevents sudden snow slides
- Reduces stress on individual guards
- Improves long-term system performance
- Ensures balanced snow load distribution
Incorrect spacing can lead to system failure, even if high-quality guards are used.
Best Practices
- ✔ Install rows, not random placement
- ✔ Start near the eave above load-bearing wall
- ✔ Add rows for larger roofs
- ✔ Follow consistent spacing pattern
- ✘ Do NOT install only one row on steep roofs
- ✘ Do NOT guess spacing
Need Help?
Every roof is different. If you are unsure about spacing or layout, we recommend contacting our team for guidance.
Request Guidance