Why Snow Retention?

When snow accumulations begin to melt, the result can be catastrophic as the blanket of snow avalanches off the roof dumping tons of snow onto anything in its path. It can damage landscape, gutters, adjacent roofs, vehicles, and cause injury or death to passers-by. SnoRail™ and SnoFence™ retention systems dramatically reduce these risks associated with rooftop avalanches, maintaining the clean lines of the roof and lasting as long as the roof itself! SnoRail™ and SnoFence™ can be designed and engineered on a site-specific basis.

Why SnoRail / SnoFence?

Architects and roof designers agree: The clean lines, cylindrical shapes and high-tech look of our SnoRail and SnoFence systems present an attractive solution to snow retention problems! They function without cluttering the lines of the roof. With up to six times the strength of adhesively-mounted devices, and without the high labor costs and inconsistencies of soldered snow guards, S-5!® offers the perfect, long term, dependable solution for traditional standing seam and sheet copper roofing. The SnoRail and SnoFence systems are mechanically attached with patented S-5-ASF and S-5-BSF brass or aluminum clamps utilizing our patented round-point setscrews — designed not to “pin” or “fix” the roof panels to the building, leaving thermal movement unrestricted. The clamps are precision-machined from aircraft quality materials not cast or plastic. All related hardware is non-ferrous, compatible stainless steel or brass for lasting performance.

One SnoRod™ is inserted through the S-5-ASF or S-5-BSF clamps, positioning it just above the panel seams. The resulting assembly is called SnoRail.

With an assembled SnoRail System, simply thread one SnoPost™ into the S-5-ASF or S-5-BSF clamp, and then add a second SnoRod 2” above the first. The resulting double rod assembly is called a SnoFence.

The SnoRail and SnoFence Systems are available with the S-5-BSF brass clamp for use on copper batten or copper standing seam metal roofs, and with the S-5-ASF aluminum clamp for other standing seam roofing materials.  The SnoRod and SnoPost are available in brass and stainless.

The extraordinary strength of the SnoRail and SnoFence Snow Retention Systems is in the S-5!® clamps. The S-5-ASF and S-5-BSF clamps mechanically attach to the panel seam by inserting and tightening our patented round-point setscrews to the specified tension. These screws will slightly dimple the seam material, but not puncture it. Our patented clamps offer durability unequaled by chemical bonds and adhesives that degrade with time and exposure.