Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Cost of a snow guard for a roof
Snow guards help ice and snow completely melt and drift off your roof in small amounts rather than at the same time. If you don’t have one, then your roof may be prone to the sudden release of ice or snow all at once (a roof avalanche), which can cause damage to your skylights, lower roof area, guttering and potentially people below your roof.
Whether you love or loathe the snow, it’s a pretty inevitable part of winter. While we don’t get much of it in the UK, when it does strike, the snow can cause chaos. And we’re not just talking about travel delays. We’re talking about roof avalanches.
Adding a snow guard to your roof is really important to prevent snow and hail from wreaking havoc on the upper structure of your property, loft, and brickwork, and is just as vital as getting your chimney capped.
Snow guards help ice and snow completely melt and drift off your roof in small amounts rather than at the same time. If you don’t have one, then your roof may be prone to the sudden release of ice or snow all at once (a roof avalanche), which causes damage to your skylights, lower roof area, guttering, and people who may be below your roof.
| Cost provided item | Unit | Range - Low | Range - High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of snow guard for roof | Per guard | £50 | £70 |
| Cost of guard for roof | Clip under the slates | £10 | £15 |
| Installing a snow guard | 2 tradespeople for half a day | £200 | £500 |
| Roofer | Per hour | £18 | £25 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
What’s the cost of a snow guard for a roof?
The cost of a snow guard is about £50 – £70 per guard. You can purchase lower-priced guards that clip under your roof slates for between £10 – £15.
For professional installation, it’s best to contact your local roofer, as fitting snow guards can be a dangerous job.
It normally takes two tradespeople half a day to fit a snow guard and this will include the price of the guards. The average cost of installing snow guards can range from £200 – £500 and may involve scaffolding and bridging.
However, we advise speaking to your local roofer, as they’ll have expert knowledge on how to perform the task correctly.
A roofer’s hourly rate is usually between £18 – £25.
Fitting snow guards
Your local roofer will fit the snow guard onto the roof’s surface using a generous layer of silicone adhesive. This means that the guard is completely waterproof and weatherproof. Next, they’ll fit the snow guard to your roof by attaching screws to the roof joists.
For the snow guard to be as robust and durable as possible and for the adhesive to harden completely, it’ll need to be left alone for roughly 24 hours.
FAQs
What is a roof snow guard?
A roof snow guard helps control ice and snow so they slide off your property’s roof gradually. It also allows the snow and ice to melt entirely before dropping to the ground, preventing a roof avalanche (when snow and ice suddenly release from your roof).
The beauty of a snow guard is that it’ll catch the snow so it stays securely in one place until it’s melted and no longer a hazard.
Do roof snow guards work?
Yes, they work really well. When they’re positioned on a slanted roof, they stop the snow and ice from falling to the ground. In other words, they keep the snow and ice contained on top of your roof to stop it from falling on anyone or damaging your home. What’s more, snow guards evenly disperse the weight of ice and snow to prevent any destruction.
To get the best out of your snow guard, we recommend speaking to your local roofer. They’ll install your snow guards so they’re fitted evenly over your roof to make sure the guard does its job properly.
Are snow guards really necessary?
Snow guards are necessary if you experience large quantities of snow and ice dropping from your roof. They will prevent you from potentially having to pay for damages caused by snow to your property and will also protect passers-by from falling snow.
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