Industry perspectives on snow retention: Patrick Morey of Ace Roofing

By Dani Sheehan.

Straight from the experts, learn the importance of snow retention in roofing and how to educate your customers.

Snow retention is a critical aspect of roofing in areas with heavy snowfall, helping to prevent dangerous snow slides and costly damage. TRA Snow & Sun reached out to their trusted partners for their best practices, common challenges and industry misconceptions.

In this Q&A, Patrick Morey, supply chain manager at Ace Roofing, shares his approach to designing and implementing snow retention solutions, the factors that influence system selection and the importance of educating customers on this often-overlooked roofing component.

Q: How do you approach snow retention when designing or installing a roof?

A: We always give the homeowner or representative options for snow retention and educate them on the potential risks of not having it. We take the time to explain specific products to address their specific needs.  

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face when implementing snow retention solutions?

A: Original building design is one of the biggest challenges. Truss spacing, for example, can be difficult to verify, and protecting the homeowner while still trying to keep the roof aesthetically pleasing can be a balancing act. Another challenge is when snow retention gets left out of the original plans, because we know we often end up coming back later to retrofit a solution after the homeowner experiences an issue.   

Q: Have you noticed any misconceptions with your customers about the importance of snow retention?

A: Definitely. Some customers don’t think they need it – until they do. In many cases, after that first big snowstorm, the importance of snow retention becomes crystal clear.

Q: What factors do you consider when choosing a system for a project?

A: We always look at a combination of engineering, price and design.

Q: How do you make sure a snow retention system is compatible with the roofing material and design?

A: We rely on our relationships with manufacturers to ensure the system is properly engineered for the specific roof type.  

Q: What are some best practices to maximize the performance and longevity of a roofing system?

A: The most important thing is using the right products for the specific roofing system and making sure they’re installed correctly. Even the best materials won’t perform well if they aren’t applied properly. Regular maintenance also helps extend the life of the system.

Q: Can you share a specific project where snow retention played a critical role? What was the problem and solution?

A: I have personally observed a large ice dam slide off a cedar shake roof and actually crush a large SUV to the point that the roof was level with the steering wheel.  

Q: How do you educate customers on the importance of proper snow retention?

A: We use the digital book we received from TRA Snow & Sun as a resource, walking customers through the reasoning behind snow retention and showing real-world examples of what can happen without it.

Q: What advice would you give to contractors who are new to working with snow retention?

A: Always present snow retention as an option, even if the customer hasn’t asked about it. It’s better to provide the knowledge and let them make an informed decision rather than risk someone getting hurt or property being damaged because they didn’t realize the risks.