Snow Guards are required to reduce the potential for snow and ice damage to gutters, foundation plantings, parked vehicles, adjacent roofs and equipment, and injury to pedestrians.

Snow Guard placement will vary from region to region and will be influenced by roof pitch, as well as the length of runs and seam spacing. Recommendations can be found in Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association Architectural Sheet Metal Manual and other industry standards. Best practice with any installation is to develop a layout aimed at retaining the snow in place rather than trying to stop it at the eaves after it has begun to slide. This principal is twice as important where adhesive mounted devices are to be relied upon.