Design Strategies For Snow-Resistant Metal Buildings

Do you live in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, or somewhere similar with heavy snow and tough winter conditions? Having a building that’s durable, adaptable, and affordable becomes crucial. After all, who likes those frequent and expensive maintenance? Most people choose a metal building due to its superior strength and longevity.

But what makes a steel building snow resistant? First, you need to understand that there are 4 types of snow, i.e., dry, wet, ice layer, and snow drift. These have different types of structural loads on the metal building, such as dry snow generally exerts 5 to 10 lbs/ft3, while wet snow exerts 15 to 20 lbs/ft3. So, if you have 1 foot of wet snow, the load is roughly 15 to 20 psf.

With the right roof design, pitch, and gauge selection, you can easily manage snow and ice. Not only that, you can add accessories in your 2-car garage or other building to avoid ice avalanches and clogged gutters. But how to calculate snow load for a metal structure? A simple formula is –

Snow Load PSF=Snow Depth feet × Snow Density (lbs per cubic foot)

But the exact snow load depends on factors like roof geometry, exposure, and thermal/ insulation. From maintenance tips for snowy regions to reasons for choosing a reputable company, check them out and more in the infographic below. Planning a metal carport, garage, or shed? Bookmark this for quick access to all the info in one spot.

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