Shawn Wittenberg knows roofs ... and he knows a great deal about DaVinci Roofscapes. Having installed 40 DaVinci composite roofs over his career, he's the expert you want to connect with if you need insights on polymer roofing. So, we're bringing his expertise right to you!

Q: Your company, Duration Construction, generally installs roofs within a 50 mile radius of St. Louis. What type of roofing projects does your team do?

A: We install a variety of specialty roofs in residential and commercial markets. And, we're expanding to Kansas City, Omaha and Illinois.

Q: When did you start installing DaVinci roofs?
A: I began installing DaVinci lightweight roofing systems in 2004. I recently drove by the first DaVinci roof that I installed more than 10 years ago and it still looks great!

Q: What do people seem to appreciate most about simulated shake roofing and slate roof alternatives from DaVinci?

A: People love how well the DaVinci product replicates the look of real slate and cedar shake roofing. They also appreciate the ability to get the look they want with the wide range of available colors. Other key factors that help sell this product are its durability and virtually maintenance-free aspects.

Q: What about homeowner insurance discounts?

A: Absolutely. I've found that most insurance companies give discounts when there's a composite slate roof or synthetic shake roofing overhead. Sometimes the discount can reach upwards of 22 percent off annual premiums.  That's really significant for a homeowner and something that should be considered when investing in a DaVinci designer roof.

Q: What would you tell your friends and family if they asked you about DaVinci roofs?

A: I tell anyone (and everyone!) that DaVinci is one of the most durable and best-looking manufactured roofing products on the market.  It's my top choice next to real slate.

This is it. The year you and your family invest in a new designer roof. A composite roof that will stand up to severe weather, resist fire spread and need minimal maintenance for decades to come. This is your year to purchase a DaVinci Roofscapes roof.

You've seen our beautiful synthetic shake or composite slate roof on a friend's home. Or, you've been visiting our blog site for awhile and have seen the success stories from dozens of people who are ecstatic about their simulated shake roofing or fake slate roof.

You're almost there ... but you have a few questions. Don't worry, we're here to help.

Our DaVinci project specialists Katie Thoele and Chris Brady can answer your questions, provide insights and point you in the right direction. These knowledgeable professionals are available to talk you through a project, explain differences between our products and connect you with our color expert, Kate Smith, for color assistance. (See also Ask Your Color Questions Here)

Katie and Chris have the answers to your questions. Whether you need a sample of a product to hold up to your home to check the color or you need an estimate on how much product will be needed for your roof, they can help. Just call them at 800-328-4624 for one-on-one support to help make all your roofing dreams come true.

This year I'm talking about a color that doesn't often come up in a conversation about color trends -- White!

Yes, white. This non-color is getting attention this year because it just feels right to many people for many reasons. White is clean and uncluttered. It is a color we associate with a fresh start or new beginnings. It the proverbial blank canvas. White gives us a place to rest our eyes and space to clear our minds. Who doesn't find those qualities attractive after another way-too-busy day?

When it comes to home design white and off-white are timeless. They are traditional, modern and every style in between because there are myriad ways to use white especially on a home exterior.

White makes the most of interesting architectural details, it helps the details stand apart from the main color. Even with a white-on-white scheme the shadows created when light hits white define trim, dental molding, window frames, cornices and other architectural elements.

Black and white is a classic look that is the ultimate in contrast. A white exterior with black slate roof tiles and black shutters is a look that is hard to beat. White trim against any dark main color is dramatic or dark accents against a primarily white home play up the high contrast in another way.

This year's white with its slightly warm undertones works well with muted medium shades and the diverse mix of materials so popular on a home exterior today. I especially like this warm white with DaVinci Slate Gray (shown above), or Smokey Gray roofing shingles.

My prediction of white as an important color in 2016 was proven correct when both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams selected white as their 2016 Color of the Year. First Benjamin Moore announced Simply White soon followed by the release of Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. Suddenly everyone was talking about white. 

Even though white doesn't often find its way onto the roof of American homes it does show up on nearly every other element of a home exterior. So I wanted to give white its due. Go ahead and stand out more proudly than ever white. This is your year!

You might also enjoy my previous post on 2016 Color Trends: Wondering What Color Trends You'll Be Seeing in 2016? Here's A Sneak Peek!

When checking into a hospital room, some patients might "check out" the bed controls or TV remote. These days, patients at Mount Carmel New Albany in Ohio are more likely to check out the imitation slate roof above the two-story facility.

In May of 2015 the hospital had a new Bellaforté Slate roof in Smokey Gray installed. Housing 60 patient rooms and eight operating rooms, Mount Carmel New Albany specializes in outpatient and inpatient orthopedic, neurologic and musculoskeletal care. The 117,668 square feet of the hospital are now topped by DaVinci Roofscapes roofing tiles that add both an element of aesthetic appeal and safety to the structure.

 

Bellaforté Slate and synthetic shake roofing tiles are ideal for commercial structures like hotels, restaurants and hospitals. The composite roofing has achieved a Class A Rating for fire retardance in the ASTME E 108 fire test and withstands straight line winds up to 110 mph in the ASTM D 3161 test. The polymer roof tiles also resist impact, severe weather conditions and wind-driven rain. (SeeTests Done on Bellaforté Slate)

Next time you're "checking in" to a hospital, look up ... and first check out the roof! 

Are your bags packed and ready to head to Las Vegas?  We're looking forward to sharing our products with everyone at the 2016 International Builders' Show that starts in just a few days in Las Vegas! If you're heading to the show, be our guest with a complimentary 3 day pass to the show! Click here to register (pass is for exhibits only) and make sure that visiting us in C2136 is tops on your list. 

From January 19-21 we'll showcase our popular Single-Width Slate 12-inch tile, Multi-Width Slate and Bellaforté Slate polymer roofing tiles in our expansive booth. 

"All three of our durable slate composite roofing profiles now boast a truly authentic quarried look," says Ray Rosewall, CEO and president of DaVinci Roofscapes. "The enhancement to the Single-Width profile was so positively received (see DaVinci Roofscapes to Launch New Profile at 2015 International Builders' Show) that we've taken the steps to offer all of our slate tiles with thicker, more realistic profiles that accurately replicate real slate.

"These new profiles offer exceptional curb appeal value to a home. When looking up at a roof with these tiles it's difficult for someone to differentiate between these synthetic slate profiles and real slate."

Details on the edges of the DaVinci slate tiles now have a more accurate quarried look that replicates natural slate. Deeper impressions in the tiles make them appear thicker, even though they're the same weight as the previous tiles.

"This is just one example of how we're continually refining our products and making improvements that enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of DaVinci polymer roofing products," says Rosewall. "As with all our polymer roofing materials, these three slate profiles resist impact, fire and severe weather conditions.

Whether for their homes or for other buildings on their property, these homeowners saw the value in using a synthetic roofing material on their project. Keep reading to learn about our latest crop of projects submitted by our loyal contractors. 

Featured Project - Wichita, Kansas

Click here to read how the intruction of Bellaforté roof tiles changed the landscape of the polymer roof market in Wichita. 

Featured Project - Ponoka, Alberta

I can't get enough of this barn with the gambrel style roof and the flared rake. Click here to read more. 

Featured Project - Okotoks, Alberta

Looking at Multi-Width Shake for a rustic style house? Click here to read more! 

Featured Project - Centennial, Colorado

Click here to read more about a project located in an area impacted by a storm. 

Happy Friday, Architects! 

Polymer slate roofing materials by DaVinci Roofscapes have been used on many high end multi-family homes. One thing the HOA usually can agree on is that both our slate and shake products have an exceptionally realistic appearance, and with our proven track record, are durable and long lasting.

This new construction multi-family project was installed by On Top Roofing out of Park City, UT and is located in beautiful Heber City, Utah. The product used was Multi-Width Slate in the Slate Gray color blend. Multi-Width Slate comes with 12", 10", 9", 7" and 6" tiles and in 12 standard color blends. Each bundle is blended at the factory for size and for color so the installer doesn't have to do as much hand sorting at the job site. 

On Top Roofing
435-615-8669
http://www.ontoproofing.net

Congratulations ... you're ready to start 2016 by investing in a new designer roof from DaVinci Roofscapes. You've made all the arrangements except one ... the snow guards.

"If you live in an area prone to snowfall or ice buildups, snow guards are essential for your polymer roof," says Tim Gentry with DaVinci Roofscapes. "Snow guards help prevent melting snow and ice from 'avalanching' down in one sheet, which can harm landscaping or people underneath."

There are many different types of snow guards. When selecting snow guards for use on DaVinci roofs, remember that they must have an attachment strap and be manufactured of long lasting- non-corrosive metals. The best types to use with DaVinci composite roofing are manufactured of copper, stainless steel or coated aluminum. Plastic snow guards that are attached with adhesive, typically used on metal roofs, are not recommended for DaVinci roofs.

If you'd like to add some added style to your roof, snow guards can be ordered in the shape of everything from eagles to flowers (see Stylish Snow Guards). To gain more details about the importance of snow guards, seeQ & A Guide to Snow Guards and To Guard ... or Not to Guard.

Roof envy.  That's what neighbors have for a stunning DaVinci Multi-Width Slate roof on the estate of a St. Louis homeowner.

Installed by Duration Construction, the custom blend of simulated slate roofing includes 25% Slate Gray, 20% Light Gray, 20% Dark Stone, 20% Green Stone and 15% Dark Purple. The distinctive custom blend was requested by the homeowners to get the exact look they desired.

"One of the unique aspects of working with DaVinci Roofscapes is that people are not locked in to any dictated color choices," says Shawn Wittenberg, president of Duration Construction. "There are 50 colors to choose from and DaVinci can easily create a custom blend like they did for this project. That means our customers are always happy with their roofing choices." (See 3 Reasons A Custom Color Could Be The Best Choice For Your Project)

For this estate, Wittenberg and his team installed DaVinci slate alternative roofing materials on three structures on the property: the main house including two wings, the pool house and a barn. They replaced a different roof system that was cracking, breaking and had severe color fade issues.

"I've installed more than 40 DaVinci roofs over the years and I'm certain these homeowners will be happy with these synthetic slate shingles," says Wittenberg. "I've found that DaVinci products hold up extremely well compared to all the other brands I've used in the past. Most importantly, I've never had a single call back with any problems with a DaVinci roof.  That speaks volumes for the quality and durability of the product.

"I stick with DaVinci composite roofing products for many reasons. Tops on my list is that it looks amazing, it's easy to install and homeowners have a lifetime warranty on the materials!"

Imagine a crackling fire. Dry wood burning that shoots off sparks and a warm glow. Seems nice, right? And it is ... if it's in a fireplace. However, the image changes entirely if you're looking at cedar shake roofing catching fire atop a home.

In drought areas on the West Coast, homeowners with old cedar roofing live with the constant fear that wildfires may send embers onto their natural cedar shake roofs. Even sparks flying in the air from a wildfire a half mile away can have disastrous results for people with shake shingles.

The concern for flame spread on shake roofing materials is so strong that many communities and towns have passed legislation banning the use of real cedar shake roofing for new construction and replacement projects. So, what's a homeowner to do who loves the look of a wood shake roof?DaVinci Roofscapes to the rescue.

Synthetic shake roofing materials from DaVinci have a Class A Fire Rating. Even when a torch is held to them, they simply won't allow a flame to ignite or spread. (See Class A Synthetic Roofs Resist California Wildfires)

Allan Lyle with Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford recently put the product to the test. Watch this VIDEO and you'll quickly discover that the safest way to get the look of cedar on your home is to rely on simulated shake roofing from DaVinci.

In a unique program coordinated by the state of Utah, ten inmates and their supervisors recently installed a new Bellaforté Shake roof on the Heber Valley Visitor Center. The minimum security inmates from the Lone Peak facility at the Utah State prison completed the polymer roof installation in 10 days with outstanding results.

Constructed in 1992, the alpine-style visitor's center was in dire need of a new roof. "When the team started pressure washing our wood shake roof this past autumn, water began leaking into the building," says Rachel Kahler, marketing and events manager for the Heber Valley Visitors Center. "The original wood shake roof had deteriorated badly over time and had finally given out.

"After reviewing our options and budget, we decided the best solution was new composite roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes in a Tahoe-VariBlend. These simulated shake tiles beautifully accent our peg-and-groove building. The tiles look extremely authentic. People now stop in our visitors center and ask us about the roof on the building!"

Wasatch County officials relate that Utah Correctional Industries (UCI) program inmates have installed two other roofs on county buildings in the past --- on the courts/jail building in 2014 and on the county administrative building in 2012.  "UCI does very good work," says Mike Davis, Wasatch County manager. "They're responsive and the quality of work is excellent.

"This was the first time our county used DaVinci products and we're exceptionally pleased with their look and durability. The next time we have a county roofing project we'll definitely consider another DaVinci roof."

Stay tuned tomorrow to find out more about the inmate installation program in Utah.

I work with architects every day, offering all the support I can over the phone or via email, all from my office inside the DaVinci Roofscapes manufacturing headquarters. In most markets in the US and Canada I work in tandem with a local DaVinci Sales Representative as well. His or her job also includes working with the design professional on the specifications for your projects, assisting with sales presentations to your clients or design review boards, and providing product education. Aside from that, knowing your local luxury roof expert will ensure you have accurate pricing information, referrals to local contractors, and up to date samples and materials for your library. Contact me today to set up an appointment with your local DaVinci representative.

With the start of a new year, now is a great time to bring in your local product expert for a refresher on what we offer.

Happy Friday, Architects! 

With the decision made to re-roof the Heber Valley Visitor Center with Bellaforté Shake roofing tiles, county leaders turned to Utah Correctional Industries (UCI) for installation assistance. Started in 1997 in conjunction with the Division of Facilities and Construction Management, the roofing program provides job training to low risk inmates who have been cleared and qualified for the work release program.

"The objective is to enable prisoners to make a contribution to society," says Jason Manwaring, correctional industries supervisor for UCI. "The program helps reduce prison idleness while increasing inmate job skills that can improve the prospects for a successful transition back into the community when they're released.

For the re-roofing of the Heber Valley Visitors Center with simulated shake tiles, UCI inmates, under the supervision of Manwaring and Adam Pierce, learned skills associated with the easy-installation of Bellaforté Shake roofing tiles. "The DaVinci team was very supportive of this project, making it go smoothly for everyone involved," says Manwaring. "This is a product that is very self-explanatory to install and the inmates were able to complete the entire roofing project in less than two weeks."

According to Rachel Kahler with the visitors center, the inmates did exemplary work.

"These individuals were respectful, kind and professional," says Kahler. "Because we're in a high-profile location, we get 25,000 people cars passing us daily on Main Street. Whenever visitors stopped in our center during the roofing process, the inmates ensured the area was clean and the building accessible --- all while working efficiently to have the roof installed in a timely manner."

How green are you? If you're like many environmentally-conscious homeowners, it's not enough to recycle your newspapers and compost old banana peels and coffee grinds. You may want to go "off the grid" by including solar panels in your roofing system.

Getting from the "idea" of having solar panels on your roof to actually incorporating them on your home is a big step. You'll probably wish to consult a licensed PV/solar installer with a General Contractors license. This person will need a licensed electrician on the team to wire the panels and get the panels inspected once installed.

The good news is that you can include solar panels on your DaVinci Roofscapes composite roofing!

According to Tyler Storfa, DaVinci's Western Technical Services Manager (seeOn the Road with DaVinci's Tyler Storfa) it's not any more difficult to include solar panels with polymer roofing than with most other roofing materials, and it's actually easier than including panels with more ridged roofing products like natural slate, clay and concrete tile.

Here are some insights from Tyler that can help get you started:

Tip #1 - When having a mounting system for solar panels installed, make sure anything that penetrates the tiles is flashed appropriately. Most systems need "L" type brackets to be lag bolded into rafters to hold a rail system that the solar panels are mounted on.  The "L" brackets have to be attached both under and through our simulated shake and imitation slate products. This is the area that needs to be properly flashed.

Tip #2 - Contractors can rest easier when walking on DaVinci's green roof systems. Our synthetic roofing material will not break when walked on, so it's actually a bit easier to make solar panel installations.

For more insights on solar panel installations on fake slate and cedar shake alternative roofs, see From the Architects Corner - Solar Panels.

They came from every state in the U.S. and from many countries. Last week more than 110,000 builders, general contractors, remodelers, designers and industry professionals gathered in Las Vegas for the 2016 International Builders' Show. (SeeDaVinci Roofscapes Synthetic Slate Tiles Predicted to be a Hit at 2016 IBS)

Front and center in the main hall attendees found the booth for DaVinci Roofscapes. From the minute the doors opened each day until closing time every night, our booth was jammed with people looking at our synthetic cedar shakes and imitation slate tiles. The new profiles on our polymer slate tiles were a huge hit ... as were the previews of new, upcoming EcoBlend tiles.

In addition to building industry professionals, many media members stopped by the booth, including Dean Johnson with Hometime, Danny Lipford with Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, James and Morris Carey with On the House with the Carey Brothers, and Gary Sullivan with At Home With Gary Sullivan. Some of our team members were on camera and on the radio with these industry experts, talking about the advances of polymer roofing in the industry.

Missed the show? Don't worry, we'll keep you updated right here on all the newest DaVinci products and information in the days ahead!

Qualified Remodeler magazine recently reported that re-roofing a home is the #1 project with payoff for homeowners.

Based on a survey of 4,000 consumers taken at the HouseLogic.com site about the last remodeling project they undertook, roofing had a "Joy Score" of 9.6 (on a scale of 1 to 10). The scoring shows how happy and satisfied people are with their project.

Something else the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report shows is that roofing has a 105% value recovery for a project. No wonder homeowners are happy!

This data was gleaned from information collected from sponsors of the study. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) supplied median remodel costs while the National Association of Realtors (NAR) supplied media resale value from home improvement projects. The bottom line: re-roofing projects win for homeowners.

To hear what happy homeowners have to say about remodeling with polymer roof tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes. Just visit these story sites:

         - Slate Roof Alternatives Applauded by Homeowners

- Checking in With DaVinci Roofscapes Homeowners

- Homeowners Talk About DaVinci Roofscapes

An appreciation of our natural environment along with being more conscious of the long term impact everyday actions will have in the future continue to influence trends. Some ways this is manifesting include homeowners:

• choosing quality over quantity and looking for products that are produced responsibly
• doing research to find the best long-term products for their home to reduce the need for replacement
• putting more thought into how their decisions impact the bigger picture in the future
• being drawn to nature-inspired colors
   

A color that has been trending for many years and continues in this year's palette is green. Unlike the greens of past years, which were more warm or leaned towards yellow-green, this year's color is a cooler grayed green with blue undertones.

This is a beautiful color that blends so well with that landscape that it was called "The Paint Color That Can Make Ugly Stuff "Disappear" by House Beautiful in an article about how in Disney World this color is "used on utility structures, back doors, and other less-magical sights that Disney doesn't want guests to notice.

When using a green like DaVinci Evergreen (shown above) or Weathered Green polymer roof tiles this color will anchor the home and give it a sense of place in the natural environment. 

I'm not the only one that is a big fan of this color for 2016. PPG PITTSBURGH PAINTS® brands named Paradise Found– a serious, aloe green – as its 2016 Color of the Year they said that, "The green is inspired by consumers’ search for security, protection, privacy and resilience in an uncertain world." As consumers look to embrace future-forward lifestyles and designs, color experts from PPG Industries, anticipate Paradise Found will play a prominent role in home decor trends and styles, giving homeowners a silent guard and a sturdy, reassuring color for those wary of growing threats to global, national and cyber security."

Paradise Found (PPG1135-5) is reminiscent natural environments and reflects our society’s increasing focus on the development of personal strength, safety and security.

They chose a familiar shade of green that feels solid and protective. “An edgy-yet-comforting green like Paradise Found hints at nature while still touching on neutrality,” said Dee Schlotter, senior color marketing manager, PPG Architectural Coatings, U.S. and Canada. “The 2016 Color of the Year provides the sense of strength, energy and comforting familiarity that consumers need to feel confident embracing newness and change.”

Green might not be your first thought when searching for a new color for your home exterior but it is worth considering a comforting, well-balanced green to give your home style and the sense of comfort and security.

You might also enjoy my previous post on 2016 Color Trends: Wondering What Color Trends You'll Be Seeing in 2016? Here's A Sneak Peek!

When the doors open at the Nursing Education Center at Thomas Edison State College in early 2016, students, faculty and area residents will be impressed with how well the new three-story structure fits into the overall campus design. Capping off the $26.2 million building sits a single-width slate polymer roof from DaVinci Roofscapes.

"We needed to reduce the weight and costs of the roof installation on the new Nursing Education Center, so we specified a polymer slate product," says Stephen Doyle, AIA, LEED AP with Clarke Caton Hintz in Trenton, N.J. "We were looking for a material with good roof reflectance values since the project is seeking LEED certification. And, we were looking for a product with exceptional warranties. DaVinci Roofscapes delivered all of these features and benefits.

"The DaVinci slate shingles have helped add a sense of timelessness to the project and fit well within the historic context of this site. We found they have the thickest profile simulating traditional slate roofing --- better than other polymer slate products we've seen. The color options also allowed us to identify the Castle Gray-VariBlend of two shades of gray. This coordinates very well for this project and location."

For installation of the designer roof, the team turned to Advanced Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, professionals at commercial roofing projects in the north and central New Jersey areas.

"Our crew of six completed the polymer slate roofing installation in October," says Jake Arnold, project manager with Advanced Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. out of Bellville, N.J. "We've installed several other DaVinci roofs in the past, so we knew the quality of the product we were working with on this structure.

"We take our time to get it right on every roofing project.  This one was no exception. The reward is at the end. We look up at this beautiful roof now and know that it will proudly reflect our workmanship, the quality of the roofing product and the overall design of the Nursing Education Center."

Sustainable roofing by DaVinci can be found on other campuses across the country. See "Fighting Irish" Fan of DaVinci Polymer Slate Roofand DaVinci Slate Roofs Specified on Washburn University Buildings.

Throughout the year, as contractors register their jobs, we are presented with so many good projects that we're excited to feature on our blog. What makes a project blog-worthy? Well, not only does it look amazing, but it comes from loyal contractors who are eager to provide DaVinci Roofscapes with feedback, awesome photography, and stories about how working with our polymer roof tiles impacts their business. 

For the second year running we have asked our loyal contractors to submit projects they believe should be chosen as a Featured Project of the Year. Among other prizes at stake, the big opportunity is to have a banner featuring the contractor and the project displayed in our booth at the 2016 International Roofing Expo which will be held in Orlando next month. So, without further adieu, is the first of four winners chosen as part of the 2015 Featured Project of the Year. 

This project was installed in Fort Worth, Texas by Showtime Exteriors out of Mansfield, Texas. This steep sloped home features Bellaforté Slate in the Slate Gray color blend. What makes this product perfect for Showtime to offer their customers is its resilience to the weather events common in the area, which sometimes includes high winds and hail. The roof tiles we make come with a Class 4 Impact Rating, 110 mph Wind Rating, are Class A Fire Rated, and come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty. In Texas, that could possibly earn you a discount on your homeowners insurance premiums, which is something natural slate or cedar shake can't offer you. 

Come by booth #1275 in Orlando February 17-19th to see this project, along with the three others (features coming soon!), chosen as a Featured Project of the Year. Congratulations Showtime Exteriors!

Showtime Exteriors
817-400-7663
www.showtimeexteriors.com

Are you in between major snow storms and regretting your decision not to have snow guards installed? Not to worry ... your roofer can retrofit snow guards to your DaVinci Roofscapes roof!

While the ideal situation is to install snow guards (which help break up melting snow so it doesn't avalanche down all at one time) when your polymer roofing is put in, retrofitting is definitely possible.

According to Lars Walberg, President of Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, here's what roofers need to know about retrofit applications, "You need to apply sealant to the top of the DaVinci shingle where the snow guard will be placed. The snow guard is placed in the recommended pattern such that 2" of strap is showing between the face of the snow guard and the butt end of the shingle above. Then (2) 2.5" self tapping fasteners with gaskets are driven through the snow guard strap approximately 1/2" below the butt end of the shingle above, through the shingle and substrate until tight."

Walberg recommends the ST11 Snow Guard by SnowTrapper for this retrofit application. It comes in attractive copper or dark bronze coated aluminum at the Rocky Mountain Snow Guard website.

So, if you've got one eye on the weather report and another on your roof this month, stop worrying. Call your roofer and ask him to come back to your house to install snow guards. You'll sleep better at night with this worry eliminated, and your roof will thank you too!

PS - Need more information? Then see Q & A Guide to Snow Guards