A snow load rating is the amount of weight that a metal building is designed to support. Snow is heavy when it piles up on a roof, so it’s important to have a building that is designed to withstand the amount of snow that is likely to fall in a given geographical area.  

This page will provide you with a better understanding of the importance of snow load rating when designing a metal building. To make sure everything with your new metal building project goes off without a hitch, it’s a great idea to work with a proven partner like American Steel Carports, Inc. Try out our Build & Price tool for yourself, or contact us for more information.   

What is a Snow Load Rating? 

A snow load rating is a rating that designates how much snow and ice a roof structure is designed to bear. If the load of snow and ice exceeds this rating, the roof will be at risk of failure. Snow load rating is measured in psf, which stands for pounds per square foot.  

How to Know What Snow Load Rating You Need? 

Local codes will typically have a snow load rating included in the rules that all buildings must meet or exceed. This rating is based on historical data in terms of the climate in the area and the possibility of extreme snow events. Of course, the ratings are designed with some safety margins built in, so buildings in the region can be expected to withstand even the worst storms.  

Why Is Snow Load Rating So Important for Metal Buildings? 

Snow load rating is important because you don’t want to risk the health of your building and the safety of the people in it when heavy snow falls. The structural integrity of the whole building is at risk if the roof isn’t designed to hold up to the kind of snow load that it will occasionally have to bear.  

It’s important to note that it’s not only catastrophic failure that is a concern when thinking about snow loads. Even if your roof doesn’t collapse, it can be damaged over time by having to hold up more snow than it was designed to manage.  

What Facts Should You Think About with Snow Load? 

Don’t take any chances when it comes to snow load ratings. You don’t want to build a structure that is right on the edge of being strong enough, and just hope that a big storm never actually comes through. Be realistic about the chances of a heavy snow and ice storm, and build your roof to withstand even the high end of what is possible in your region.  

You’ll also want to think about how long you’d like to be able to use this building. Assuming you want to get a long, useful life out of the structure, it’s best to “overbuild” it slightly. Knowing the roof is more than capable of handling the worst of what Mother Nature has to offer, you’ll have peace of mind that this investment is going to pay off in the long run.  

What Other Factors Need to Be Considered? 

Snow load is important and should not be overlooked in the design and construction process, but you will also want to take wind into account. Wind lift can pull the roof right off a building when the conditions are just right, so if you live or work in a windy place, be sure that those calculations are considered, as well.  

Design a Custom Metal Building to Withstand Snow

If you live in a snowy area, snow load ratings can’t be ignored in the building process. To make this simple and to make sure you get a great metal building for a fair price, turn to American Steel Carports, Inc. today. We have served countless previous customers on these kinds of projects, and we’d love for you to be next. Contact us right away to get started! 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions  

If I live in a mild climate, do I need to worry about snow load rating? 

As long as there is any chance that snow will fall in your area, you need to consider the snow rating. Even in a place where snow isn’t particularly common, just one heavy snowstorm could be enough to cave in your roof and destroy your building if it wasn’t designed properly from the start.  

What can happen if a building is under-designed for snow? 

There are many risks to the health of your building and the safety of people inside the building if it is under-designed for snow. Specifically, the roof can deform under the snow load, and it’s possible that the entire structure will collapse. This is a dangerous and expensive mistake to make, so don’t cut any corners when planning the project.  

Can I upgrade the snow load rating of my building later? 

It’s possible to upgrade the ability of your roof to withstand a snow load, but it’s an expensive project that can be complicated to implement correctly. By working with a trusted partner like American Steel Carports, Inc. from the start of the project, you can make sure your building is ready to go from day one and no retrofits will be needed later on.