It is a frequent winter discovery: a premium, modern synthetic roof is installed, only for the owner to realize that the polymer surface is far more "slippery" than expected. Because many refined synthetic shingles—such as F-Wave REVIA®, EcoStar, or Brava—are engineered with low-friction surfaces, they can cause sudden, unexpected snow slides.

The PD30R provides a high-strength retrofit solution designed to be added after the roof is complete, ensuring safety without compromising the roof's original design.

The PD30R Retrofit Advantage: Secure and Watertight

Unlike standard guards that are difficult to integrate into a finished roof, the PD30R is engineered specifically for the challenges of existing sleek synthetic profiles.

1. Engineered Custom Flashing

In retrofit applications, maintaining the roof's seal is the top priority. The PD30R features a custom flashing system designed to maximize watertight integrity:

• Fastener Protection: The custom flashing is designed to cover the mechanical fasteners, shielding them from the elements.

• Sealant Preservation: By protecting the sealant and attachment points, this system ensures the roof remains watertight through years of freeze-thaw cycles.

• Long-Term Integrity: This engineered approach allows contractors to add snow retention to a finished roof with total confidence in the moisture barrier.

2. Precision Fit for 6” Exposures

Many refined synthetic shingles utilize a 6” exposure. The PD30R features a shorter strap length that is precision-cut to fit perfectly within these narrow courses. This allows for a clean installation that avoids the nailing patterns of the shingle courses above.

Solving the Post-Installation "Avalanche"

When a project's initial design overlooks snow retention, the PD30R allows for targeted safety upgrades in high-risk areas.

• Targeted Safety: Install the PD30R snow guard layout to protect entryways, garage doors, and sensitive landscaping.

• High-Friction Stabilization: Synthetic shingles are inherently low-friction; adding PD30R guards provides the essential "cleats" needed to stabilize the snowpack and encourage a gradual melt.

• Seamless Aesthetics: Because these guards are added to a visible finished roof, the PD30R can be color-matched to the existing shingle manufacturer’s palette, ensuring the retrofit hardware blends into the roof's aesthetic.

Proven Performance in the Lab

At the Alpine SnowGuards research facility in Vermont, we have extensively tested how retrofit applications handle real-world loads on synthetic materials. Our data confirms that the PD30R offers the shear strength required to hold heavy snow blankets, provided the manufacturer’s layout is followed.

By utilizing a retrofit plan from our Snow Guard Calculator, you can eliminate the "freight train" sound of sliding snow and protect your property for the long term.

Add Protection to Your Sleek Roof Today

Don’t let a slippery roof compromise your property's safety. Solve the avalanche problem with the industry's premier retrofit snow guard for sleek synthetic shingles.

• Get a Free Retrofit Layout Quote: See the exact pattern needed for your existing roof pitch.

• Request a PD30R Sample: Test the custom flashing fit on your specific shingle profile.