When you install a snow management system, you aren’t just buying hardware—you’re buying peace of mind. At Alpine SnowGuards, we ensure that peace of mind through continuous, real-world performance testing at our specialized research facility in Morrisville, Vermont.

Located in a high-snow-load zone (80 psf), our facility serves as a living laboratory where we prove that our engineering holds up when the weight of winter sets in.

How We Test: A Data-Driven Approach

Our facility isn't just a roof; it's a sophisticated data-collection hub. To provide the most accurate recommendations in the industry, we monitor every event using:

• 14 High-Definition Cameras: Capturing 24/7 time-lapse footage to observe snow "creep," "slumping," and retention.
  
  
• On-Site Weather Station: Tracking real-time temperature fluctuations, wind speeds, and precipitation levels to understand "freeze-thaw" cycles.
  
  
• Multi-Pitch & Multi-Material Roofs: We test on pitches ranging from 3:12 to 12:12 across various materials, including metal, membrane, slate, and solar panels.

3 Strategic Goals of Our Research

1. Validating Product Engineering

Every new design, from the Fusion-Guard to our solar-specific solutions, undergoes seasons of observation. We look for structural integrity, finish durability, snow guard mechanical performance and layout design performance.

2. Refining the Our Products and Layouts

Data from our testing facility is fed directly back to our product development team. By observing how snow drifts and accumulates on different pitches, we can more accurately predict what layouts will perform best in various conditions.

3. Mastering Roof Microclimates

Roofs are not uniform; they are subject to "microclimates" caused by varying sun exposure, insulation gaps, and complex roof geometries. Our research focuses on how these temperature fluctuations lead to the "Freeze-Thaw" cycle. By studying where snow turns to ice, we developed the HeatDefender line—a thermal solution that works in tandem with our snow guards to prevent ice dams and gutter sagging. We test these integrated systems to ensure that while our guards hold the snow, our heating solutions safely manage the meltwater.

What Our Research Means for You

By choosing a system backed by a dedicated research facility, you benefit from:

• Proven Reliability: Systems that have been tested against Vermont’s harshest winters.

• Material Compatibility: Confidence that the guards you choose are engineered specifically for your roof type—whether it’s synthetic slate, standing seam metal, or TPO membrane.

• Safety Compliance: Knowledge that your layout is based on actual physics and documented performance, not guesswork.

Put Our Research to Work for Your Project

Whether you are an architect, contractor, or homeowner, you can rely on the data generated at the Alpine Research Facility to protect your investment.

• Use the Snow Guard Calculator: Get an immediate, site-specific layout and pricing based on your roof’s pitch, rafter length, and local snow load.
  
• Request a Free Layout: Our team will utilize decades of engineering data to create a tailored solution for your project.