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Colorgard by S-5! is the only snow retention system good enough to be warranted for the life of the roof. Unlike other snow guards that yellow and fail over time, ColorGard’s unsurpassed holding strength controls snow migration with a perfect color-match that lasts the life of the roof.
ColorGard by S-5! —for a perfect color—match that lasts the life of the roof! None of our competitors dare to stand behind the performance of their own products this way.
The sudden and unexpected release of snow from the roof can be dramatic, posing a serious threat to property and passers-by. ColorGard dramatically reduces the risks associated with rooftop avalanches and maintains the clean colorful appearance of the roof with perfect color and finish matching, which lasts as long as the roof itself! ColorGard is the only snow retention system designed and engineered on a site-specific basis; guaranteed to perform, to not damage the roof or finish, and to exactly match the roof color—for the entire life of the roof.
Today’s premium PVDF paint systems used on metal panels are “coil-coated” and oven-cured. This is the only finish application method that can be warranted against color fade for 30 years or longer. Nothing can equal it! So, why settle for less in a snow retention system? While some dyes, powder-coats and air-dried color application methods may initially simulate a perfect match, the color soon begins to fade and becomes increasingly mismatched with a few years of age. By utilizing a strip of the actual roof material, ColorGard perfectly matches the roof—forever!
ColorGard is mechanically attached with S-5!® clamps. S-5! is the trusted name in metal rooftop attachment technology worldwide. S-5!’s, round-point setscrews grip the seam securely without penetration and without damage to the panel’s protective finishes. The clamps are precision-machined from aircraft quality, high tensile aluminum—not cast or plastic. All related hardware is non-ferrous stainless steel for lasting performance.
Still have questions? Check out our Snow Retention FAQs.
To help you and your distributor design a S-5! ColorGard system for your purposes, we invite you to try our Web-based calculator.
System Overview: ColorGard is manufactured from mill-finished, aircraft quality aluminum. It comes in 8-foot long sections, in punched or unpunched configurations. Splices are included with ColorGard for adjacent sections. For use with S-5!® heavy duty clamps, VersaBracket™ and CorruBracket™.
Punched Crossmember: Punched ColorGard is slotted every 4” (10.2 cm) on center for seams that are spaced accordingly, i.e. divisible by 4” (10.2cm). The slotted configuration works well with S-5! clamps.
Unpunched Crossmember: Unpunched ColorGard is the most versatile and easy to install, when used with the S-5!® VersaClip™. Unpunched does not need holes, as the VersaClip accommodates any seam spacing. The unpunched configuration works well with VersaBracket. Unpunched is the right choice when the roof is laid out with untrue seam width or when the seam width is not divisible by 4. If in doubt, use unpunched.
Splice: Included with crossmembers, use the splice to join two pieces of ColorGard together, ensuring continuous, unbroken protection. The dimple in the center is designed to provide a gap, allowing for expansion and contraction of the ColorGard sections.
VersaClip: Available for purchase separately, VersaClip makes installation easy, as it simply slides on the ColorGard crossmember. It can be used with all S-5! clamps (one per clamp), and is optional with CorruBracket. VersaClip is not needed with VersaBracket. VersaClip is also handy when installing ColorGard askew, such as is required in the valleys between intersecting rooflines.
SnoClip: SnoClip™ is added to retard the migration of snow and ice beneath the crossmembers. Click here for detailed information on the SnoClip.
SnapClip™: SnapClip is a retrofitted component added to retard the migration of snow and ice beneath the crossmembers. Click here for detailed information on the SnapClip.
Color Strip: Not included, the color strip should be requested in 2” wide strips from the manufacturer of the roofing material in order to ensure a perfect color match for the life of the system.
For use with most S-5! attachment products.
For detailed information and pricing on our full line-up of clamps.
To help you and your distributor design a ColorGard system for your purposes, check out our Web-based calculator.
Note: Do not use ColorGard with attachment spacing greater than 32” (81.3 cm). Custom ColorGard, Splice and SnoClips are available for seam spacing greater than 32” (81.3 cm). Please inquire through a distributor.
Contact your distributor for pricing and ordering. Broken box quantities may incur additional charges.
Punched ColorGard
Product packages in boxes of 12 and cases of 504.
1 splice per part included.
Unpunched ColorGard
Product packages in boxes of 12 and cases of 504.
1 splice per part included.
VersaClip
Product packages in boxes of 100 and cases of 500.
SnoClip II
Product packages in boxes of 55 and cases of 220.
SnoClip III
Product packages in boxes of 35 and cases of 140.
SnapClip II
Product packages in boxes of 55 and cases of 220.
SnapClip III
Product packages in boxes of 35 and cases of 140.
Setscrews, flanged bolts and a screwgun bit tip are included in each box.
See our full line-up of clamps for detailed information and pricing.
To help you and your distributor design a ColorGard® system for your purposes, check out our Web-based calculator.
Note: Do not use ColorGard® with attachment spacing greater than 32" (81.3 cm). Custom ColorGard®, Splice and SnoClips™ are available for seam spacing greater than 32" (81.3 cm). Please inquire through a distributor.
WHAT ABOUT COST?
Superior quality couldn’t possibly come at a lower price . . . could it?
ColorGard is beautiful, functional, durable, economical and easy to install.
S-5! ColorGard is the best buy on the market! Better holding strength, better color retention, user-friendly installation—this all equates to higher cost, right? Wrong.
Everyone wants better quality—as long as it also costs less. Well, with ColorGard you can have your cake and eat it, too! When compared with other fence-type systems on a cost-per-foot basis, ColorGard wins, hands down—even though it is several times stronger than most of those systems. When compared to individual cleat type units, pound-for-pound of holding strength, ColorGard costs much less—yes, even less than the plastic parts. It even costs less to install! Roofing contractors find the ColorGard system so easy to work with that they charge less to install it than they do for installing any other competitive product on the market today! (And to make things even easier for you and your distributor, we now offer an online ColorGard calculator to help you design your snow retention system.)
Placing Cost in Context
Snow accumulations on sloped metal roofs can pose a significant danger to property and life. These accumulations can succumb to gravity and avalanche in a catastrophic manner—harming landscape, gutters, adjacent roofs, vehicles, or even passersby. A properly designed, quality snow retention system can mitigate the danger and nuisance of sliding snow. However, it is important to realize that not all snow retention products are created equal. When selecting and specifying a product or system, it is critical to accurately compute the roof’s design service snow load, and to choose a system that will provide the protection needed to withstand that calculated load. The good news is that there are tools out there to perform the system design and make comparison shopping much easier—often with surprising results regarding cost!
Plastic snow guards are sometimes chosen because they are assumed to be the lowest cost solution. In reality, they are often the highest, actually costing several times more than a system that lasts longer, installs quicker, looks better, prevents damage to the roof and eliminates messy glue residues. Because today’s premium metal roof finishes are similar in chemical composition to “Teflon,” chemical bonds like tapes, glues and adhesives provide only temporary and unreliable solutions with a service life of just a few years. The low holding strength of the adhesive also diminishes over the short service life of the bond. In the best case the strength of a stick-on part is only equal to the peeling strength of the paint to which it is stuck.
String a line at clamp location.
To check the integrity of your design, or to assist you and your distributor in developing a design, try our ColorGard calculator.
ColorGard is easy to install. First, at the desired location, use a string line across the top of the panel seams-this will establish a true line for installation of the S-5!® clamps. Individually measuring each clamp location from the eave is not recommended.
When installing clamps on roof panels which utilize a two-piece panel attachment clip, the clamps may be installed at a clip location if desired. When the panel system utilizes a one-piece clip, installing at clip locations should be avoided.
VersaClip™ assembly with bolt hole on the upslope end of the clamp.
If the ColorGard assembly utilizes the VersaClip for attachment of the ColorGard crossmember, the bolt hole in the clamp should be at the upslope end of the clamp.
If the assembly does not use VersaClip, the hole should be at the downslope end of the clamp. Determine which side of the clamp to load the setscrews into, and assemble all setscrews to all clamps, being careful that the bolt hole will be in the correct (upslope or downslope) orientation, with the setscrews on the correct side of the seam.
S-5! clamp without the Versa Clip with the bolt hole shown on the downslope end of the clamp.
If the assembly does not use VersaClip, the hole should be at the downslope end of the clamp. Determine which side of the clamp to load the setscrews into, and assemble all setscrews to all clamps, being careful that the bolt hole will be in the correct (upslope or downslope) orientation, with the setscrews on the correct side of the seam.
S-5! clamps are available to fit almost any seam. Refer to the Clamps section of this website to view installation instructions.
Clamps are positioned along the string line.
Position the clamps appropriately on the panel seam, using the string line as a guide.
An Allen-wrench attachment tip is included in your purchase.
Using the Allen-wrench attachment tip for 1/4″ screwgun (included in the box), tighten and retighten setscrews as the seam material compresses. On low seam profiles, clamp spacing should never exceed 32″.
Angle drivers are available through your S-5™ distributor.
We recommend using the angle driver (available at your S-5! distributor) to facilitate easy installation and avoid damage to the panel.
NOTE: Do not be concerned if after installation the clamp appears slightly “cocked” on the panel seam. It will straighten out when ColorGard is installed. The holding strength of S-5! clamps is highly dependent upon setscrew tension. Consult the S-5! Load Tables. For maximum holding strength, setscrews should be tensioned and re-tensioned as the seam material compresses. Clamp setscrew tension should be verified using a calibrated torque wrench between 160 and 180 inch-pounds when used on a 22-gauge steel, and between 130 and 150 inch-pounds for all other metals and thinner gauges of steel. Published data regarding holding strength is available.
CAUTION: Battery operated guns may not deliver consistent screw tension. Drywall guns may not deliver adequate tension.
Slide color strip into the ColorGard crossmember.
Color strips should be sheared from the same prefinished metal as the roof panels. Shear strips to exactly 2″ wide (8′ or 10′ long). Slide the color strip into the ColorGard crossmember as shown. If the strip length is 8 feet, it may be pre-assembled into the ColorGard crossmember. If the strip is 10 feet long it will be assembled into the ColorGard as installation progresses.
Anchor color strip to the ColorGard by pinching the retainer lip with pliers.
Joints in the ColorGard can be concealed, if desired by offsetting the joints of the color strip from the joints of the ColorGard. When this is done, the joints of the color strips should be overlapped about 1/2 inch.
Each color strip should be anchored to the ColorGard somewhere along its length. This is done by pinching the retainer lip of the ColorGard with an ordinary pair of pliers. It can be done at one end of the ColorGard section as shown, or anywhere along its length.
Attach ColorGard to clamps with stainless bolts and washers provided. Bolts can be tightened with a 9/16″ box-end wrench, or ratchet (left). On larger jobs a 1/2″ drive electric impact will expedite this work. Tension bolts to 20 foot-pounds (27 N.m.).
After attaching ColorGard to a clamp, tighten the clamp bolts with a 9/15″ box-end wrench or ratchet to 20 foot-pounds.
Attach ColorGard® to clamps with stainless bolts and washers provided. Bolts can be tightened with a 9/16″ box-end wrench, or ratchet (lower left). On larger jobs a 1/2″ drive electric impact will expedite this work. Tension bolts to 20 foot-pounds (27 N.m.).
Add splice pieces at each ColorGard joint as shown. The “dimple” in the splice piece will automatically provide a 1/8″ space between adjoining sections to allow for linear thermal expansion of the ColorGard.
The only snow retention system good enough to be warranted for the life of the roof. Virtually every snow retention company boasts about product superiority. It is increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from confusing sales hype and empty claims. But only ColorGard from S-5! offers a structural performance warranty for the life of the roof. That’s not an empty claim, puffy boast or wishy-washy sales rhetoric—it’s total, written assurance of system performance that no other manufacturer can match.
For over two decades, the ColorGard system has delivered proven performance in extensive independent laboratory testing and installations around the world. Using S-5! clamping technology and 100% non-corrosive metals (never plastic), ColorGard systems are custom engineered to meet the specific needs of each project.
Don’t let the rhetoric of competitors deceive you. At S-5! we put our money where our mouth is by introducing this industry first: We offer a lifetime warranty because we know that only the ColorGard system measures up to the task—not just for a few years, but for the life of the roof!
The S-5! clamps will not pull off the seam, break or otherwise cause the system to release
The ColorGard crossmember and its anchorage will not buckle, break or otherwise fail under load
The ColorGard System will not corrode or cause corrosion of the roof
The ColorGard Snow Retention System will not damage the roof
The ColorGard System will color-match the roof for the life of the roof
The ColorGard System will perform for the life of the roof! All warranted projects are subject to inspection and review by the manufacturer, and the warranty does not cover circumstances over which we have no control, such as deficiency of the building structure or components that have been abused.
To learn how to obtain your ColorGard System Limited Lifetime Warranty, and for complete Terms and Conditions of the program, see below.
Get the help you need to design your own ColorGard system by using our Web-based calculator.
Step 1: Calculate and print your system requirements using the S-5! ColorGard calculator. You are responsible for the accuracy of the input fields of the calculator.
Step 2: Fill the S-5!; ColorGard Warranty Online Application Form. The Application Form must be completed by the contractor that purchased and installed the ColorGard Snow Retention System.
Comply with all requirements and instructions on the Form and send it, along with all the related documents and the warranty application/inspection fee, to:
ColorGard Warranty
Metal Roof Innovations, Ltd.
8750 Walker Rd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Step 3: Download the Inspection Criteria Form. These tips will help ensure you pass the inspection.
Step 4: Once a satisfactory Field Inspection Report is provided by a designated representative of the manufacturer, you will receive your ColorGard Limited Lifetime Warranty by mail. Download a sample.
S-5!® has the best snow retention system attachment solutions in the industry for exposed fastener roofs. Our extensive line of versatile and affordable brackets fit every shape and size of virtually every exposed fastened and corrugated roof profile on the market. S-5! brackets have been extensively tested for load-to-failure results and water tightness, and come with an industry-leading 25-year manufacturer warranty.
Strong enough for heavy-duty applications, the CorruBracket™ is the perfect match for attaching S-5!’s ColorGard snow retention system to corrugated roofs, while the VersaBracket™ 47 or 67 is the choice for all trapezoid shape roofs.
ColorGard is the only snow retention system good enough to be warranted for the life of the roof. Unlike other snow guards that yellow and fail over time, ColorGard’s unsurpassed holding strength controls snow migration with a perfect color-match that lasts the life of the roof.
X-Gard 1.0 is our two-pipe system spanning up to 48″ seams. Like our one-pipe system, X-Gard has greater holding strength, better aesthetics, and longer service life than any other engineered pipe system on the market.
X-Gard 2.0 is our two-pipe system spanning up to 48″ seams. Like our one-pipe system, X-Gard has greater holding strength, better aesthetics, and longer service life than any other engineered pipe system on the market.
Our SnoRail utilizes one Sno-Rod™ positioned just above the panel seams for maximum strength and minimal clutter.
S-5!’s SnoFence uses a SnoPost™ to accommodate a second SnoRod™ two inches above the first. Both SnoRail and SnoFence systems are available in brass for use on copper batten or standing seam roofs and in aluminum for other standing seam roofing materials.
DualGard™ is the most versatile and reliable 1-inch, two-pipe snow retention system on the market for all standing seam roof applications. DualGard utilizes two patented S-5! mini clamps for extra strength versus other two-pipe systems. All DualGard components can be used with VersaGard™ and VersaGard™ V, offering a complete snow retention system for exposed fasten roofs.
VersaGard is compatible with almost any trapezoidal, exposed-fastened profile. No messy sealants to apply! No chance for leaks! VersaGard comes with factory-applied butyl sealant already in the base, and the S-5! patented reservoir conceals the sealant from UV exposure, preventing drying and cracks.
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