1
The Mounting Assembly Is Fastened to the Roof
The mounting assembly is mechanically fastened through the metal panel into appropriate material beneath the roof.
Screw-Down Metal Roof Vent Protection
Screw-down and exposed-fastener metal roofs can use mechanically fastened vent-protection systems, but the attachment must be made into adequate structural material beneath the metal panel rather than relying on the thin roof sheet alone.
How is a vent protector attached to a screw-down metal roof?
A mechanically fastened mounting assembly is secured through
the metal roof into suitable material below the panel. The
structural attachment should come from the substrate beneath
the roof sheet, not from the sheet metal alone.
Why Screw-Down Roofs Use Mechanical Fastening
Screw-down metal roofs, also called exposed-fastener roofs, are built differently from standing seam systems.
Fasteners are already used through the roof panels as part of the roofing system, so a mechanically fastened vent-protection mounting assembly can be used when it is installed according to the product-specific requirements.
The critical issue is not simply whether a screw passes through the panel. The important issue is what that fastener is anchored into beneath the metal.
Key point:
The metal roof sheet itself should not be treated as the primary
structural attachment for the vent-protection assembly.
How a Screw-Down Vent Protection System Works
Mechanical attachment, snow diversion and penetration support work together as one system.
2
The Protector Is Positioned Upslope
The snow-diversion fin is positioned on the upslope side of the vent pipe or chimney where moving snow and ice approach the penetration.
3
The Pipe or Chimney Receives Support
The VentSaver protection concept also connects the assembly to the penetration so it provides support in addition to snow diversion.
Structural Attachment Beneath the Metal Panel
A thin metal roof panel is not intended to provide the entire structural resistance for a vent-protection system.
The mounting fasteners need to engage suitable material beneath the roof panel, such as wood blocking, decking or another appropriate structural substrate.
The exact substrate and attachment method depend on the roof construction and the product-specific installation requirements.
Important:
Do not install the mounting assembly using short fasteners
that only stitch the plate to the thin metal roof sheet. The
fasteners must engage adequate material below the panel.
The Upslope Position Is Critical
The protector needs to encounter moving snow before the penetration does.
A
Snow Moves Toward the Penetration
Snow and ice can release from a sloped metal roof and move toward the eave.
A vent pipe or chimney projecting above the roof surface can become an obstruction in that path.
B
The Protector Redirects the Snow
The snow-diversion fin is installed on the upslope side so moving snow encounters the protective assembly before it reaches the vent or chimney.
The moving snow can then be redirected around the penetration.
Why the Base of the Penetration Still Matters
The mounting plate and snow-diversion assembly should be installed so moving snow and ice travel onto and around the protection system rather than working underneath it.
Proper installation helps protect the area around the base of the vent pipe or chimney and the roof boot.
The System Provides More Than Snow Diversion
A dedicated vent protector addresses both the moving snow and the penetration itself.
1
Snow Diversion
The protective fin redirects moving snow and ice around the vent pipe or chimney instead of allowing the penetration to receive the force directly.
2
Penetration Support
The VentSaver system also connects to the pipe or chimney, adding support to the penetration as part of the protective assembly.
What Should Be Checked Before Installation?
A screw-down vent-protection installation should be matched to both the roof construction and the penetration being protected.
- Metal roof panel type
- Location of suitable structural substrate
- Type and thickness of decking or blocking
- Vent pipe or chimney location
- Pipe or chimney diameter
- Height of the penetration above the roof
- Roof pitch
- Snow and ice conditions
Product-specific installation instructions should be followed when selecting fasteners, locating the mounting assembly and determining the final installation.
Screw-Down Vent Protection vs. Snow Retention
A mechanically fastened vent protector is designed to protect a particular vent pipe, chimney or similar roof penetration.
A roof-wide snow-retention system has a different purpose: managing accumulated snow over a broader portion of the roof.
Both systems can be used together when the building requires penetration-specific protection and broader snow management.
Looking for Screw-Down VentSaver Information?
Current VentSaver models, mounting requirements, installation instructions, accessories and purchasing information are available directly from VentSaver.