Canadian winters are renowned for their heavy snowfalls. But every season is unique : snow quantity, density, and accumulation time vary from year to year. Heavy and dense snow can place significant pressure on your roof, potentially compromising its structural integrity. Are you wondering if your roof can withstand the snow load this winter? Tensio's Roof Snow Calculator provides a quick and easy estimate of the maximum snow height your roof can handle based on the type of snow.

How Does It Work?

The calculator uses the information you provide, such as your building’s address and construction year, to estimate the maximum snow load your roof can support.

Here's how the roof snow calculator works:

1. 1. Data from the National Building Code of Canada :
      Tensio's calculator incorporates data from all National Building Code of Canada editions since 1960. These standards define the snow loads a building should withstand based on its location across Canada.
   2. Snow Density:
      Snow density changes over time, both for fresh snowfall and accumulated snow on roofs. The calculator accounts for these variations by offering three different results based on snow density.
   3. Conversion to Snow Height:
      Snow load, expressed in kilopascals (kPa), is converted into an equivalent snow height. This makes it easier for you to visualize how much snow your roof can handle.

Limitations of the Calculator

While the calculator is a helpful tool, it has some limitations:

• Code-Based Capacity: The capacity is established according to the codes and standards in force at the time of construction, and not according to a structural assessment of the structure. It reflects the design capacity the building should have been constructed for, but it doesn’t guarantee the quality of engineering work.
• Elevation Changes: Changes in roof elevation often lead to greater snow accumulation in certain areas. These specific zones are typically reinforced to handle higher loads. While our calculator does not account for these variations, this does not necessarily pose a risk. The snow height indicated by the tool might be exceeded locally, but the structure is usually designed to safely manage these increased accumulations. For a more precise evaluation, we recommend scheduling a free consultation with us.
• Simplifications: To ensure ease of use, the calculator employs averages and approximations. It doesn’t account for all factors affecting a roof’s snow load capacity, such as building risk categories, roof slope, wind exposure, etc.

In conclusion, the Tensio snow load calculator provides a quick and easy estimate of your roof's capacity to handle snow accumulation. If you require a more detailed evaluation or personalized advice, feel free to contact our experts. We also offer a snow load monitoring service for your roof.

Try our calculator now to estimate your roof's capacity!