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The placement of snow guards depends on the individual roof, but typically snow guards are placed between 12 and 18 inches from the eaves, though they can be placed as close as six inches and as far as 24 inches from the eaves. A roofing professional can assess the roof and potential snow loads to determine the best placement.

Metal roofs can rust, but steel is a material that holds up well to environmental factors, especially if it’s painted or galvanized. One of the main determining factors regarding rust is the environment the roof is in. Harsher environments with a lot of salt in the air will rust much more quickly than a steel or metal roof in a dry climate. Zinc-coated steel, called galvanized steel, is excellent at preventing rust from forming.

There are advantages and disadvantages to metal roofs in cold climates. Metal roofing stands up extremely well to harsh winters as long as it is properly insulated. Snow and ice slide right off residential metal roofs, preventing the formation of ice dams; but because of this, they may require snow guards, which prevent the ice and snow that slide off a roof from causing a sort of "mini avalanche" that can damage property and people below.

Asphalt shingle roofs are more likely to leak than metal roofs because they are more prone to uplift and damage from extreme weather, moss growth, and ice dams. Asphalt shingles also lose shingle grit over time, which decreases their waterproofing qualities. Metal is a more resilient material that will stand up better to strong winds and heavy precipitation, ultimately leading to a lower risk of leaking. As such, metal roofs add to home value with a higher ROI than asphalt roofs in most cases.