Smart Winter Design for Modern Construction
Posted on February 18, 2026 by Ceco Building Systems
Why builders should consider pre-engineered metal buildings for today’s shifting snow and ice conditions
Winter Has Changed, and Buildings Are Feeling the Impact
Recent winters have produced heavier snowfall, sharper lake effect events and more frequent mixes of rain, snow and ice. These changing patterns are stressing older buildings that were never designed for such conditions and revealing weak points in structures that assumed uniform snow depth.
Across the country, multiple failures reflect this trend, including school and commercial roof collapses in Ohio and New York, along with unexpected damage in states that rarely see major snowfall such as Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to track these shifts in its Storm Events Database, National Snow and Ice Monthly Reports and the National Snow Analyses, all of which highlight increasing winter storm impacts.
How Winter Roof Loads Actually Behave
Roof problems in winter typically result from concentrated loading rather than a simple layer of snow. Wind, temperature swings, roof geometry and blocked drainage are responsible for most issues.
Uneven Accumulation and Drift
Wind moves snow into parapets, roof step transitions, valleys and behind rooftop equipment. Drifts in these areas can weigh several times more than snow in open zones, creating unbalanced conditions that may exceed the original design.
Sliding Snow and Lower Roof Loading
Upper roofs can shed snow abruptly. When this snow hits the lower roof, it delivers both an impact and a long-term accumulation load. Damage is common when the lower level was not engineered to handle both.
Rain on Snow and Rapid Weight Increase
Rainfall on an existing snowpack can increase weight dramatically in a short time. Modern design standards treat this as a specific loading case because many failures occur during mixed precipitation.
Ice Blocking Roof Drains and Gutters
Frozen drainage systems push meltwater back onto the roof where it refreezes. This can overload roof edges or create dense ice formations. On low slope roofs, refreezing ponded water behaves as a separate load that older buildings often were not designed to support.
Metal Building Note: Gutter System Overload Protection
Because these loads often focus at roof edges, modern metal building gutter systems include protective features. Gutters are typically installed with engineered breakaway clips attached to the roof panel straps. These clips release when the gutter becomes overloaded by ice, compacted snow or frozen meltwater.
This controlled detachment reduces the risk of pulling on roof panels or fasteners. Once conditions are safe, the gutter is usually easy to reinstall or replace.
FEMA’s Snow Load Safety Guide offers practical signs of overstress before, during and after winter storms.
Download the guide HERE.
Why Some Buildings Face Greater Winter Risk
Many older buildings were designed using outdated snow data and older design tools that did not fully address drifting, uneven loading or rain on snow. Current codes incorporate better snow maps and clearer instructions for handling these conditions.
Some jurisdictions are still using earlier code cycles. Even in those cases, using today’s best field practices can improve performance and reduce winter related issues.
Why Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings Perform Well in Winter
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs), when designed to current code requirements, are developed for the specific site, local snow patterns and roof geometry. Frames, purlins and connections work together as a coordinated system instead of relying on simplified assumptions.
The MBMA Metal Building Systems Manual, updated for the 2024 IBC and ASCE 7 22, includes worked examples for snow, rain and drainage calculations.
PEMB roof systems shed snow efficiently on appropriate slopes. Designers evaluate how that snow will collect on lower roofs and add capacity where needed. This integrated approach helps minimize winter-related surprises when construction and maintenance follow the engineering documents.
Field Detailing That Helps Reduce Winter Callbacks
Parapets and Roof Steps
Treat these areas as drift zones and verify bracing, connections and panel attachment.
Eaves, Gutters, Scuppers and Internal Drains
Ensure drainage paths are clear. Consider heat tracing and redundant drainage where freeze risk is high.
Lower Roof Catch Zones
Confirm lower roof capacity for both snow impact from above and long term accumulation.
Snow Retention Devices
Use only when specified by engineering, as retention alters upstream load patterns.
Existing Buildings: What To Recommend
For aging or stressed buildings, encourage owners to consult a licensed structural professional. Engineers can evaluate the structure and recommend targeted improvements such as reinforced frames, stronger connections or upgraded drainage systems. MBMA provides useful retrofit guidance.
Builders should avoid advising owners on snow removal strategies or diagnosing structural concerns, as these decisions require engineering expertise.
Before the Storm: Free Checklist for Building Owners
Share this Winter Storm Readiness Checklist to help owners prepare before the season starts. It offers simple preventive steps that can help reduce winter problems.
The checklist helps owners:
- Clear gutters, drains and downspouts
- Identify parapets and height transitions where drifting may occur
- Determine whether heat tracing is needed in freeze prone areas
- Understand what conditions to watch during storms
- Recognize post storm warning signs such as sagging, sticking doors or ice at roof edges
- Know when to call a licensed structural engineer
Talking With Owners About Winter Risk
Owners often underestimate how snow and ice affect their buildings. FEMA notes that many failures occur because of concentrated pockets of snow and ice at roof features, not because of the overall storm total. Heavy, wet snow and blocked drainage can increase loads faster than many owners realize.
A simple one page handoff sheet can clarify warning signs and basic maintenance checks. FEMA’s Snow Load Safety Guidance flyer is a strong supplemental resource.
Why Builders Who Do Not Use PEMBs Should Re consider
Builders working with conventional steel, wood, CMU or hybrid systems may benefit from adopting PEMBs for many applications. PEMBs use modern snow maps, account for drifting and unbalanced loads and integrate roof and drainage design from the start.
The MBMA Manual for 2024, aligned with IBC 2024 and ASCE 7 22, reinforces these modern methods. For builders who want a clear explanation of how today’s snow and rain load provisions differ from older approaches, this overview is a helpful reference.
Ceco Building Systems Authorized Builders also gain access to myPortal, a streamlined online project platform that incorporates current load requirements, provides real time pricing, tracks orders and consolidates project coordination.
Winter Conditions Continue to Evolve
Winter storms are becoming less predictable, and buildings face snow and ice patterns that differ significantly from those of past decades. Builders who understand drifting, rain on snow, sliding snow and freeze-and-thaw cycles can help owners better protect their investment.
Pre-engineered metal buildings offer a reliable solution when engineered, detailed and installed properly. By applying updated load criteria and communicating clearly with owners, builders can deliver structures that perform confidently in winter conditions year after year.
Build With Confidence
If you are seeking a building solution designed for modern winter demands, Ceco Building Systems can help. Our pre-engineered systems, supported by the efficiency of myPortal, give builders a streamlined path to durable, winter ready projects.
Get a quote from Ceco Building Systems today and learn how our solutions can support your next project.
Want to learn more? Listen to our Metal Minutes Podcast: Winter-Ready by Design: How PEMBs Help Deliver in Snow, Ice and Extreme Cold