I am thinking of putting a first-floor porch on the "long" side of the 2-story Universal Cottage, and plan to use metal seam roofing (for both the house and porch). I worry, however, that snow/ice sliding off the roof could create problems when it hits the porch roof below (after a free fall of 8 feet or so). This would be in Minnesota, so heavy accumulations must be designed for. Thoughts?
Have you considered adding a second story porch also----would solve your snow dump problem and give you some great additional space----you could even close it in for a great sun room addition to an upstairs bedroom.
:)
That sounds like a reasonable solution. I've seen pics of a deck torn off a house from the snow thumping on it. Also pics of crushed cars, roof vents on the ground, etc. Snow can be quite heavy when it lets go.
Would also be good to build enough eave overhang to avoid snow buildup against the house. I spent 9 years in Valdez Alaska where we averaged 330" of snow a year-----I know what heavy snow buildup is like!