Engineering snow safety: The origin story of TRA Snow & Sun

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how a roofing consultant’s search for answers led to a new standard in snow retention engineering. 

What began as a roofing consultant’s challenge has evolved into one of the industry’s leading voices in snow retention engineering. At TRA Snow & Sun’s 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar, Heidi J. Ellsworth had a chance to speak with founder Terry Anderson about how decades of field experience, research and innovation shaped the company’s origin story. 

Terry’s journey started while consulting for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was tasked with solving widespread failures in tile roofing systems exposed to snow and ice. “I found out right away that in snow country, when snow and ice moved on tile roofs, it broke them up, especially in the valleys and at the eaves,” Terry said. 

With no clear answers from manufacturers in the United States, Anderson took his search overseas. “They didn’t know the answer either,” he said. “I was referred to England to talk to Dr. Nigel Cherry, and from there I went to Norway, Germany and Austria to see how they handled tile roofs in snow climates.” 

What he discovered reshaped his approach to roofing design. European systems relied on engineered snow retention strategies based on roof slope, snow load and run length — a stark contrast to the methods commonly used in the U.S. “It dawned on me immediately there was no engineering behind this at all,” Terry said. “People were just saying, ‘Put two rows of snow brackets on,’ and that was it.” 

Determined to bring science into the equation, Terry began developing and testing snow retention systems with Brigham Young University. “I designed and patented my first snow bracket with six tests and all different types. I didn’t believe in testing my bracket just by itself,” Terry shared. “We engineered everything from the fail point of the roof system — that makes us different than others. We’ve been a success ever since.” 

That focus on engineering and safety became the foundation of TRA Snow & Sun. Over time, Terry’s work expanded beyond product development into advocacy, driven by real-world consequences. “When snow slides off and hits someone, it’s preventable with proper engineering,” Terry stated. “That’s what I’ve been trying to promote.” 

Today, TRA continues to educate contractors through training, tools and engineered layouts designed to improve safety and professionalism across the industry. 

Watch the full interview to hear more of Terry's story and learn how TRA Snow & Sun’s snow retention can protect lives and property.