All posts by Proline Editor

NEWS

Radiant Snow Melting Systems

What are the Options for Installing a Driveway Heating System?

When it comes to radiant heat installations, there are many custom options that are available to your customers. While many homeowners may express a desire to have a radiant heated driveway, many assume that the systems are financially out of reach, and leave it at that. Intimidated by the imagined cost, they abandon any thoughts of learning more about the systems; and instead, they upgrade their old plastic snow shovel with a new, poly blade shovel with double ergonomic grip.

What many potential customers don’t realize is that radiant snow melting systems can be easily customized to accommodate everything from performance and layout to the customers’ budget. Instead of being discouraged by the perceived cost of an automated snow melting system, homeowners can work with you (and ProLine), and be matched with the system that is ideal for their needs.

Radiant snow melting systems can be installed in all the common mediums, including concrete, asphalt, and pavers. (A heat cable with a special outer jacket is available for hot asphalt installations.) Existing driveways can even be retrofitted with a radiant heat system.

Heated paver walkway with cutaway showing heat cable and paver sand.

So, while homeowners dream about having an automated heated driveway, they don’t have to give up on that dream because of preconceived notions regarding cost. Driveway heating systems can be easily customized according to the customer’s budget needs.

Some of the general layout options for driveway heating systems are listed below:

Heat entire areas – Many homeowners prefer heating the entire driveway. Heat cable can be installed to keep driveways, sidewalks, steps, ramps and other outdoor areas completely free of snow and ice. Radiant snow melting systems can be tailored to meet the customer’s specific demands, and are designed to be installed in a wide variety of applications, including concrete, asphalt, and pavers.

Heat only the trafficked areas – Another popular option for homeowners is to install radiant heat only in the commonly trafficked areas. For example, rather than heating the entire driveway, two 24-inch-wide tire tracks can be installed, or an 8-foot strip in the middle of the driveway can be heated. Heated tire tracks are especially popular for homeowners looking to heat a long driveway, have power restrictions, or are looking to keep within a tight budget. These options can save customers installation costs as well as operational costs because less surface area is being heated.

Heat only small, select areas – Radiant heat systems are easy to customize, and can be installed to heat just about any layout. Small footpaths can be heated as well as odd shaped areas. Heating cable can be installed to heat disability ramps, outdoor steps, patios, sidewalks, and even dog kennels, dog runs, and more. The applications are virtually limitless. In addition to electric radiant heat systems, ProLine also offers customers hydronic radiant heat solutions. 

Heated tire tracks in driveway
Heated tire tracks, installed in a residential driveway in Canada.

A great advantage of working with ProLine is that customers not only receive radiant heat solutions at wholesale prices, but that the systems are backed by preeminent customer support services. ProLine includes free installation training, professional system design, and technical support for installers.

These services have helped to establish ProLine as an industry leader, and resulted in so much repeat business from contractors and professional builders throughout the country. When contractors install ProLine radiant heat solutions, they know that they’ll receive dedicated, personal support throughout the installation process.

In addition to heated driveways and snow melting systems, ProLine also offers a variety of industry-leading roof de-icing, floor heating, and pipe trace products and solutions. For more information about ProLine’s radiant heat solutions and services, contact a radiant heat professional at 866-676-9276 today.

NEWS

Roof De-icing

ProLine Self-regulating Heat Trace Cable

In recent years, ProLine Radiant has nearly doubled its production of heat trace cable. In addition to the track record and performance capabilities of the heat cable, building professionals have come to appreciate the ease of working with ProLine’s professional team of radiant heat system designers, trainers, and technical support staff. With each system, customers are able to rely on a team of experts who stand beside their customers throughout the installation process

ProLine’s versatile heat trace cable has proven to be ideal for a variety of roof de-icing applications (as well as pipe freeze prevention systems). Because of its ease of installation, effectiveness, and affordability, self-regulating heat trace cable systems have been a favorite among home and business owners. The heat trace systems can prevent a host of roof de-icing problems. While these de-icing systems don’t usually keep entire eaves free of snow and ice, they successfully provide channels for the runoff, thereby effectively eliminating ice dams, and allowing a path for the water to reach the roof gutters.

For more details about ice dams, visit ProLine’s roof de-icing web page that explains how ice dams are formed. Understanding how ice dams form helps homeowners know what steps to take to minimize or eliminate the factors that contribute to their development. Preventing problems from occurring is a whole lot easier and more affordable than dealing with the aftermath of a problem (such as structural or water damage).

Heated roof edges with self-regulating heat cable.
Self-regulating heat cable installed along roof edges.

A few years after I moved into my first home, I noticed one area on my roof where ice dams tended to develop. I know how destructive roof ice dams can be. They don’t look too threatening along the roof eaves, but underneath that pretty white snow lurks a quiet, surprisingly destructive force.

As warm air escapes from the home into a poorly insulated attic, it rises and gradually begins to warm the roof itself. Slowly, the underlying snow begins to melt. The water trickles down the roof toward the gutters. But, because the warm air doesn’t reach the roof eave, the roof is much colder, especially at night. When the runoff reaches the eaves, it eventually refreezes. When this process repeats, a wall of ice forms, and water begins to pool behind the “dam”. That water can seep into the tiniest cracks and imperfections on the roof. At night, when the water behind the ice dam refreezes, it expands. This can affect the existing anomalies and increase the size of the imperfections. The repeated freeze/thaw process can eventually threaten the integrity of the roof and shingles.

Needless to say, I didn’t want to deal with roof or water damage, so I looked into a way where I could eliminate the problem without spending a lot of money. Self-regulating heat cable was the answer.

ProLine system designers created the ideal solution for me. It was simple, easy to install, and very effective. The heat cable eliminated the possibility of ice dams, so now I don’t have to worry about any issues in those FORMER trouble spots.

Self-regulating heat cable installed along roof eave.
Self-regulating heat cable installed along roof eaves to prevent ice dams.

The self-regulating cable’s outer jacket features UV-stabilized thermoplastic elastomer to protect the irradiated conductive core. The self-regulating property allows the conductive core to increase heat output as the temperature falls and decrease output when the temperature rises. This feature ensures energy-efficient operation, and prevents the cable from overheating, even if the cables touch.

ProLine offers free installation training, system design, and technical support for installers. This is rare for a wholesale provider to offer these services. But that’s why contractors and professional builders repeated use ProLine. Not only are they assured of received top quality products at wholesale prices, but they receive the support they need to ensure their success, and that their customers are satisfied.

For more information

ProLine offers a variety of industry-leading roof de-icing products and solutions. For more information about ProLine’s self-regulating heat cable, contact a roof heating / pipe trace professional today. Call 866-676-9276 today.

NEWS

ProLine Simplifies Life for Construction Professionals

Wholesale Pricing and Unmatched Support Services Simplify Radiant Heat Installations for Contractors

When I first learned about ProLine and their wholesale pricing discounts, I figured I’d be an idiot if I didn’t check out their radiant heating products. Sure, the prices of their products were tempting, but before I jumped on the bandwagon, I did my homework. I decided to ask around and learn more about the quality of their products.

After some investigating, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the quality of ProLine’s self-regulating roof de-icing cable, driveway snow melting cable, and system components was pretty much equal to those of the industry’s top, established manufacturers. In some cases, the components were exactly the same, and in other cases, the argument could be made that ProLine’s quality was even better than that of the industry heavyweights. Could it be that the old guard had become a little complacent? Who knows what the reason is, but it’s apparent that just over a decade ago, ProLine burst onto the scene with a vengeance. Fortunately, their arrival has benefitted contractors and construction professionals throughout Northern America.

ProLine works with contractors and building professionals, but distributes through wholesalers, so the prices are significantly discounted. The wholesale pricing was a key strategy that allowed ProLine to make its introductory splash in the industry, but the company rounded out its business plan with its commitment to offering top-quality products, backed by unprecedented customer support services.

Radiant heat installation support
ProLine services include free installation training, technical support, and system design.

Who Does That?

Personal end-user customer services from wholesale suppliers were virtually unheard of back in the day, but ProLine has changed the game. The typical business model for wholesalers is one that omits the need to accommodate any customer service needs of the end user. But ProLine flipped that rule upside down. ProLine includes services such as professional system design, free installation training, and technical support. By offering those services, ProLine changed the wholesale scene, and the company continues to take the lead when it comes to customer service. By consistently providing the best quality products, backed by comprehensive customer support services, ProLine has established itself as an industry leader, and a provider upon which construction professionals can rely.

Maintain proper cable spacing
Heating cable being properly spaced and secured to remesh prior to pouring the concrete for a heated driveway.

ProLine snow melting systems feature durable heat cable off the spool or in mats. The cable off the spool is available for installations with 3- and 4-inch spacing (and custom spacing upon request) to create the ideal custom wattage per square foot for the customer. The snow melting heating mats feature cable that is pre-spaced for accurate spacing and fast, easy installation.

Heated driveways are easy to customize and install. ProLine systems have been installed to keep public transportation hubs clear of snow and ice, as well as to heat driveways, ramps, outdoor steps, parking areas, and more.

ProLine is also one of the largest suppliers of self-regulating heat cable. Self-regulating heat cable is typically used for roof de-icing applications as well as pipe trace free prevention systems. Several types of cable are available for a wide variety of de-icing needs. A thin, low-voltage heating panel that can be installed under roof shingles is also available. The popular system is often used to keep entire roof eaves and valleys free from snow and ice.

Low-voltage roof heating element
Low-voltage heating element for roof de-icing applications.

In addition to its many custom outdoor applications, ProLine is also a popular supplier of radiant floor heating systems. A variety of heating elements and system components are available. ProLine floor heating systems range from thin heat cable to paper-thin “film” heating mats that can be installed directly under floating floors, without the need for adhesives or mortar. To learn more about ProLine Radiant’s floor heating options, contact a radiant heat expert today, at 866-676-9276.