Protect Roofs and Pedestrians

With winter fast approaching, home and business owners alike are checking the conditions of their roofs and taking steps to prepare for the impending snow and ice storms. Clearing gutters and checking the condition of shingles and flashing every fall is crucial for proper roof maintenance.

While some property owners install ice guards to prevent large slabs of ice from falling and injuring pedestrians or damaging vehicles, many opt for a more comprehensive approach when it comes to safety – and roof maintenance. 

Roofs are typically designed to withstand significant weight loads, so the volume of snow on a roof is usually not an issue. (Roofs are typically designed to withstand a snow load of 30 pounds per square foot, depending on your location and elevation). Radiant roof heating systems aren’t typically used to keep entire roofs free of snow; rather, the de-icing systems are designed to enhance safety and prolong the lifespan of a roof by keeping specific areas free of snow and ice. In general, de-icing systems are installed to prevent problems by facilitating steady runoff and eliminating any troublesome areas where ice often accumulates.

Icicles over a home's entryway

Keeping roof edges clear of snow and ice helps to ensure safety for pedestrian traffic, but perhaps the single most important function of a roof heating system is to prevent ice dams from forming. In this regard, a roof de-icing system can be a real money saver.

Ice dams are the most prominent culprits when it comes to roof damage and expensive water damage inside the home. If an attic isn’t properly insulated, warm air can escape from the home into the attic. There, the warm air rises and slowly warms the roof. The underlying layer of snow on the roof then begins to melt. It trickles down to the roof eave, but because the overhanging eaves aren’t heated by the attic air, the water tends to re-freeze. As this process repeats, eventually a ridge of ice forms on the eave. That ridge grows and gets to a point where water begins to pool behind the ridge. This is where the real trouble starts.

As water pools behind the ice dam, the water can seep into every tiny nook and crevice in the roof. When the water refreezes at night, it expands, and over time, those tiny cracks in the shingles and roofing grow. It’s a slow process, but eventually those cracks can turn into large cracks that allow water to seep into the home.

Perhaps the most affordable way to prevent ice dams from forming is to install self-regulating heat trace cable. ProLine’s cable is an industry leader, and can be easily installed along roof eaves, valleys, and in roof gutters. Using cable clips, the heat cable is installed in a repeating V pattern along the eave, which provides channels for the runoff to reach the gutter. This system is easy to customize, and is the most popular de-icing solution.

Entire roof eaves can also be heated. ProLine’s low-voltage STEP® roof heating system is often used to keep roof valleys, eaves, and other areas completely free of snow and ice. The system features thin, self-regulating heating panels that are installed neatly under shingles or metal roofs. Transformers are used to step down the high voltage to low voltage (60 V or less) while controlling specific sections of the roof de-icing system.

Low-voltage roof heating systems
The low-voltage STEP roof de-icing system is ideal for keeping roof valleys and eaves completely free of snow and ice.

The flexible heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication to achieve water proofing and protection from alkaline or salt damage. This versatile system can be used to heat just about any type of roofing material. The heating element is available in widths of 3, 6, 9 or 12 inches. The low-voltage element is easy to install and can be cut to size on the job site. It can be nailed or stapled through, making installation quicker and easier than other traditional roof heating systems. Because the heating element is self-regulating, when the ambient temperature rises, the electrical resistance increases and the consumption of electricity decreases. This prevents the element from overheating and ensures energy-efficient operation.

ProLine is a leading provider of trusted roof de-icing systems. Self-regulating heat trace cable is also used for pipe trace solutions, so whatever your needs, contact ProLine today to find the ideal system for your needs.

In addition to industry-leading radiant heat solutions, ProLine also includes comprehensive customer support services, ranging from free installation training and system design/layout, to real-time technical support for installers. ProLine’s professional team of radiant heat system designers, trainers, and technical support staff are on hand now to assist you. Call 866-676-9276 today.

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

Happy Veterans Day

To all the men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces, WE THANK YOU!

Here at ProLine, we stand united to salute our veterans, and publicly give thanks for your dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. It is because of your service that we enjoy the freedoms and blessings of living in this great land.

We also recognize that you continue to serve this country through your experience and example. Local communities benefit because of the character and leadership of our veterans. The devotion you have shown to this country serves as an example to all of us, and will forever keep us mindful of our freedoms.

We are also proud and honored that so many of our customers, and others in the ProLine family, have served within various branches of the U.S. military. It is our privilege to serve you with the same commitment, integrity, and devotion as shown by this nation’s veterans.

We look forward to the future. We are grateful for your service, and know that together, we can continue our pursuit of happiness in a free and secure country in which we are proud to raise our children.

Happy Veterans Day, 2024!

With gratitude,

The ProLine family

House with American Flag

ProLine Wholesale Radiant Heat Solutions

As the benefits of radiant heat become more well known, the demand for efficient radiant heating systems continues to skyrocket. Many of today’s modern homes tout radiant heated floors, and homeowners in cold weather climates are installing heated driveways and custom roof de-icing solutions. Given the characteristics of radiant heat, it’s no surprise that consumers throughout Northern America are choosing clean radiant heat for their heating and snow melting needs.

With the ongoing healthy housing market, and increase in demand for radiant heat installations, construction professionals are eager to find wholesale radiant heat providers that make the purchase and installation process easy.

Unlike other wholesale providers, ProLine Radiant not only offers significant discounts on premier quality products, but includes comprehensive customer support services, ranging from free installation training and system design/layout, technical support for installers. Contractors also know that whatever radiant heat solution is needed, ProLine has the bases covered.

A radiant snow melting system at an outdoor.
A snow melting system in action at an outdoor mall.

Building professionals don’t have to be radiant heat experts to offer heated floor, driveway, or roof de-icing solutions to their customers. ProLine’s expertise and support personnel help to ensure a successful experience for the installer and the home or business owner. ProLine managers, trainers, electrical experts, and system designers walk their customers through every step of the way during the installation process. The professional AutoCAD schematic provides installers with a detailed system design/layout that addresses all the electrical needs and layout details of the project. The professional layout is also coupled with ProLine’s industry-leading installation training and tech support services. Knowing that ProLine offers a wide variety of best-in-class radiant heat solutions, backed by premier customer support services give contractors the confidence and peace of mind

Contractors rely on ProLine for a wide variety of snow and ice melting applications. ProLine snow melting systems are among the best in their class, and the systems are easy to customize, making them ideal to homeowners with a variety of needs. ProLine offers professional builders a host of radiant heat solutions. Some of these solutions include:

Roof De-icing Options

ProLine roof de-icing solutions range from custom self-regulating heat cable applications to the industry-leading low-voltage de-icing system. Heated aluminum panels and other options are also available. While the low-voltage system is the most popular and ideal for keeping entire roof eaves, valleys, and other areas free of snow and ice, self-regulating heat cable is perhaps the most in-demand roof heating product. The cable can be easily routed where needed, and these systems are also the most affordable.

Snow Melting System Options

Electric snow melting systems can tailored to meet the specific snow melting and budget needs of home and business owners. The systems can be installed to heat driveways, sidewalks, steps, ramps, loading docks, and so much more.

Cambridge paver heated driveway.
A radiant snow melting system installed for a heated paver driveway.

Homeowners particularly appreciate the custom options when it comes to heating their driveways. The systems can be installed to heat entire driveways, or two 24-inch-wide heated tire tracks can be installed. This is an affordable yet highly effective option. Or, just portions of the driveway can be heated. Heat cable can be installed to heat virtually any size or shape of area, so consumers can simply install a snow melting system on a “problem” incline, or area(s) where ice typically forms.

Floor Heating Options

ProLine also offers a wide range of floor heating options. The systems can be used to heat virtually all types of flooring, from vinyl and hardwood to ceramic tile and stone. The floor heating elements include systems with thin heat cable as well as neat paper-thin sheets and low-voltage panels. Call a ProLine representative today to learn more about the many floor heating options that are available.

ProLine works with building professionals, and distributes its products through wholesalers, so the prices are significantly discounted. The wholesale pricing is backed by unprecedented customer support services.

ProLine Radiant was created to match wholesale customers to the best radiant heat products and prices available while offering unprecedented customer services. As a leading provider of radiant snow melting, roof de-icing, and floor heating solutions, ProLine constantly searches for and produces the latest radiant heat technology to provide customers with outstanding quality solutions, unparalleled service, convenience, and preferred pricing.

For more information about radiant snow melting systems, roof de-icing and heat trace solutions, or floor heating systems, call a friendly ProLine representative today, at 866-676-9276.