For Your Safety: Ramp Heating

In winter, electric heating built under the surface keeps a steep garage ramp, driveway, steps and path free of snow and ice; in most cases we use a heating cable for this. There is no more shovelling snow at dawn, the risk of slipping is lower for pedestrians and vehicles alike, and the heating only needs to run during snowy, frosty periods.

At first it may seem contradictory to heat outside the house when energy prices have risen. For hazardous outdoor surfaces - a steep driveway, steps, a ramp - it is a matter of safety, though: they need careful use even in summer, and especially on icy winter mornings. Fresh snow cover looks lovely, but one careless step on the ice beneath it is enough to cause trouble.

Why is a garage ramp dangerous in winter?

Snow and ice endanger not only pedestrians but also make it harder to drive in and out. At many houses the garage is on the basement level and is reached by a steep ramp - which is awkward even in dry weather. In winter, snow that melts during the day can refreeze overnight, and by morning the driveway is covered in a sheet of ice. That is the most extreme case, but even fresh snow is a nuisance: shovelling in the dark, shortly after waking up, just to be able to get the car out.

How does ramp heating work?

To heat outdoor ramps and paths, in most cases we install a heating cable under the surface. The cable has no moving parts, so the chance of failure is small, and installation is relatively quick and simple. The running cost depends on the size of the heated area and on how long the heating operates: if it only switches on during slippery periods, the extra on your electricity bill is moderate, while the winter safety and convenience are considerable.

The benefits of ramp heating in brief:

• quick installation, invisible under the surface;
• a durable solution with no moving parts;
• lower risk of slipping and of damage to the car;
• no shovelling snow off the driveway at dawn;
• no combustion products are produced on site.

You can read about heating cable solutions and our range on the heating under asphalt and paving page. If it is not just de-icing but also comfort outdoors around the house that matters to you, it is worth looking at the options for terrace heating as well.

If safety matters to you and your family in the winter months too, request a tailored quote. If you have a question about ramp heating or any other electric or infrared heating, get in touch using the details below (installation is available in Hungary):

Phone: +36 20 400 7400
Email: info@futofolia.hu

Wishing you a pleasant day,
Tamás Tóth
and the Intelligens Fűtőfólia team