Radiant Heat for a Trex/Composite deck?

[lilscorpion]

Half a dozen years ago my parents had their front and rear porches rebuilt using composite material. Living I Chicago, ice forms easily and quickly and my father has fallen a few times as a result. They do use ice melt however they also have some dogs so they use a pet and composite friendly melt which (in my opinion) doesn't work as well as it should. Has anyone heard of a radiant heat solution that cam be used on/under composite material? It doesn't transfer heat like concrete so I don't know if typical driveway solutions will work or not and I've not been able to find anything online thus far. Obviously the deck wasn't cheap so it would be better if there is a solution for the current deck as opposed to ripping it all out and starting over. Thanks.

 

[LEVE]

I've a 50'X12' composite deck and face the same problem. I've been looking at heat mats that can be put on the top of the deck material. They're pretty pricey, so I haven't pulled the trigger to by them as yet. I need about 30' of the stuff.

 

[wrench409]

Have you checked the mfr's site for this issue? Perhaps they have some recommendations.

 

[ford33]

I also have a Trex deck in Chicago. It's been very warm in Chicago this winter. We broke a record for most days with no snow - 300+ days so far.

We don't use our deck during the winter and so this isn't an issue for me. However, I did investigate deck warming solutions and found this site. www.heatizon.com

They show a wire grid applied beneath a wood deck surface. It requires a waterproof membrane between the deck surface and the heating wires so you would have to pull up the decking to make it work.

http://www.heatizon.com/products/radiant-snow-melting/pavers

Another solution is simpler. How about using a dark color water repelling matting to create a walking path on the deck. The dark color would absorb the radiant sunshine during the day and heat the mat material thereby melting some ice and snow. Some holes in the matting would allow water drainage. The path would still freeze on really cold days but it is a solution for much of the winter.

Finally, when I was working in Alaska, we would wear spiked shoe covers. They fit over your shoes and have very small metal or rubber studs on the bottom that grip the ice very well.

 

[lilscorpion]

Have you checked the mfr's site for this issue? Perhaps they have some recommendations.

A technical specialist will be calling me tomorrow. Good idea.

 

[lilscorpion]

I also have a Trex deck in Chicago. It's been very warm in Chicago this winter. We broke a record for most days with no snow - 300+ days so far.

We don't use our deck during the winter and so this isn't an issue for me. However, I did investigate deck warming solutions and found this site. www.heatizon.com

They show a wire grid applied beneath a wood deck surface. It requires a waterproof membrane between the deck surface and the heating wires so you would have to pull up the decking to make it work.

http://www.heatizon.com/products/radiant-snow-melting/pavers

Another solution is simpler. How about using a dark color water repelling matting to create a walking path on the deck. The dark color would absorb the radiant sunshine during the day and heat the mat material thereby melting some ice and snow. Some holes in the matting would allow water drainage. The path would still freeze on really cold days but it is a solution for much of the winter.

Finally, when I was working in Alaska, we would wear spiked shoe covers. They fit over your shoes and have very small metal or rubber studs on the bottom that grip the ice very well.

I guess it was a rain that froze that got him. He knew it might be slick and why checking to see if it was, he slipped off the top step and down he went. I've found a couple of solutions but the best (as far as we are concerned) is one that he doesn't need to think about. Ideally it would be part of the house instead of something that needs to be put up and taken down at season change. Since it only takes one fall, I'd rather also prevent that once. I'll check out heatizon.com. It wouldn't be impossible to remove the steps on his deck, it's fairly straight forward so something like that could work.

 

[lilscorpion]

I've a 50'X12' composite deck and face the same problem. I've been looking at heat mats that can be put on the top of the deck material. They're pretty pricey, so I haven't pulled the trigger to by them as yet. I need about 30' of the stuff.

I found WarmTrax like you're referring to and yes, they're crazy expensive.

I think they start at $130 a step. There's maybe 6 steps on each stair case so that would end up pricey - and you'd want to remove them in the off season I would think. For $1500 bucks I'd like to rule out a permanent solution before I go that route. He'll have to remember to put them down before first freeze. I like the idea though.

 

[ford33]

Since you mentioned stairs as a primary concern, I did a Google search on "Preventing ice on stairs" and found an interesting product.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/...ges/Seasonal_Solutions/Ice_Breaker_Mats/54657

The Vermont Country Store offers Ice breaker mats that fit on stair treads and they also offer door mats. They break up the ice when you walk on the mat. They also make a mat similar to a carpet stair runner but it requires gluing it to the surface which it is too cold right now to perform. The reviews online are good. Might be worth a look before spending $1500.

Cost for a stair tread or mat is $15 ea.

 

[gaximus]

Super late to this convo, but when I built my composite deck, here in Colorado. I got those heated wires they put gutters to keep them from freezing, and attached them to the bottom of each plank. Pic below. The plank with snow is where I connected wires together. I didn’t realize the first few feet didn’t create heat.

 

[nickelTwin]

Super late to this convo, but when I built my composite deck, here in Colorado. I got those heated wires they put gutters to keep them from freezing, and attached them to the bottom of each plank. Pic below. The plank with snow is where I connected wires together. I didn’t realize the first few feet didn’t create heat.

That's pretty good. What is the temperature that day the photo was taken?
Thanks

 

[gaximus]

Don’t remember. But it works down to -8F. Maybe lower but never tried it lower. It has a hard time keeping up when windy.

 

[nickelTwin]

Thanks
I might try putting that in this summer.

 

[ryanalanjacobs]

That's pretty good. What is the temperature that day the photo was taken?
Thanks

Any chance you know the model # of heat wire you used?

 

[wynona1413]

Super late to this convo, but when I built my composite deck, here in Colorado. I got those heated wires they put gutters to keep them from freezing, and attached them to the bottom of each plank. Pic below. The plank with snow is where I connected wires together. I didn’t realize the first few feet didn’t create heat.

Any chance you know the model # of heat wire you used?

Any chance you know the model # of heat wire you used?

I also live in Colorado and was told this type of heating might melt the composite decking. Have you had any problems with yours?

 

[jimindm]

I have the heated mats. I do not remember the brand name.

I had looked at them and thought about the cost and had not bought them. About six years ago I bought a set up at an auction. They work great.

They work well enough that I have purchased some new to add to the used. To finish the lay out I want.

Only on the coldest days and if the wind is blowing will it not keep up.

Our deck is build with no step out of the house. It is on the north side and gets no winter sun. For years it was a chore to keep that door usable. One of the mats laid there and I have not even thought about it.

 

[lilscorpion]

Sorry for the late reply, took me a minute to see the thread and then find what my parents used on their composite deck - this stuff

 

[andyvh1959]

Interesting. But the "heat" only has to be high eough to not allow freezing, or ice to form. Maybe just enough temperature to keep the stairs and deck around 50F or so. Certainly well within the temperature stability of the deck material.

 

[somerdude]

I also live in Colorado and was told this type of heating might melt the composite decking. Have you had any problems with

Super late to this convo, but when I built my composite deck, here in Colorado. I got those heated wires they put gutters to keep them from freezing, and attached them to the bottom of each plank. Pic below. The plank with snow is where I connected wires together. I didn’t realize the first few feet didn’t create heat.

The photo with wires was the underside before you installed the tread? Wouldn't the wire be pinched by the joist?