SNOW ICE MELTING MATS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another year, another frigid winter! You may not be breaking your back shovelling that driveway yet, but the time is fast approaching! However, if you want a snow-free doorway, driveaway, non-shovelling accident free winter then you better run (and try not to slip) to get one of our Snow Melting Heated Floor Mats. 

Snow Melting Heated Mats are an efficient and convenient way to prevent snow and ice accumulation around the home, small business property, industrial facility or a commercial environment. The benefits of a snow melting heated mat is obvious and if you’re here, you’re probably already interested in buying one but have some questions am I right? Questions like if heated snow melting mats really work (I was also skeptical at first), if the price is worth it, and how do they work? There are plenty of questions so with this post we hope to answer some common questions about heated mats from breaking down how the heated floor mats work to the cost of running them so you can get the most out of your mats!

OVERVIEW: WHAT IS A HEATED FLOOR MAT

A heated mat is an alternative snow removal method used to melt snow and ice. Electric heat track mats are a highly effective and cost efficient method that has set an industry standard. By utilizing durable rubber mats with heating technology inside, the mats are heated to a constant temperature that melts existing snow. In addition to taking care of existing snow and ice, our mats prevent any new snow from accumulating by melting snow on contact at a rate of 2” per hour. This prevents future snow and ice accumulation on walkways and stairs around your home. Since 1” per hour is considered “heavy snowfall,” you can rest assured that HeatTrak mats will be effective throughout strong winter storms.

HEAT TECHNOLOGY: EXTERNAL VS INTERNAL HEATED FLOOR MATS

While some people prefer to have internal heated coils installed in their driveway or walkways, there are many advantages to external rubber mats. The first advantage to external heated mats is the low initial cost and non-invasive installation. Because internal coils must be embedded within driveways and walkways, they are not easily installed. If the property is currently under construction, they must be worked into existing plans. If you are considering installing them in an existing structure, you must demolish the walkway, driveway or staircase in order to install the heating system. Thus internal heated floor mats are considerably more expensive than an external heated floor mat. As well, take into consideration the continued operating costs each winter as well as the difficulty accessing the coils for troubleshooting and repairs. External mats require an electrical outlet and are easy to set up (plug and go!) as well as accessible for maintenance and repairs should any issues arise. Our mats come with a two-year warranty - not to mention our exceptional customer service! Overall, external rubber mats give you all of the benefits with none of the hassle of the internal coils.

COST BREAKDOWN: WHAT DOES IT COST TO PURCHASE AND OPERATE HEATED MATS? 

We pride ourselves on offering the highest quality mats available on the market for the best price. While it depends on the type of mat purchased (whether you desire residential or commercial mats) as well as the type of mat (walkway, stairway or custom sized) most external rubber mats run from $150-300. And the good news is they don’t require any internal installation. That means there’s no need to rip up existing driveways, walkways or staircases on your property! In fact, heated snow melting floor mats protect your current surfaces from snow and ice damage. Not only is the price of heated snow removal mats lower when compared to internal coils or expensive equipment such as plows and blowers, but their operating costs are very low. Our Snow Melting Heated Floor Mats average about $1 per day they are on. 

MATERIALS: WHAT TYPES OF MATERIALS ARE UTILIZED IN HEATED MATS? 

Our heated snow melting mats are made of customized thermoplastic material. There are electrically operated heating elements sandwiched between two protective surfaces of non-slip rubber, making them as durable as automobile tires and allowing them to endure harsh wear. The mats are durable, safe and effective. 

LOCATION: WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO USE HEATED FLOOR MATS? 

One of the best features of heated snow removal mats is that they are portable and can be placed as needed around private residences and commercial properties to optimize snow removal. Where you set up your heated snow removal mat is up to you, all that’s needed is access to an electrical outlet. We recommend taking into account snow exposure and foot traffic when setting up your mats. Common areas where heated mats are especially effective are: parking lots, driveways, front doors, walkways, stairways, wheelchair ramps, loading docks or anywhere else that receives foot or wheelchair traffic. Remember that not only do you get effective snow and ice removal with heated mats, but you get a durable rubber surface that provides additional tread for added stability on slippery surfaces.

SPECIALIZATION: DOES “ONE-SIZE-FIT-ALL” OR ARE THERE SPECIFIC MATS FOR EACH AREA?

We offer residential mats in two sizes. First, is the walkway mat which is a convenient 20" x 60" and can be daisy-chained together for a longer walkway or sidewalk. Second, we offer a stair mat which has been sized at 10" x 30" to fit the average stair dimensions. Our industrial mats come in a variety of lengths and widths and can be made in custom sizes, although it should be noted they cannot be daisy-chained together to change the size. 

CAN I DRIVE ON MY HEATED FLOOR MAT? 

Short answer is yes and no. Our industrial mats can be driven on. However, at this time you cannot drive on our residential heated mats. We suggest you set up your residential mats in walkways leading to or from your carport or garage. You can daisy-chain the mats together to create efficient walkways where you need them most! Remember that mats protect the surface of your driveway as well as add tread when coming in and out of your car. We encourage you to be creative when creating walkways to ensure easy access to the car without the need to cover the entire surface area of your driveway. 

EASE AND EFFICIENCY: CAN HEATED MATS BE AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED? 

All our heated mats can be used with automation controllers. At Canada Mats, we sell two types of automatic controllers that can turn your mat on and off. The first is a thermostat controller that plugs directly into the outlet and powers the outlet whenever the temperature drops below 38*F. Once energized, the controller will stay on until the temperature rises above 50* F. The second is a professionally hardwired snow sensing controller that turns the mat on whenever it senses moisture AND the temperature is below 38* F. In our opinion, the best option is still to manually turn the mats on or off by having an electrician wire the outlet to a switch inside your home, or leave them on all season long (depending on your budget). 

WATER & ELECTRICITY SAFETY - IS ELECTRICITY SAFE AROUND ALL THAT SNOW AND RUNNING WATER?

Technology has also enabled Canada Mats to ensure that the highest electrical safety standards are upheld. You won’t have to worry about water seeping into the electronics and causing short circuits in the mats. We have successfully made more than 40,000 snow melting mats, so we know a thing or two about safety. In fact, we make sure that mats and extension cords are watertight, durable and made from the highest quality products to eliminate any risk water poses to the electric components. In addition, all our mats come with a built-in GFCI protector as an extra layer of protection. We also offer a two-year warranty on all mat purchases in case any repairs or replacements are needed.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: HOW LONG DO HEATED FLOOR MATS LAST? 

One of the advantages to using heated floor mats for snow removal is that you can use them for multiple seasons. Unlike equipment such as shovels that break after a season of chipping ice, or chemicals which must be replenished each storm, heated mats last years. Snow melting heated floor mats have an average lifespan of four to five years. This depends on the amount of foot traffic received as well as following our recommendations for best usage. However, in the worst case scenario we are proud to offer an exceptional warranty on all mats that will ensure your mats are protected for the first two years. Hope these have answered any questions or doubts you have had about purchasing heated mats!