TERMOFOL TF-OHMAT
driveway heating mat

The desire to improve the safety of residents led to the spread of the idea of underfloor heating also to outdoor areas. An electric heating mat for outdoor stairs helps remove ice from critical places on the property where there is the greatest risk of falling. Heating mats for stairs or driveways are perfect for the Polish climate. Frequent temperature crossings cause alternating thawing and freezing of the accumulated water, creating an ice coating that is difficult to notice.

Heating systems for outdoor stairs consist of efficient mats installed under the screed and connected to a thermostat. The devices included in the anti-icing system operate automatically. They obtain data from sensors and adjust operating parameters to outdoor conditions. Heating outdoor stairs is an effective method to improve the comfort and safety of owners of single-family houses or company buildings.

In the Terfol store you will find outdoor heating mats for universal purposes. These types of products are perfect for anti-icing protection on outdoor stairs. An outdoor heating mat also ensures safety on sidewalks and driveways. It is particularly useful for garage entrances with various degrees of inclination. There is nothing stopping the external heating mat from being placed on the roof. The use of external heating mats on roofs reduces the load on the structure resulting from snow.

Heated external stairs and access roads to the garage use specialized external heating mats placed under the surface of the concrete screed or under the paving stones themselves. The outdoor heating mat operates at 230V or 400V, depending on the size of the area and energy demand. Heating the driveway turns out to be much more demanding than anti-icing protection on the stairs. The principle of operation of outdoor heating mats remains the same in both cases. The heating cables heat up under the control of a thermostat and then transfer the generated heat to the surface.

Thanks to heated stairs and driveways, the property owner receives full protection against snow and ice formation. The maintenance-free operation of the outdoor heating mat makes it a device that guarantees above-average comfort for the user. It is worth planning outdoor heating mats when developing the design of a new building. It is, of course, possible to install heated stairs and driveways at a later stage, but this always requires removing the top layer of the surface.

heating mat for external stairs involves costs related to the purchase of components, installation, and electricity consumption throughout the entire life cycle of the installation. The installation of cabling placed in the grid should be entrusted to an electrician with SEP qualifications. The cost of purchasing an efficient thermostat ranges from PLN 1,000 to PLN 2,000. In addition, temperature and humidity sensors should be added, helping to automate the heating process in relation to current weather conditions. We also need to purchase external heating mats. Based on statistical data, it can be concluded that the total price of the installation including heating of paving stones and stairs is between PLN 200-400 per square meter.

Please note that heating the garage driveway does not operate continuously. The regulator immediately turns off the heating function when the expected result is achieved on the surface (this information is transmitted by sensors). Therefore, the cost of operation throughout the entire winter season looks quite attractive. The amount of PLN 300-400 (annual) for energy should be sufficient to provide protection against icing for a standard single-family house. Compared to the potential financial consequences of damage to health and property for people who do not have such an installation, the amount given here is symbolic.

There are two basic types of outdoor heating mats powering heated stairs – constant resistance and self-regulating. In the constant resistance version, there is a constant distribution of heating power regardless of the location. Constant resistance heating mats for driveways and stairs are much cheaper than their self-regulating counterparts. However, the low purchase price translates into increased operating costs due to local energy losses. Stairs and driveways do not freeze evenly. It may quickly turn out that in one place the phenomenon of freezing did not occur at all, and just a few meters away the driveway is covered with a layer of ice of several millimeters, requiring increased heating power to melt.

The self-regulating heating mat for outdoor stairs analyzes the parameters of humidity and ambient temperature, and then determines different heating power in individual sections of the installation. Self-regulating outdoor heating mats thus ensure a favorable energy balance and reduce electricity losses in places that do not require maximum heating power.

Methods of laying heating mats on driveways balance between maximizing comfort and reducing operating costs. The driveway can be heated on the entire paved surface of the access road, or only in the places where the tires meet the surface. The latter solution allows you to generate significant savings on materials and subsequent energy bills. Please remember to properly prepare the area before laying the outdoor heating mat. The basis for the effective operation of the system is the leveling of any unevenness and the removal of sharp elements that often protrude from the soil.

Unlike loose heating cables, the external heating mat can be placed directly under the paving stones. We recommend installing a heating system on the entire surface of the driveway in the case of access roads whose width allows for turning or turning maneuvers. An ice-free surface will provide the expected safety for people and equipment.

It is best to plan the installation of heating for an access road on a private property when designing the initial architectural assumptions. Investors need to decide on the type of cabling, as we mentioned in one of the previous questions. The first stage in selecting the right product will be the selection of the power of the external heating mat per each square meter of surface. For most applications, the optimal power value expressed in Watts is 300 W/m2.

Remember that the power of the garage driveway heating installation should depend on the weather conditions in a given region. Heating mats for driveways available in the Terfol store are available in various sizes, so you can easily find a solution that suits your individual needs.

Systems enabling effective heating of external stairs integrate controllers and sensors. These two components of the installation are responsible for controlling the operation of the heating device in relation to current weather conditions. Therefore, the installation control is maintenance-free. Of course, the user can verify the system’s operating parameters. Monitoring is done via a dedicated controller. The manufacturer Terfol provides complete systems for heating paving stones and external stairs. Our products provide complete freedom in setting the temperature and humidity limits below which driveway heating mats are activated.

The TF-OHMAT mat, which is a key element of an intelligent anti-icing system, is perfect for heating driveways on your property. The TF-OHMAT outdoor heating mat allows installation directly under a concrete screed or paving stones. The heating cable is an original design of Terfol, equipped with a durable outer coating. Its tasks focus on protecting electrical connections against accidental damage.

When installing the driveway heating system, ensure unobstructed drainage of snow water. In some cases, it is worth considering building a linear drain with a heating function. For access roads not exceeding 3 meters wide, it is sufficient to slope the driveway surface towards the outside to drain water onto the lawn.

The Terfol store offers you access to outdoor heating mats in a full range of sizes. We offer outdoor heating mats in sections ranging from 2 meters to 32 meters in length. Termofol mats allow you to adjust the shape by cutting the mounting mesh (never cut heating cables!). The TF-OHMAT outdoor heating mat is a product adapted to the most difficult working conditions, guaranteeing long-term suitability for use.

heating mat for external stairs or a garage driveway not only saves time wasted on snow removal. The most important benefits focus on improving safety – getting up in the morning to work in winter no longer has to involve balancing on the verge of a fall, which could prove disastrous for the elderly, disabled people and children. Heated stairs do not involve increased energy costs. Termofol has prepared outdoor heating mats with excellent energy-saving parameters. We encourage you to contact Termofol experts. Together we will find the best solution that perfectly fits the conditions of a given property.