Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Bylin “Roof Ice Melt” system.
Please look over the following information to familiarize you with the Bylin “roof ice melt” system.
You may have seen this product featured on Good Morning America this winter or mentioned in a Wall Street journal article depicting solutions for ice dams.You can visit www.seamlessgutter.com/bylinnewsarticles for links.
The Bylin system is a unique and patented system, developed in 1993 at Bylin Engineered Systems. Its purpose is to solve the problems created by ice build up (ice dams) on the edges of roofs (eaves) and in the valleys of roofs covered with snow. As the ice builds up, it creates a wall of ice on the edge of the roof or in the valleys and forms a “dam” that traps water behind it. As the height of the ice increases with each days “melt and freeze,” the amount of water behind the dam gets deeper and ponds farther up the roof until it finds its way into the interior living area. That’s when people usually notice they have a problem!
Over 100 miles of Bylin Roof Ice Melt (RIM) panels have been installed since its’ introduction in 1993, in over 3500 installations. From high elevation ski resorts in some of the harshest mountain conditions, to northern city metropolitan areas, it is helping to eliminate icing problems from coast to coast! Bylin was introduced to the New England market, about 5 years ago and since then, hundreds of systems have been installed around the area.
The Bylin System
The Bylin system consists of a patented, electrically heated eave panel for the edge of your roof (see cut away above) and heated valley panels (if needed) for valley areas. This helps prevent ice and icicles from forming on the edge of your roof to begin with, which is what causes water to back up into your home or building. The extended, heated drip edge, is a key part of the Bylin system. It helps keep the water, dripping from our heated eave panels away from the fascia board where it would form icicles.
Valley panels are usually installed about 75% of the length up a valley to keep an open continuous drip path down a valley, preventing water pooling up in the valley.
The cables used inside the system, are an industrial grade, safe, self regulating, fully insulated, UV protected heating cable, designed specifically for this purpose and is both UL and CSA listed.
Automatic control is accomplished by provided thermostats and more elaborate control systems are available for larger systems.
Bylin roof ice melt systems can be retrofitted over an existing shingled roof or in place of the first course on a new shingled roof. The system is also used with both new and existing metal, standing seam, slate tile and a variety of other roof types.
Two basic roof ice melt systems are available: The original RIM system, which is used in areas where more than 100 inches of annual snowfall is expected and accumulations of more than 15 inches at one time is normal. The RIM-2 system is used in areas where less than 100 inches annually are expected and accumulations of 6-15 inches at a time are normal.
The RIM system aluminum cover eave panel cost is about $110.00 per foot and valley panel is $80.00 per foot for an installed system. Controls and electrical work are additional. Accessibility, elevation, gutters etc can increase the cost.
The RIM-2 system materials cost is about $65.00 per foot for aluminum cover eave panels and $50.00 for valley panels. This is for an installed system. Controls and electrical work are additional. Accessibility, elevation, gutters etc can increase the cost. NOTE: In Massachusetts, we generally use a RIM 2 system.
These figures vary depending on the configuration of your building, valleys, gutters, controls, elevation etc.
Aluminum panel covers are supplied with a Kynar paint finish and are available in 35 standard colors, to closely match you roof. The aluminum version is used on most installations.
Copper panel covers in a natural finish are available for a somewhat higher price. These are used on roofs with copper gutters, flashing etc.
If your home or building has gutters where the RIM or RIM-2 system will be installed, the gutters and downspouts will also have to be traced with the same heater cable used in your system. It is usually just a continuation of the cable used in the panels.
Gutter and downspout cable for the RIM and RIM-2 system are additional and must be installed if the treated eaves and valleys feed into them. This is part of the overall installation.
If you don’t have gutters, and the roof drips to an area of vegetation, that’s fine. Where it will drip to a driveway, walkway or other area that would be hazardous with ice, it is recommended that a gutter and downspout be added during installation to divert water away and they are also heat traced as part of the system.
Thermostatic controls range from $295 to $595.
The system power is supplied through a 30ma GFCI (ground fault protected) circuit breaker for each circuit, which we usually supply, along with a sub panel if needed. Cost varies based on voltage and amperage and number of circuits.
I hope this answers some of your basic questions about the Bylin roof ice melt system.
We look forward to working for you to design the system that fits your needs.
To discuss in greater detail, please email us some pictures and measurements if you’d like a rough general quote or contact us to set up your consultation.