I've installed heated roof cables on a few homes, and honestly, results were pretty mixed. When they're set up right, they do keep ice dams from forming along the edges, which can save you from leaks or gutter damage. But here's the catch—they're not exactly energy-efficient. I've had customers tell me their electric bills jumped noticeably when the cables were running frequently during colder months.
My take? If you're dealing with major ice dam issues every winter and snow guards alone aren't cutting it, heated cables might be worth trying as a secondary measure. But they need to be installed correctly—zig-zagging along the eaves and into gutters—to really work well. I wouldn't rely on them as your only solution, though. Proper attic insulation and ventilation usually address the root cause of ice dams better than cables ever could. A balanced approach tends to work best in my experience...
"Proper attic insulation and ventilation usually address the root cause of ice dams better than cables ever could."
This is spot-on advice. I've seen similar results on roofs where heated cables were installed—sure, they help manage ice dams temporarily, but they don't really fix the underlying issue. On a recent project, we had a homeowner who insisted on heated cables because they'd had serious leaks the previous winter. We did as requested, zig-zagging along the eaves and gutters, but also recommended upgrading their attic insulation and ensuring proper ventilation. After doing both, they reported a significant improvement—not just fewer ice dams, but lower heating bills overall.
I'm curious though... has anyone here noticed a difference in ice dam formation between asphalt shingles and metal roofing? I've heard metal roofs shed snow faster, which might reduce ice damming naturally, but haven't had enough experience yet to confirm that myself.
I've actually seen metal roofs still get ice dams, especially if the attic insulation or ventilation isn't up to par. Yeah, snow slides off quicker, but sometimes that quick melt-and-freeze cycle can create stubborn ice buildup along the edges. Had a neighbor switch to metal thinking it'd solve everything, but he ended up needing to add insulation anyway. Metal helps, sure...but it's not a guaranteed fix on its own.
"Metal helps, sure...but it's not a guaranteed fix on its own."
Yeah, totally agree with this. People often jump to metal roofs thinking they're some kind of miracle solution, but the attic insulation and ventilation are so critical. I've seen homes with metal roofs still struggle because the underlying issues weren't addressed—poor airflow can cause condensation underneath the metal panels too, leading to moisture problems down the road. It's really about looking at your whole roofing system, not just the surface material.
Yeah, I've seen this happen firsthand. A neighbor of mine switched to metal roofing thinking it'd solve all their leak issues. But after a heavy storm, they still had water seeping in—turned out the attic ventilation was practically nonexistent. Once they sorted out proper airflow and insulation, things improved dramatically. Metal's great, but it's definitely not a magic bullet if the basics aren't covered first...
