Acutech Works with Glacier Guard Innovations to Develop a New Energy Efficient Panel System for Ice Dam Prevention

Ice dams are a familiar sight to anyone who has ever lived in a snowy climate. These thick bands of ice and icicles that form along the eaves of snow-covered houses and buildings cause millions of dollars of structural damage every year. Rotted roofs and rafters, water-stained ceilings, sagging gutters, peeling paint, mold and ruined insulation are just a few of the familiar unwelcome results of ice dams. In addition, ice dams pose a risk of severe injury from falling icicles.

Ice dams form when the upper part of the roof is warm enough to melt snow and the eaves are cold enough to freeze the runoff into icicles. Ice dams are the costly end result of energy loss from inside a house or building. What typically causes a roof to be warm is air from inside the house or building seeping into the attic and heating it up. When water from melting snow gets to the cold spot where the eaves begin, it re-freezes and creates a dam, and then a pool of water accumulates behind it. 

Matt Folkman, CEO of Glacier Guard Innovations in Bigfork, Montana has teamed with Dean Grommet and Josh Boyce, co-owners of Acutech in Columbia Falls, Montana to develop a new energy efficient cost-effective snow melt panel system that removes 100% of the snow and ice from the covered section of the eve using less energy than traditional inefficient heat cables. This system is now field proven and on the market.

Matt had previously spent over 20 years as a contractor in the residential and commercial construction industry which included discovering ways to help his clients alleviate their ice damage issues. As he incorporated these systems into his construction projects, he realized that he had a talent for effectively solving ice damming issues and decided to make it his full time profession.

Acutech’s Dean Grommet, having substantial experience in designing and manufacturing extruded aluminum skylight, greenhouse, and solarium products, applied the same principals of systems development to the snow melt system.

Acutech assisted Matt from initial concept through completion with the engineering and development of the extruded aluminum panel system. Acutech developed the aluminum extruded die CAD drawings, manufactured the initial prototype, and managed the material source as well as the extrusion process for the material. Acutech is the exclusive vendor to Glacier Guard Innovations for the manufacture of the Glacier Guard Panel System.

The Glacier Guard Panel System is the most energy efficient encased deicing panel system available. It is guaranteed to remove 100% of all snow and ice form the panel surface and carries a lifetime guarantee. The durable powder-coated panels are available in a broad selection of colors to match existing shingles. Custom metal cladding will match any metal roof or drip edge. Glacier Guard Innovations also offers color matching to ensure that the customer receives a finished look that is just right for their needs.

Matt Folkman, CEO of Glacier Guard Innovations stated "Glacier Guard Innovations is proud to offer the best in roof ice melting and protection for residential and commercial applications. Our concept became reality with the help and expertise of the designers and machinists at Acutech. Their attention to detail enabled us to develop a product that worked as planned the very first time."

Glacier Guard Innovations offers installation and service of its Glacier Guard Panel Systems throughout the USA. For more information about Glacier Guard Innovations and the Glacier Guard Panel System, visit their website at www.glacier-guard.com or call their office at (406) 640-4382.

To learn more about our product development and manufacturing capabilities, visit our website at www.acutechworks.com or call us at (406) 892-4030.