Are you tired of shoveling? Or even tired of that snowblower? We have a solution for you, and no, it’s not hiring the neighbor kid. Install a permanent outdoor electric radiant heating system from Warm Your Floor.
Heat your entire walkway or just a few stairs, and make the outdoors safer for you, your family and/or your customers.
You can even add a sensor and thermostat to automate your system, staying snow-free at your home or business. The snow and ice disappear, even when you’re not there to turn the system on.
What types of surfaces are compatible with outdoor snow melting?
Permanent outdoor snow melting solutions are suitable underneath pavers, bricks, tile and stone. Plus, the system can be embedded in concrete or asphalt.
Note: These systems cannot be installed underneath wood or composite surfaces.
Snow Melting Mats vs. Snow Melting Cables
There are two permanent methods for heating walkways and driveways, and the best solution depends on the type of surface and the application. We recommend working with your contractor to plan the layout. This will help you determine if heating cable or permanent mats are best. To give you some insight before talking to your contractor, here are some differences:
- Snow Melting Mats
- Available in lengths from 5 to 56 feet and in 2- and 3-feet widths.
- Mats are quick and easy to install under asphalt, sand and concrete.
- Optimal spacing of the heating wire is already built in.
- Just roll out, affix to the rebar and pour.
- Snow Melting Cables
- Best for custom fit and optimal spacing.
- Most versatile and lowest cost option for snow melting installation any size or shape.
- Loose cable is sold in lengths that will melt snow on surface areas between 8 and 115 square feet.
- Attach the cable to masonry or asphalt, and then cover with your desired surface.
Note: Mats and heating cable cannot be cut.
What will I need to install a heated walkway?
As mentioned above, permanent snow melting installations in a new walkway will require some planning with your contractor to design the system and determine where and how to best heat the surface. Once you’ve chosen the right layout and ordered cable and/or permanent mats to fit your project, plan the install for when temps are at least 40°F.
The system’s included power lead requires ground fault protection. For best snow melting performance, add an optional control with an automatic sensor, and the system will activate automatically at the first sign of snowfall, even while you’re away.
Both permanent mats and cables are available in 120- or 240-volt systems and come in either 38- or 50-watt options. But more power equals more efficient snow melting, so for best results, we recommend 50 watts. If your application requires it, 208- and 277-volt options can be made to order.
Whether you’re heating just a few stairs, an entire walkway or anything in between, Warm Your Floor has a solution to save you from salting or shoveling this winter – and for years to come. Plus, you’ll protect your landscaping from harsh de-icing chemicals and help keep asphalt and pavers pristine from snowplow damage.
Call us today for a fast and free consultation with a Warm Your Floor expert and get started on a safer winter tomorrow.
Tom Beall says:
My patio floor is part of my basement’s roof. The patio floor is wood framing with fiberglass and waterproof paint. Snow piles up and eventually causes leaks into my basement. Any suggestions to keep the snow off? I see above that your mats and cables cannot be used with wood or composites.
matthew@warmyourfloor.com says:
Hi Tom,
You are correct, our snow/ice melting products do not work with composite materials as the heating element needs to be encased in concrete or asphalt.
Unfortunately, we do not carry any products I could recommend for your application.
You’ll want to look for a snow melting system you could use above or below composite materials.
Steve Marcinko says:
I have a 125 sq. ft. porch in a condo in Breckenridge that I would like to heat for snow melting. I would prefer to cover the porch with tile and a heated mat underneath. Do you have a product that will meet these design requirements?
Marye Lee says:
Hi Steve,
Definitely! We carry ProMelt Mat systems that are perfect for outdoor patio use. You can find these mats HERE. I would recommend that you use our free quoting tool to get a quote for exactly what you need with your layout and specifications. Here is the link to that: https://www.warmyourfloor.com/quote-request
Feel free to give us a call at 866-558-3369 if you have any further questions. Thanks, Steve!
Warm Regards,
Warm Your Floor Team
Kit Hannigan says:
Wow, it sure is interesting to know that snow melting mats will be able to easily fit under asphalt and concrete walkways. If I were to own a grocery store, then I will definitely want my customers to be as safe as can be when they visit my store. It certainly looks like investing in these types of heated mats on our pavement will help us achieve that.