Best Heated Driveway. Now we’ve explored the types of heated driveway, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market.
1. Electric Driveway Snow Melting Mats
The mats are designed for easy retrofitting onto existing driveway surfaces, including asphalt and concrete.
The installation process is straightforward—simply lay the mats evenly beneath the surface material and connect them to a power source and control system.
Once activated, these mats provide consistent and reliable snow melting, eliminating the need for manual snow removal or costly snow removal services.
Preventing snow and ice accumulation contributes to a safer environment for both pedestrians and vehicles while protecting your driveway from damage caused by freezing and thawing cycles.
Best for: Homeowners looking for a hassle-free snow and ice removal solution that’s easy to install.
Pros:
Quick and straightforward installation.
Prevents accidents and driveway damage.
Reduces the need for snow removal services.
Cost-effective snow melting.
Cons:
Limited customization.
Higher upfront cost compared to some other options.
Pricing: Prices for our electric mats will vary depending on the size of your driveway but start from $12 per square foot.
Reasoning: Offers easy installation, efficient snow melting, and is suitable for various surfaces whilst being one of the cheapest options available. Excellent value and performance.
2. Electric Cable Heated Driveway System
An Electric Heated Driveway System offers a versatile, highly efficient solution for homeowners wanting to keep their driveways clear of snow and ice.
With super speedy and impressive heat up times, users of this system will also benefit from individual zone control, allowing specific areas to be targeted for heating.
We provide a straightforward, no frills installation process, with this system being suited to driveways of various size and layout.
Additionally, these systems are designed with safety in mind, featuring built-in sensors to prevent overheating and potential damage.
They provide reliable and consistent snow melting, ensuring that your driveway remains accessible and safe during winter months.
Best for: Homeowners seeking efficient and reliable snow melting with individual zone control.
Pros:
Easy installation.
Zone control for targeted heating.
Low maintenance.
Consistent snow melting.
Cons:
Operational costs may vary.
Not always as cost-effective for very large driveways.
Pricing: Pricing for our electric cable systems typically range from $480.
Reasoning: Highly efficient, comes with zone control, excellent snow melting and ice build up prevention and will last for years with little to no maintenance.
3. Thermo Soft Electric Cables
Thermo Soft’s NeverFreeze snow melting cable is a robust and reliable solution for homeowners who require consistent snow melting, especially in high-traffic areas.
This system is engineered for installation in concrete, asphalt, or beneath pavers, making it suitable for various outdoor applications.
Designed for both residential and commercial use, the system features a single cold lead wire for easy hookup.
Thermo Soft’s proven controls and outdoor-rated ground sensors ensure efficient snow melting, preventing slippery and hazardous conditions on walkways and steps.
With this system, you can enjoy peace of mind during winter, knowing that snow removal is taken care of.
Best for: High-traffic areas that require consistent snow melting.
Pros:
Suitable for various surfaces.
Residential and commercial applications.
Easy installation with a single cold lead wire.
Proven controls and ground sensors.
Cons:
Limited to specific outdoor applications.
Requires a dedicated electrical connection.
Pricing: Pricing for Thermo Soft Electric Cables depends on the installation requirements but typically ranges from $11 to $15 per square foot.
Reasoning: Excellent for high-traffic areas and various surfaces, but limited to specific applications and requires a dedicated electrical connection.
4. Ampex Insulated PEX Panel
Offering a high performance hydronic, radiant heating solution, the Ampex Insulated PEX Panel system is specifically designed for outdoor snow melting on driveways and walkways.
Compatible only with concrete surfacing, it provides exceptional durability whilst eliminating slippery ice conditions.
The insulation within the panels limits downward heat flow, optimizing energy efficiency.
Ampex’s innovative panel design ensures that the tubing is fully encased in concrete, promoting faster heat transfer and reducing the response time of the system, resulting in a driveway that remains snow-free and safe throughout the winter.
Winter maintenance becomes practically effortless, enhancing comfort and convenience for homeowners.
Best for: Homeowners with concrete driveways.
Pros:
Efficient energy use with insulation.
Durable and safe solution.
Innovative panel design for even heating.
Tubing firmly encased in concrete.
Cons:
Initial setup can be costly.
Regular maintenance required.
Specific to concrete driveways.
Pricing: Pricing for Ampex Insulated PEX Panel systems ranges from around $18 to $30 per square foot.
Reasoning: Energy-efficient with an innovative design, but the price is on the high side compared to similar products and this can only be used with concrete driveways.
5. Above Ground Melting Mats
Our above ground Melting Mats offer a convenient and portable solution for snow and ice removal, making them suitable for both residential and commercial properties.
These mats are designed to be placed on top of existing driveway surfaces, providing an alternative to traditional in-ground systems.
Simply plug these mats into an outdoor outlet and watch as much as 2 inches of snow every hour just melt away, minimizing freeze-thaw cycles and reducing the use of deicing chemicals
These mats can help to extend the lifespan of your exterior surfaces but also ensure hassle-free snow removal.
Whether you need to keep your stairs, landings, entries, driveways, or ramps clear of snow and ice, these mats offer a practical and cost-effective solution.
Best for: Homeowners wanting a convenient and portable snow melting solution.
Pros:
Plug-and-play design.
Minimizes freeze-thaw cycles and chemical use.
Durable and reusable.
Suitable for various outdoor areas.
Cons:
May not provide as uniform heating as in-ground systems.
Limited to a certain depth of snow melting.
Requires an outdoor outlet.
Pricing: Prices start from $79.99 for a 10”x 30” stair mat.
6. Alco Electric Heating Mats
Another choice designed to be laid straight down onto the driveway, these Alco Electric Heating Mats are a premium choice that offer hassle-free solutions to maintaining a snow free driveway throughout the winter season.
With an easy, do-it-yourself installation process, these mats will eliminate the need for manual snow shoveling; simply plug into a standard 120v outlet and they’re ready to go.
Suitable for sloped and steep driveways, these mats will work to clear even the most hazardous of areas by efficiently melting the snow, evaporating the water, and leaving your driveway safe, accessible and snow free.
Best for: Homeowners looking for a do-it-yourself snow melting solution at a premium price point.
Pros:
Easy DIY installation.
Suitable for sloped and steep driveways.
Efficient snow melting.
Waterproof and weatherproof.
Cons:
Requires a standard 120V outlet.
May not be as energy-efficient as some other options.
More costly than other brands
Pricing: A 24”x 20” mat is $1920.
