Heated Driveway Vs Ice Melt

A heated driveway is the most effective way to keep your driveway clear of ice and snow, but it’s also the most expensive. On the other hand, using ice melt on your driveway is a great way to keep your concrete safe from ice and snow, but it has its downsides. 

In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of installing a heated driveway and using ice melt to ensure you’re keeping your home safe.

Best Ice Melt For Concrete

Heated Driveway Cost

Heated driveway costs can vary depending on the size of the driveway, the type of heating system, and the location. For example, a heated driveway in New York City will cost more than one in Minnesota.

In general, you can expect to pay between $6,000 and $7,000 for a heated driveway. 

On top of this price tag are installation labor and utility fees if electricity or natural gas is used as fuel for heating your pavement. These extra costs could push up a total price closer to $10,000 for an entire project. 

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Advantages of a Heated Driveway

There are several advantages to a heated driveway over ice melt or de-icing salt.

• Heated driveways are more effective than ice melt and de-icing salts. You won’t have to worry about your car slipping when driving on a heated driveway because it will be clear of snow and ice. 
• If you’re concerned about the environment, a heated driveway is also better for the planet than de-icing salts or sand. 

Downsides of Installing a Heated Driveway

Heated driveway costs are high and they can be dangerous if not properly installed. They’re not practical for everyone and aren’t a replacement for ice melt.

If you’re considering installing a heated driveway, make sure you have the necessary electrical work done first. Heated driveways require circuits rated higher than your standard household circuit breaker. In addition, it’s important to hire a professional with experience installing heated driveways.

It’s also worth noting that heated driveways cannot be used as an alternative to other forms of ice melt. They will only prevent snow from sticking on your driveway—they won’t melt the existing layer of snow.

Conclusion

Installing a heated driveway is a lucrative way to eliminate the ice and snow on your driveway, but ice melt is much more affordable.

But you must ensure that the ice melt is chemical-free and does not contain chloride or other chemicals. For example, Road Runner ice melt contains Calcium Chloride pellet, Magnesium Chloride pellet and Sodium Chloride. That’s everything you must avoid.

Safe Paw is one such product. With its patented dual-effect compound, Safe Paw features a liquid component that melts ice instantly, while the traction agent provides slip protection, making the surface safe to walk on. Safe Paw also attracts heat, drawing the rays of the sun to stubborn ice patches to help melt them effectively. The non-corrosive formula is safe on cured concrete. With its concentrated formula, Safe Paw is extremely powerful. Use half of what you would use with typical salt melt for a safe driveway, sidewalk, or patio.

To conclude, it all comes down to your budget and needs as a homeowner. You can get even more tips and discover which solution is right for you by contacting one of our experts today.

Other Ice Melt Products

---