Heated Driveway

Many home improvement projects have several functions and/or improve the curb appeal or décor of your home along with their design function. Heated driveways, though, have essentially a single advantage. You guessed it—snow removal. This solitary quality is no small matter for some homeowners. If you live in the northern United States, you may spend countless hours each winter shoveling your driveway. Just hearing the words "Nor-Easter" or "Lake Effect Snow" can make many Americans cringe.

Even if you don't live in a region that gets hit with heavy snow year in and year out, if your joints are starting to creak or you have limited mobility and no neighborhood kids who like to earn a little extra cash, installing a heated driveway can allow you to endure the winter with a cup of hot cocoa and safe passage to and from your home.

How Heated Driveways Work
Heated driveways are actually radiant floor systems, which can be installed both indoors and out. For outdoor use, radiant floor systems are quite beneficial to those who live in snowy climates, as they function as a snow-melting system, virtually eliminating the need for physical snow removal. When temperatures drop, heated water and antifreeze are pumped into the tubing, melting any snow that collects on your driveway.

If you want a heated driveway, you don't need to install a whole new driveway because sometimes the tubing can be run under your current one. Although, the majority of the time the driveway needs to be ripped up and replaced because the installation process often leaves the driveway in shambles. Many factors influence whether you need to have the driveway replaced including time of year, soil compaction, trees in proximity, etc. Replacing the driveway ensures the job has been done correctly.

Heated Driveway Costs
Typically, the cost of a heated driveway system is between $12-21 per sq. foot. However, this price does not include the removal of the old driveway or the cost of the new one. Unfortunately, to replace a driveway can wiggle the cost beyond what is within your budget. But before you cancel the project, do some research in your yard and around your driveway to figure out if the contractors can get in there. In any case, if you're installing a new driveway or replacing a driveway that has fallen into disrepair, supplementing the installation with radiant flooring can be a great idea.

More Options with Heated Driveways
Heating systems can be installed under almost any driveway surface, including concrete, brick, and stone. If you have sidewalks, you can install this same heating system under there, too, so you never have to worry about shoveling. It's best to have your boiler placed as near as you can to the driveway. Most systems will have a mechanism that will cause snow fall to activate the system. Even when you're on vacation or away from your home, your driveway will stay clear for your return.