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Snow melt systems that clear the driveway before you’re up.

Heated driveways, walkways, steps and entries for homes and cottages across Simcoe County and Muskoka — designed as part of the hydronic system, not bolted on after.

Custom home in winter with a cedar deck

Why snow melt

A snow melt system runs warm glycol through PEX loops in the concrete or in the bedding under pavers. Sensors in the slab detect moisture and temperature, so the system idles until it is needed and shuts off when the surface is dry. No shovelling, no salt eating the concrete, no ice on the front steps.

It makes the most sense when the driveway is being poured or rebuilt anyway, on steep or shaded drives where plowing never keeps up, and on the steps and walkways where a fall actually matters.

What we install

Driveway & apron loops

PEX in concrete or under pavers, zoned so the whole drive doesn’t have to run for the front walk.

Steps & walkways

Tight loop spacing where ice forms first. Front steps, side entries, the path to the hot tub.

Dedicated or shared plant

Its own condensing boiler, or a zone off the house boiler through a heat exchanger with its own glycol loop.

Slab sensors & controls

In-slab snow and ice sensors with a controller that runs on demand, plus a manual override for a storm.

Glycol, pumps & fill

The right glycol mix for Muskoka winters, with pumps sized for the loop lengths and a proper fill station.

Idle & setback modes

Keeps the slab just warm enough to respond quickly without running all winter.

How we do it

Loop layout drawn from the site plan — drive, walks and steps zoned separately.
Loops pressure-tested and documented before the concrete or pavers go down.
Coordinated with the concrete contractor and the builder, so nothing gets poured over a surprise.
Commissioned in the fall and walked through with you before the first snow.

Where snow melt fits

Custom home in winter with a cedar deck
Custom homes & cottages
Designed into the mechanical package from the first drawing.
Cottage in the pines at dusk with the lights on
Steep or shaded driveways
Where the plow doesn’t keep up and the ice never leaves.
Red oxygen-barrier PEX radiant loops before the pour
Steps & entries
The small system that prevents the expensive fall.
What it typically costs, installed (2026)

Snow melt systems

Installed, per square foot$25 – $45
Two-car apron and front walk (400–600 sq ft)$15,000 – $30,000
Steps and entry pad alone$6,000 – $12,000

Includes tubing, glycol loop, controls and the boiler capacity to run it. Any rebate you qualify for is built into the written quote. See the full cost guide →

★★★★★

“Peter is truly one of the best out there! Reliable, knowledgeable, and offers fair pricing. We couldn’t recommend him more.”

— Rachael M., Google review

Questions we get asked

How does it know when to run?

A slab sensor detects moisture and freezing temperatures and starts the system automatically, so it idles most of the winter.

What does it cost to run?

It only runs during and after a snowfall. Operating cost depends on the area and fuel; we estimate it in the quote.

Can it be added to an existing driveway?

Only when the slab or pavers are being replaced. It is best planned with the build or the driveway project.

Does it work with my existing boiler?

Sometimes. We check capacity; often a dedicated or upsized boiler is required.

Steps and walkways only?

Yes. Entry pads and steps are a common smaller project and remove the ice-on-the-stairs problem.

Pouring a driveway this year? Plan the snow melt now.

The loops go in before the concrete. Send us the site plan and we’ll come back with a layout and a fixed price.