Snow Melting for Pavers & Stone
Paver and stone surfaces add beautiful curb appeal to your property, but they can become dangerously slippery when covered in snow and ice. WarmlyYours snow melting systems are specifically designed to install beneath pavers, natural stone, and brick surfaces.
Our electric heating cables embed in sand or mortar beneath your paver surface, providing efficient snow and ice melting without affecting the aesthetic of your outdoor spaces. Whether you're installing a new paver driveway, patio, or walkway, adding a snow melting system ensures year-round safety and convenience.
Unlike concrete installations, paver and stone surfaces require specific installation techniques—using sand or mortar beds—to protect both the heating elements and your beautiful surface materials.
Why Install Snow Melting Under Pavers?
What is Snow Melting?
Have you ever seen snow fall on an already warm car? It melts instantly. This is the essential idea behind snow melting systems—a heating element is embedded beneath your paver driveway, patio, or walkway and it melts the snow that falls on it.
For paver and stone installations, WarmlyYours snow melting cables are laid in a sand or mortar bed beneath the pavers. The cables heat the bed material, which in turn heats the pavers above, melting any snow or ice on contact.
This approach is particularly effective for paver surfaces because it protects both the heating system and your investment in beautiful natural stone, brick, or concrete pavers.
Learn More About Snow MeltingFree SmartPlan
Get a custom installation plan for your paver driveway in just 1 business day.
"I'll design a custom snow melting layout for your project, complete with cable spacing, electrical requirements, and a full quote."
When to Install Snow Melting Under Pavers
Because the snow melting system is embedded beneath the surface, the best time to install is when pavers or stone are being laid for the first time, or during a complete re-do of the surface.
These projects are typically undertaken from late spring to late fall when ground temperatures are above freezing.
WarmlyYours snow melting cables work with all types of paver and stone surfaces, including:
- Concrete pavers (interlocking, permeable, standard)
- Natural stone (flagstone, bluestone, slate)
- Brick pavers
- Cobblestone
- Travertine and marble pavers
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Installing Snow Melting Under Pavers & Stone
Installing snow melting cables beneath pavers requires careful attention to depth and spacing. The heating cables must be embedded in a sand or mortar bed that separates them from direct contact with the pavers.
The key requirements for paver installations:
- At least 1" (25mm) of mortar or 1.5" (38mm) of sand/limestone screenings covering the cables
- Brick and stone pavers no thicker than 2.5" (63.5mm)
- 3" spacing between cable runs for optimal heat distribution
Step 1. Prepare the Base Layer
Unlike concrete installations, paver projects require a compacted gravel or sand base before installing the heating cables. This base should be level and properly graded for drainage.
For paver installations, you'll need a rigid framework (wire mesh or rebar) secured to the base layer.
Tip: Avoid using metal mesh with sharp edges that could damage the cable insulation.
Step 2. Layout the Snow Melting Cables
Maintaining proper 3" spacing between cable runs is critical for optimal performance. Too close and the system can overheat; too far apart and you won't get complete coverage.
Attach the heating cables to the wire mesh framework using zip-ties. Reference your WarmlyYours SmartPlan for accurate placement.
We recommend snow melting cables over mats for flexibility with irregular paver patterns.
Step 3. Cover with Sand or Mortar Bed
The heating cables must be completely covered before the pavers are placed to prevent any direct contact.
Mortar beds: 1" to 1.5" (25-38mm) over the heating elements.
Sand/screenings: 1.5" (38mm) uncompacted depth, leveled to grade.
Step 4. Install the Pavers
With the cables properly covered, pavers can now be carefully installed. Important: Avoid dropping pavers into place—the impact could damage the heating elements beneath.
Pavers must NOT be thicker than 2.5" (63.5mm) to ensure adequate heat transfer.
For interlocking pavers, sweep polymeric sand into the joints as you normally would.
Step 5. Ensure the Splice is Embedded
The power is carried to each cable by a "cold lead," connected via a manufacturer's splice.
One of the most common installation mistakes is leaving this splice outside of the sand or mortar bed. The splice is half heating element—if left exposed, it can overheat and fail.
Always ensure the splice is embedded in sand, mortar, or stone dust.
The Finished Surface
Once your pavers are installed and the system is connected, you're ready for winter. Just add snow!
Monitor your system during the first few snowfalls to ensure everything is operating correctly. With proper installation, your heated paver surface will provide decades of reliable, maintenance-free snow melting.
Controls for Paver Snow Melting
WarmlyYours offers a wide variety of controls for snow melting systems—from manual options to fully automatic controls that activate when snow is detected.
Important for paver installations: Slab sensors (embedded temperature/moisture sensors) are NOT recommended for use with pavers. Instead, we recommend aerial sensors that detect precipitation and temperature from above ground.
For more information about snow melt controls and sensors, check out this comparison chart.
Shop ControlsRecommended Product for Paver & Stone Installations
Snow melting cables are the preferred choice for paver installations due to their flexibility in routing around irregular shapes and edges.
Maximum Flexibility at a Minimal Cost
WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cables offer a high heat output solution to keep your driveway, walkway, or patio snow-free. Embeddable in concrete, asphalt, or under pavers, these cables provide a flexible and cost-effective alternative to mats. Choose from a variety of voltages and lengths to suit your outdoor heating needs, ensuring safe, dry surfaces all winter long. Benefit from our 10-year warranty and 24/7 customer support for peace of mind.
- High Heat Output: This embeddable electric heating cable provides 12-watts of heat per linear foot (nearly 50-watts per sq. ft.)
- Embeddable in Concrete, Asphalt, or in Mortar Under Pavers: Installing a cable-based snow melting system within a new driveway, walkway, or patio means you can enjoy snow/ice free outdoor surfaces all year
- Cost-Effective and Flexible: Snow melting cables are an less expensive (but more time consuming) alternative to snow melting mats and they provide maximum flexibility to cover round driveways, cornered patios, or outdoor stairs
- Wide Variety of Voltages: We offer snow melting cables in 120, 208, 240, and 277 voltages and in a range of different lengths
- Installation Support: WarmlyYours offers free SmartPlan™ installation plans, 24/7 phone support, and a 10-year limited warranty