Heated Surfaces4 min read
Heated Patios: Electric vs. Hydronic Snow Melting
Both systems can keep patios, walkways, and driveways clear. The right choice depends on area, existing equipment, utility costs, and how you plan to use it.
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Design inspirationFire Features, Heating & Lighting
Longer Evenings. Longer Seasons.
Fire features, overhead comfort heating, and thoughtful lighting turn a patio into a place you want to be after dark—and well into October and beyond.
A natural gathering point
Fire draws people together and anchors a lounge area.
Comfort on cool nights
Infrared heat warms people directly, even when the air is cold.
Safer after dark
Steps, paths, and level changes are clearly visible.
Beautiful at night
Lighting reveals texture and architecture without glare.
Design inspirationOverview
Warmth and light, planned from the start.
The difference between a patio you use and one you admire from the kitchen window is often warmth and light. A fire table invites people to gather; infrared heaters take the chill off a covered seating area; good lighting makes the space feel safe, comfortable, and beautiful at night.
These features work best when they're designed with the patio, not added afterward. Gas lines, conduit, and mounting points are much easier to plan before surfaces and structures are finished.
Options
Options
Comfort heating keeps people warm. It's different from embedded snow melting, which keeps surfaces clear.
Gas fire pits
Built-in fire pits in stone, block, or concrete, fueled by natural gas or propane.
Fire tables
Linear or square fire tables that double as a gathering surface.
Wood-burning features
Where permitted and appropriate, with clearances planned carefully.
Infrared heaters
Electric or gas infrared heaters mounted on pergolas, covers, or walls.
Architectural lighting
Wall washers, uplights on trees and stone, and soft perimeter light.
Path & step lighting
Low-level lighting for safer navigation at night.
Pergola & cover lighting
Integrated LED strips and recessed fixtures overhead.
Controls
Dimming, scenes, timers, and smart controls.
Planning
Safety and coordination
Gas work
Gas lines and connections are installed by licensed professionals with required permits and inspections.
Electrical work
Heaters, lighting, and controls are wired by licensed electricians on appropriate outdoor-rated circuits.
Clearances
Fire features and heaters follow manufacturer clearance requirements from structures, ceilings, and combustibles.
Local rules
Open burning and fire feature rules vary by municipality. We confirm what's allowed.
Design inspirationRochester weather
Extending the Western New York season
Cool spring evenings and crisp fall nights are some of the best times to be outside in Rochester. Fire features and infrared heat make those evenings comfortable, while lighting compensates for early sunsets.
- Infrared heat for covered seating
- Fire features as a focal point
- Lighting for shorter fall and winter days
- Outdoor-rated fixtures and controls
Investment
What affects project cost
Costs depend on fuel, distance, and the number of fixtures and features.
Sharing a budget range in the project planner helps us recommend a scope that fits.
- Fuel type and runs
- Natural gas versus propane, and distance from the supply.
- Fire feature size and finish
- Burner size, materials, and custom construction.
- Heater type and quantity
- Electric or gas units, output, and mounting.
- Lighting scope
- Number of fixtures, transformers, controls, and trenching.
Installation
How the project comes together
Evening use review
How and when you use the space after dark, and in cooler months.
Design & fixture selection
Fire features, heaters, and lighting chosen together.
Trade coordination
Gas and electrical work scheduled with licensed professionals.
Installation & testing
Features installed, connected, inspected, and tested.
What's the difference between a patio heater and a heated patio?
Overhead or mounted heaters warm people sitting nearby. A heated patio, or snow-melting system, warms the surface itself to melt snow and ice. They solve different problems and can be combined.
Can a fire table go under a pergola?
Sometimes, depending on the fire feature, the structure, and required clearances. Manufacturer requirements govern placement, and we plan accordingly.
Planning guides
Learn before you build
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Heating & Lighting
Design for evenings outside.
Tell us how you'd like to use your space after dark, and we'll help you plan warmth and light.
Plan Your Project