What Is the Difference Between Rock Salt, Ice Melt Salt, Solar Salt, and Road Salt?

Whether you’re a homeowner, landscaper, or business owner, choosing the right de-icing product is important for maintaining safe, clear surfaces. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which product is the best fit for your needs.

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer a variety of de-icing solutions, each designed for specific purposes. From rock salt to ice melt salt and solar salt, each product is formulated differently, and understanding their differences will help you make the best decision to remove snow and ice.

Rock Salt: The Traditional De-Icer

Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is the most common and traditional product used to de-ice surfaces during winter. It is derived from natural salt deposits or from evaporated seawater and “along the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah” according to the University of Minnesota. It is often found in larger, coarse crystals. Rock salt is widely used by municipalities, businesses, and homeowners because of its availability, affordability, and effectiveness in melting ice.

Features of Rock Salt:

• Melts to 20°F: Rock salt works effectively down to around 20°F, though it can struggle to melt ice in subzero temperatures.

• Works Well on Large Areas: Ideal for use on large roads, parking lots, and driveways, rock salt can cover vast areas quickly.

• Requires More Quantity: Since rock salt melts at higher temperatures, larger amounts may need to be applied for optimal results, especially in extremely cold weather.

Kilgore’s Road Salt: Type C White Bulk Road Salt

Road salt, or bulk road salt, is a more specialized type of rock salt used mostly by municipalities, large contractors, and road maintenance crews. While it can be made from sodium chloride, like rock salt, road salt is often treated or enhanced to make it more effective in colder temperatures and to help reduce its environmental impact. 

Kilgore’s Type C Bulk Road Salt is a classic rock salt that is treated during production. Here’s what makes it better for bulk road applications:

• Treated with Magnesium Chloride: This additive lowers the freezing point of the salt, making it effective at melting ice in temperatures as low as 0°F.

• Anti-Caking Agent (YPS): Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS) prevents clumping and crusting, ensuring the salt flows smoothly through spreaders and remains easy to store, extending its shelf life.

• Versatile Applications: Ideal for use on asphalt surfaces, Kilgore’s treated bulk road salt works well in larger, in-bed salt spreaders, making it perfect for large-scale operations such as highways, parking lots, and city streets.

Solar Salt: The Refined De-Icer

Solar salt is another type of sodium chloride commonly used for de-icing, but its production process and properties make it different it from traditional rock salt. While it shares similar ice-melting capabilities, solar salt offers unique advantages that make it a versatile option for winter maintenance.

Solar salt is produced through a natural evaporation process. Seawater or brine is exposed to sunlight and wind in shallow pools, causing the water to evaporate and leave behind crystallized salt. This method creates cleaner, more uniform crystals compared to rock salt.

Kilgore Landscape Center’s Ice Bomb is an excellent example of enhanced solar salt, designed to outperform basic salt products through the addition of key de-icing enhancements.

Features of Solar Salt

• Smaller, Uniform Crystals: Solar salt has a more consistent texture than rock salt, which allows for even application across surfaces.

• Purity: The natural evaporation process removes many impurities, resulting in cleaner salt that’s less likely to leave residue.

• Enhanced Effectiveness: Solar salt is often treated with additives like calcium, magnesium, or potassium to boost its ice-melting performance, especially at lower temperatures.

• Environmentally Friendly Options: Enhanced solar salts, such as Ice Bomb, are designed to be safer for pets, plants, and concrete when applied as directed.

Kilgore’s Solar Salt Product: Ice Bomb Ice Melt

At Kilgore Landscape Center, one of our offerings that falls under the solar salt category is Ice Bomb. This extra-coarse solar salt is naturally enhanced with calcium, magnesium, and potassium to enhance its performance. Ice Bomb works effectively in temperatures as low as -0°F, making it a great option for larger-scale commercial applications.

• Extra-Coarse Grains: Provides instant traction, ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Enhanced Melting Power: Enriched with calcium, magnesium, and potassium for better efficiency.

• Extreme Cold Effectiveness: Works down to -0°F for harsh winter conditions.

• Purple Organic Dye: Ensures precise application, reduces waste, and is non-staining.

• Professional-Grade: Designed for contractors, roadways, and commercial use.

• Visible and Efficient: Coarse grains improve distribution and reduce over-application.

Ice Melt: The Fastest De-icing Solution

Ice melt products, on the other hand, are typically faster-acting than rock salt and are specifically formulated to melt ice at lower temperatures. The University of Wisconsin explains that ice melt salt products are often made from “a blend of different salts” from a variety of ingredients such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or sodium chloride. These ingredients work by lowering the freezing point of water, preventing ice from bonding to the surface and melting it faster than traditional salt. Most of our products are referred to as "ice melt" because their primary function is to melt ice. However, each product may have additional properties or unique features that cater to specific needs and applications.

Features of Ice Melt:

• Melts at Lower Temperatures: Ice melt products typically melt down to -20°F or even lower, making them ideal for harsh winter conditions.

• Works Faster: Ice melt begins working almost immediately, breaking up ice and snow more quickly than rock salt.

• Use Less: Since ice melt works faster and at lower temperatures, you typically need less product than rock salt to achieve the same results.

Kilgore’s Ice Melt Products:

Kilgore offers a range of ice melt products designed to tackle the toughest winter conditions. These products are especially useful for residential and commercial use, where a fast and efficient melting solution is required.

1. Purple Heat Ice Melt
   Purple Heat is a magnesium chloride-based product that melts ice down to -15°F. It’s an excellent option for concrete surfaces, as it is safer for these areas than traditional rock salt. It is also pet-friendly and environmentally safe when used as directed, making it a great choice for families with pets or for areas that may come into contact with vegetation.
   The purple dye in Purple Heat Ice Melt helps users control the amount of product applied, reducing waste and ensuring the product goes exactly where it’s needed. This product is ideal for residential driveways, sidewalks, and smaller commercial properties.

1. Polar Ice Melt
   Polar Ice Melt is another fast-acting ice melt salt that works effectively at even lower temperatures, down to -25°F. The blue dye added to Polar Ice Melt helps users easily spot where it’s been applied, ensuring even coverage. It’s pet-friendly, plant-friendly, and concrete safe ice melt salts make it a versatile solution for homeowners, landscapers, and businesses alike.
   This product is a blend of sodium chloride, liquid magnesium chloride, and sodium silicate, which work together to break down ice quickly and efficiently. Polar Ice Melt is ideal for use in tailgate salt spreaders, so it’s perfect for larger properties or parking lots that need a reliable de-icing solution.

Choosing the Right Product for Your Needs

Each of these products—rock salt, ice melt, and road salts—serves a unique purpose and is best for specific applications. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide which product is best for your needs:

• For Large Commercial Areas or High-Traffic Roads: Type C Bulk Road Salt is your best bet for large-scale snow removal, as it is designed to handle large areas such as highways and parking lots.

• For Smaller Residential Areas: Ice melt salt products like Polar Ice Melt or Purple Heat Ice Melt are perfect for sidewalks, driveways, and smaller parking lots. These products melt ice quickly and work in subzero temperatures, providing fast results and safety for concrete and other sensitive surfaces.

• For Immediate Traction and Visibility: Ice Bomb Ice Melt, a coarser rock salt, is ideal for instant traction and is great for large commercial applications where visibility and control are necessary.

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Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we understand that winter weather can present challenges, which is why we offer a complete range of de-icing products designed to meet every need. Whether you are dealing with large-scale operations, small residential driveways, or need a product that’s safe for concrete and pets, our rock salt, ice melt, and road salt products are all formulated to provide reliable and efficient snow and ice removal.

By understanding the differences between these products, you can choose the right one for your specific needs and enjoy a safer, clearer winter season. If you’re unsure which product is right for you, our team at Kilgore Landscape Center is always here to help. Stop by our Salt Lake City location today, or give us a call to discuss your winter maintenance needs and find the perfect solution.