Flexwatt vs. radiant heat panels

[Will0W783]

I am going to need to redo the heating in my snake room, since the current method is not stable enough with the crazy fluctuations in weather this year. I am wondering if Flexwatt heat tape can be put on the floor of melamine cages? Will it burn the snakes, and if I turn it down enough not to burn them, will it not be heating the cage sufficiently? I will also have a room heater, but need to have more regulated basking areas and can't use individual lights with my melamine cages.

I know radiant heat panels will work, but they are very expensive. I am prepared to buy them if I need to, but I'm wondering if there is a way to make heat tape work since it is far more economical and I plan to get new cages in a few years anyway.