Congratulations to you and your wife, Czarben, I know how hard it is to quit.
My coop is raised with a wood floor. I have anywhere from 12 to 18" of wood shavings on the floor. Several years ago I bought a circular metal waterer heat base, and I love it and would not trade it for anything - the birds have constant access to water, and it is very safe. I use 2 gallon metal waterers with it.
Last year I used a dog waterer in my small coop. Instead of filling it with water I put sand in it. then put a plastic waterer with an insulation sleeve over it on top of the sand. Stayed clean and the water froze only a little on the coldest of the bitter cold days we had last year.