Patio Umbrellas Buying Guide

Buying A Patio Heater

Is summer time coming to an end but you aren’t quite ready to give up on your warm late nights spent outside? A patio heater will extend your summer season and won’t put a time limit on any barbeques, parties or late night drinks outside. Put off that chilly evening weather and enjoy your backyard entertaining season for as long as you want.

Patio heaters come in many shapes and sizes, so take a moment to discover which type of heater would work best for you and your backyard.

Propane Electric or natural gas

Patio heaters are usually powered by propane, electricity or natural gas, and the decision is often based on personal preference, as each type has its pros and cons. If you choose a propane patio heater, you’ll have to keep a tank filled in order to operate it, but you can place your heater anywhere. If you choose an electric patio heater, you’ll have to place your heater close to an outlet or deal with extension chords, but you’ll never have to worry about refueling. Natural gas patio heaters must be hooked up to a natural gas line, but after that you’ll never have to think about it again.

Mounted or Portable

Portable patio heaters are extremely handy because you can pick and choose exactly where you want to heat. Great for parties where people often mingle and separate into small groups, portable heaters can be moved on the fly. If the portable heater has wheels, then moving the heater from place to place isn’t a problem. If you have a free-standing portable patio hater, you’ll be required to lift upwards of 100 pounds every time you want to move it.

Mounted heaters are great because once installed, they’re never in the way; out of sight and out of mind. While portable and mounted heaters are incredibly handy, the amount of heat they generate is smaller than a permanent mounted heater.

Permanent Mounted

A permanent mounted patio heater is what you would see in a restaurant patio establishment. These heaters are built into the ground and offer durability, stability and a wider heat radius. These heaters outperform their smaller and portable counterparts. If you choose a permanent mounted patio heater, place it in an area that will warm the largest space possible or where you know you’ll need it most. 

Style

Depending on the model, patio heaters come in a variety of styles. The most common model is roughly 7-10 feet tall and looks like a small lamppost. If you’ve eaten on a patio at a restaurant, you’ve probably seen these steel patio heaters before. Wall mounted heaters usually resemble regular wall mounted lights, while tabletop patio heaters look very much like a regular lamp.  These are designed to fit in with the rest of your yard furniture.

No matter what style of patio heater you choose, Patio Umbrella Station has everything you need. There’s nothing worse then being forced inside because they weather has significantly cooled, and a quality heater will keep you toasty and warm long throughout the night.