Can A Patio Heater Be Used On A Deck?

Every day here at Patio Heat and Shade we champion the benefits of outdoor living – sunshine, fresh air, and cherished memories built with friends and family. Most of our customers want to enjoy their outdoor spaces for as long as they can before having to set foot across the threshold and go indoors.

Whether you obtained your deck the old-fashioned way (building it yourself through attaching the ledger, setting footings and piers, installing post bases and rim joists, installing interior joists, and attaching trim and decking) or through the significantly easier method of buying your house with one already attached, there’s no denying that the deck is where the family loves to hang out. Many a rough day is made significantly smoother on your deck by a barefoot meal prepared on the BBQ while sipping your favorite drink and letting the day wash off you.

As the evening progresses and temperatures begin to fall, you’ll find yourself looking to regain the comfort of but a few hours ago… and one of our favorite ways to do that is to crank up the patio heater, giving you added hours to enjoy your outdoor oasis. Many of our customers are concerned that using a patio heater on a deck may be dangerous (what with that whole wood vs. flames thing) and turned to the smartest patio experts in the business for the final word.

Can I use a patio heater on a wood deck?

Most patio heaters can be used on a wood deck, providing you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearances and installation. Here’s a few safety tips:

Patio heater safety tips for decks

What heater can I use on decking

Let’s take a look at the different types of patio heaters and how well they fare on a deck:

Propane Heaters

Electric Heaters

One thing to watch out for is to make sure that your heating element doesn’t touch anything it isn’t supposed to (like the deck itself). Again, selecting a heater with tip over protection is critical to keeping your loved ones safe.

Because electric portable heaters are so low to the ground, they’re highly portable and can be placed in that “just right” space easier than any other heater.

Natural Gas Heaters

Keeping your natural gas heater safe on a wood or composite deck is a piece of cake; make sure it is securely fastened to the deck and follow manufacturer’s instructions for clearances and you’re good-to-go.

Keep in mind that natural gas solutions require installation by a licensed plumber.

Fire Pits and Chimineas

How do you secure a patio heater on a deck?

You can shackle your patio heater to a stable structure (like a column or pillar) using flame resistant ties (zip ties resistant up to 185°F or bungie cords) to help keep it upright when mother nature gets a little upset and stirs up a nasty wind.

Where shouldn’t you use a patio heater?

We’re pretty clear now on how to use a patio heater for our deck, but where should we avoid using them? Welp, the big thing is generally to stay away from using them indoors or in enclosed spaces.

Electric patio heaters can be used in semi-indoor spaces (like garages) with safety as long as you adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications on clearances around the heater. In fact, many electric patio heaters can be used in fully enclosed spaces (like a basement or attic) safely.

Natural gas heaters are mostly NOT to be used indoors or in an enclosed space, except for a few rare exceptions that are built to have a vent to the outside air. Those specific types of gas heaters are approved for indoor use when the exhaust is piped outdoors correctly.

Propane patio heaters should not be used indoors at all.

Wrap-Up

As the day turns chilly, patio heaters can reliably be used to warm your family and friends without having any fears for the safety of your guests.

To select exactly the right patio heater(s), you need the kind of wide selection and product availability that we pride ourselves on here at Patio Heat and Shade. Combine that with the best prices on the Internet and you get an unbeatable combination.