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
- Read and follow the safety manual
- Know your heater’s clearance requirements (as set out by the manufacturer)
- If you have a covered patio, be sure there is adequate ventilation
- Make sure your heater is on a flat, level surface
- Most portable heaters have tip over protection features
- Keep your patio heater away from anything combustible
- Make sure there are no gas leaks or that the heating element doesn’t touch the deck or anything else
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
Propane patio heaters usually use a 20 lb. liquid propane (LP) gas tank, typically hidden within the body of the heater itself. This makes the heater more aesthetically pleasing and allows it to be moved to various locations around the deck.
With propane patio heaters, the hood (top) of the heater gets hot while the base stays perfectly cool – making it perfectly suited for use on your deck. Even so, it’s important to keep enough clearance from your heater to keep everybody safe… generally, keep a 30” circumference uncluttered around the heater, and 34” above a freestanding patio heater (of 35,000 to 50,000 BTUs). The absolute best course of action is the read and understand the clearance guidelines from the manufacturer for your specific heater.
We’ve had quite a few customers who wished to use multiple freestanding propane heaters (one near a conversation pit, one by a dining set, and one by a pair of chaise lounges). No problem in using more than one propane heater as long as you follow the clearances around and above it per the manufacturer.
Whether you choose a “mushroom” style or freestanding propane patio heater, look for one with a tilt safety switch. In the event that the heater is knocked over (from an overzealous dog or ridiculously strong gust of wind) the heater shuts off automatically, saving your family and friends from a dangerous situation.
Electric Heaters
Electric patio heaters will always be the safest choice for decks, as they have no open flames. Whether you select a portable variety, or the beefier mounted electric heaters, you’ll get immediate warmth that is not susceptible to wind.
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
If you’re not intending to move your patio heater around, a natural gas freestanding (or mounted) solution may be right for you. Natural gas patio heaters tend to have a higher heat output, but that heat is affected by the wind.
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
Gas fire pits *may* be allowed for use on a wooden or composite deck, depending on the requirements of your local ordinances. Check your locality’s laws before committing to a gas fire pit. Generally, ordinances will define allowable space, like the fire pit must be at least 10 feet from the house and have at least 7 feet of clearance between the top of the flame and the deck’s ceiling or cover.
Who doesn’t like the look of a real wood fire pit or chiminea blazing on a cool evening? Somebody whose house just burnt down from using a wood fire pit or chiminea on a wooden or composite deck, that’s who. Because of the nature of a wood fire (hissing, crackling, spitting off embers) it’s unsafe to use a wood-burning heater on your deck.
How do you secure a patio heater on a deck?
So, you’ve figure out which patio heater(s) you need, and are concerned about keeping them vertical on your deck… right? The easiest way to secure your new patio heater is to literally secure it to your deck using screws and bolts. Tightly connecting your heater to absolutely the best way to keep your family safe.
Short of that (let’s say you are in a rental house and your landlord has agreed to allow you to use the patio heater) many models have a reservoir built-in that can be filled with water or sand to heavily weigh down the base, making it harder to tip over. No reservoir? You can add sandbags or water-filled bags to the outside of your base to add stability (just be sure whatever you are adding is heat/flame resistant).
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.
If you’re still a little stuck on exactly what’s right for you, you’re in luck. Our experts have been hand selected from hundreds in the patio community to have the most experience and knowledge available. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through it, every step of the way.