Are you someone who enjoys spending evenings in the garden with family and friends? Do you need some way to ensure everyone’s comfort without giving up the freedom of the open spaces? A patio heater could be just the thing you’re looking for.
Patio heaters will help keep you and your friends warm within a range of up to 25 square meters. Most models produce radiant heat and also give off ambient light, so you and your company will feel cosy and will be able to see each other no matter how dark it gets.
Heaters are available in gas or electric versions and come in table top, free standing or wall-mounted designs. Most are available in green, black, brown, grey or stainless steel to blend inconspicuously in with the rest of your garden furniture. Wall-mounted models are normally electric and are usually housed in a weatherproof casing, which means they are still just as effective even in the most adverse weather conditions.
Gas patio heaters generally run on propane and come in three versatile designs: table top, ‘parasol’ type and free standing units. Table top models are small and portable as the name implies, perfect for those more intimate moments. The parasol heater is designed to fit neatly into the central hole in your garden table, while free standing models have that street lamp look about them and include integral gas bottle storage.
Most gas heaters benefit from a safety tilt cut off device in case the dog or children accidentally knock things over, and employ a variable heat output function to let you regulate how warm it gets. Larger models include wheels for easy storage and offer a tough but stylish design. You can also purchase tilt reflectors which allow you to ‘aim’ the heat in the direction of your choice without having to move the heater.
In the portable range you can buy electric infra-red patio heaters, also wind resistant and featuring a 6 meter cable and a weighted base for extra stability. For something different, you could opt for a Mexican style chimenea, which is basically an outdoor pot belly shaped fireplace. These can be purchased in plain or decorative designs and are raised on a stand to protect the grass and decking. Once you’ve chosen your favourite heater, you can protect it from the elements when it’s not in use with a patio heater cover.
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