by pandiapen

Created on: December 18, 2008   Last Updated: May 21, 2012

Patio heaters can extend your outdoor patio season beyond the warm summer months into fall and winter. They have become an important patio accessory. These are the different types of patio heaters which are currently popular.

• Patio firepits

Firepits are the simplest patio heaters. They offer the warmth and atmosphere of a crackling outdoor fire. Firepits come in a variety of styles, from simple metal bowls to stone or metal towers.

• Patio chimineas

Chimineas are becoming more popular as patio heaters. A chiminea is a pot with a short chimney, typically made of clay but also available in iron and copper. In addition to providing heat, a chiminea adds a touch of old world ambience to an outdoor patio.

• Patio fireplaces

An outdoor fireplace is a patio heater which may resemble an indoor fireplace with a mantel and screen or an updated cast-iron stove. They are available in wood-burning, gas or electric models.

• Standalone patio heaters

These patio heaters consist of a burner on top of a freestanding or table-top post. The burner flames are enclosed by a screen. Standalone patio heaters can provide the most warmth, heating within a radius of 10 to 20 feet. They may be fueled by propane, natural gas or electricity. Propane patio heaters are usually portable. Natural gas patio heaters are permanently attached to a home's natural gas source and electric patio heaters may need to be wired to a home's electrical system. Both natural gas and electrical patio heaters should be professionally installed.

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