More and more homeowners around the UK are installing outdoor heating to enable them to make use of their gardens all year round. These devices can also be great if you want to continue using your shed as a workshop during the colder months.
The most appropriate outdoor heater for you will depend on what you want to use it for, so here is a brief rundown of the kind of heating products you can buy and what situations they’re most handy in.
Patio heaters
A popular choice for many people is a patio heater, as it’s a great device to warm a relatively small outdoor space – such as a patio or decked area. These are ideal if you want to sit outside and watch the stars in the evening, or if you’re having a party in the winter and would like to utilise the extra room a patio can provide.
For versatility, a freestanding model is the best option, as these can be moved around depending on how many guests you have or whether you’ve got other furniture outside. Wall-mounted products are also available, although they give you less flexibility once installed.
Table-top heaters
When you’re browsing the various sheds on sale at your local garden centre, you might be thinking about how you can make use of this space as a workshop throughout the year. Buying a small, table-top heater is the perfect solution, as it will provide you with a source of warmth in your shed and mean you can spend time out here no matter what the weather is doing.
Of course, these are also great for use on an outdoor table, enabling you to eat outside well into the autumn and even in the winter, so you can make the most of sunny days, even if there’s a chill in the air.
This type of heater will typically be powered by gas, too, so you won’t need to worry about trailing wires from your house to the shed or your table when you want to use it.
Fire pits
For a heater that not only keeps you warm, but also looks dramatic, a fire pit is the way to go. As their name suggests, these are designed for you to set a fire in, providing you with a safer – and neater – alternative to a bonfire.
They are a fantastic talking point at parties and are available in a host of designs, from sleek, modern models to those with more ornate decoration on the metal case. It is also possible to buy a fire pit with a grill, so it can double as a barbeque if you want!
For ease of use (and cleaning) look for one with an ash tray that will make it simple to dispose of any mess after you’ve used it. Also, think about what fuel you’d prefer to use in your fire pit – coal or wood – as some products can use both, while others will be restricted to just one.
Other considerations
Most outdoor heaters (with the exception of fire pits) will be powered by either gas or electricity. You’ll need to decide which of these is most suitable for you. As a general rule, having a gas heater will give you more flexibility, as there are no wires that need to be hooked up to the mains.
Often, wall-mounted heaters will be electric, but as you will be attaching them to the side of your home, it should be relatively straightforward to set up an electrical connection when you install them.
