AEI Corporation

When it comes to designing and building multifamily properties or hospitality spaces, builders and contractors face countless decisions. They juggle everything from structural plans and city codes to materials and finishing touches. One piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked until late in the process is the outdoor patio.

Whether it’s a communal patio for an apartment complex, a rooftop lounge for condos, or outdoor seating for a restaurant, these spaces are more than just nice add-ons. They’re essential features that attract residents, guests, and customers. To make these patios usable and enjoyable year-round, builders must plan for two key elements: patio heaters and patio grills.

That’s where AEI steps in. For over fifty years, AEI has been the trusted partner of developers, contractors, and property owners. From grills for apartments to patio heaters for restaurants, AEI makes the planning, installation, and maintenance of outdoor grills and patio heating simple.

In this blog, we’ll explore why AEI is the go-to resource for builders and contractors, and how our products and services help make patios functional, attractive, and reliable.

Why Builders and Contractors Need Reliable Partners

Developers and contractors don’t just build walls and roofs. They create experiences. A well-designed patio can become the centerpiece of a multifamily property or a hospitality business. It’s where families gather, residents connect, and guests linger longer.

But the challenge lies in designing patios that work in real life. A few of the questions builders have to consider include:

• Will the grills and heaters stand up to heavy use in commercial settings?
• Do they meet local safety codes?
• How easy is it for residents or guests to operate them?
• Can replacement parts be found quickly if something breaks?

Builders need suppliers who understand these challenges and provide solutions that check all the boxes. AEI has spent decades refining not only our products but also our services to make life easier for those who design and build multifamily and hospitality spaces.

Why Developers Love Working With AEI

At AEI, we understand that time is money in construction. Developers and contractors want solutions they can trust without having to spend hours chasing down specifications or making last-minute changes. That’s why we’ve built our reputation as a reliable partner who thinks ahead.

Here’s why builders keep coming back to AEI:

Accessible Documentation

Every grill and heater we carry comes with detailed owner’s manuals, cutout dimensions, and product brochures. Developers can download these PDFs directly from our website, for free. No guessing, no waiting, no surprises. This makes planning straightforward and reduces costly errors.

Proven Reliability

Our patio heaters and grills are designed for commercial use. That means they’re built tough enough to handle daily wear and tear from residents, guests, or customers. For over fifty years, AEI products have been trusted in apartments, condos, resorts, restaurants, and more.

Responsive Customer Service

Builders know that construction doesn’t always go as planned. That’s why our customer service team is quick to respond and provide answers. Whether it’s a question about installation, parts, or fuel options, we’re here to help.

Complimentary Design Services

AEI offers two unique services to help builders plan and visualize their patio projects:

• Design Consultations: Our experts will walk you through grill and heater options and make recommendations based on your specific needs and goals.
• Heat Map Service: This complimentary service provides a bird’s-eye view of your patio with heat zones showing how far your heaters will be effective. It’s an easy way to understand coverage before heaters are even installed.
• AEI Revenue Boost Calculator: Restaurants with patio spaces can estimate their revenue boost by installing patio heaters. With some simple inputs (like table turnover rate, number of patio seats, etc) you can use our calculator to estimate additional revenue your restaurant can achieve by installing patio heaters.

These services take the guesswork out of planning and help ensure that every patio is both comfortable and functional.

The Value of OEM Replacement Parts

Even the best equipment eventually needs maintenance. What sets AEI apart is our commitment to providing OEM replacement parts for all of our heaters and grills.

This is a critical detail many builders overlook. Department store brands may look appealing at first, but when something breaks, replacement parts are often impossible to find. That can leave property owners scrambling to replace entire units instead of fixing a small issue.

With AEI, builders can reassure their clients that maintenance is simple. OEM parts are readily available, ensuring heaters and grills can be repaired and kept in service for years. This saves property owners money and reinforces the value of choosing commercial-grade equipment in the first place.

Fuel Options for Every Property

Not every property is the same. Some are limited by city regulations, while others are shaped by available utilities. AEI makes sure builders have flexible options by carrying both heaters that are powered by propane, natural gas, or electricity, and grills powered by propane, natural gas, or electricity.

Propane Grills and Heaters

• Perfect for flexible or temporary placements
• Ideal when natural gas or electric hookups aren’t available
• Easy to reposition, though propane tanks must be refilled and swapped periodically

Natural Gas Grills and Heaters

• Best for properties with gas hookups or where gas lines can be installed
• No tanks to manage, making them convenient for frequent use
• Reliable and cost-effective for long-term installations

Electric Grills and Heaters

• Excellent for properties restricted by local codes (some cities now require electric appliance for new builds)
• Simple connection to the electrical grid, either hardwired by an electrician (electric patio heaters) or plugged into a NEMA 30-6 heavy-duty outlet (electric patio grills)
• Clean and efficient, with no fuel tanks or gas lines required

By offering all three options for grills and heaters, AEI ensures that no matter the property type or local regulations, builders can find the right solution.

Grill Options: Stainless Steel and Cast Aluminum

AEI offers grills that are designed specifically for multifamily and commercial use, with two main types of grill to choose from; cast aluminum grills and stainless steel grills:

Cast Aluminum Grills

• Budget-friendly choice
• Lightweight but durable
• Often installed in groups so multiple residents can grill at the same time
• Perfect for properties with large numbers of tenants

Stainless Steel Grills

• Premium choice, built to last
• Larger cooking surfaces
• Often installed in pairs or as a central flagship grill in a shared space
• Adds a sleek, professional look to patios

Both options deliver the reliability and safety features developers expect, but the choice comes down to the size of the property and the experience you want to create for residents or guests.

Patio Heater Options: Mushroom and Horizontal Heaters

Just as every grill is not created equal, patio heaters come in different styles to meet specific needs.

Mushroom Heaters

Our Sunglo line offers mushroom patio heaters, which are portable and versatile. These are a favorite in restaurant patios or areas where heaters may need to be moved around for events. Their tall, umbrella-shaped design spreads warmth over a wide area.

Horizontal Heaters

For permanent, wall- or ceiling-mounted heaters, AEI carries Infratech, Sunpak, and SunStar heaters. These horizontal heaters are sleek, efficient, and ideal for spaces where safety or aesthetics call for fixtures that stay out of the way. They provide even coverage and a modern look that works well in both residential and hospitality settings.

Features That Make AEI Stand Out

Our products are designed with features that make them practical, safe, and user-friendly.

T-Series Grills Come Standard With:

• 60-minute automatic shutoff grill timer built into the control panel
• Laser-etched operating instructions for clarity
• Anti-theft control knobs
• Side-mounted heat indicator for precision cooking
• Our T-Series grills are our line of commercial grills that are built to flourish in a multifamily setting

Patio Heaters Feature:

• Automatic safety shutoff mechanisms
• Multiple control options, including smart switches, wall switches, remotes, zone control, custom switches, scheduling, and even third-party app integrations
• Built-in durability for daily use in commercial settings

These features save time, prevent misuse, and help ensure long-term satisfaction for property owners and end users alike.

The Outcome for Builders and Contractors

When developers work with AEI, they get more than just grills and heaters. They gain a reliable partner who helps them plan, install, and maintain patios that residents, customers, and guests will love.

The results are clear:

• Multifamily properties with attractive, functional patios that increase resident satisfaction
• Restaurants, hotels, and resorts with heated outdoor spaces that keep guests comfortable year-round
• Builders who save time and avoid headaches thanks to AEI’s documentation, services, and support

AEI is not just a supplier. We’re a resource that builders and contractors can count on from project planning to long-term maintenance.

Conclusion

When it comes to building or renovating patios for multifamily properties or hospitality spaces, AEI is the clear choice for patio heaters and patio grills. With decades of experience, a full range of fuel and material options, OEM replacement parts, and unmatched customer service, we make the process simple for builders and contractors.

If you’re planning a new build or updating an existing property, let AEI help you design the perfect patio. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

FAQ

Why should I choose AEI over department store brands?

AEI products are designed for heavy commercial use, not just occasional backyard grilling. Plus, we carry OEM replacement parts, so you’ll never be stuck replacing an entire unit over a small issue.

Can AEI help me plan my patio layout?

Yes. We offer complimentary design consultations and heat map services to help you visualize coverage and layout before installation.

What’s the difference between propane, natural gas, and electric units?

Propane units are portable but require tank refills, natural gas units connect to gas lines for convenience, and electric units connect to the grid and are sometimes required by local ordinance codes.

Do AEI grills and heaters meet safety standards?

Yes. Our products include safety features like automatic shutoff timers, anti-theft knobs, and safety shutoff mechanisms for heaters.

Which brands of heaters does AEI carry?

We carry Sunglo mushroom heaters and horizontal heaters from Infratech, Sunpak, and SunStar.

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