Mounting Patio Heaters For Maximum Comfort and Coverage
9 minute read | Heaters

When it comes to outdoor comfort, patio heaters are a must-have for extending the usability of outdoor spaces year-round. Whether you’re managing a multi-family property or running a business in the hospitality industry, choosing the right mounting option for your patio heater is essential. From heaters suspended overhead to floor-mounted heaters and portable heaters, each configuration offers unique benefits tailored to different patio layouts and heating needs.
In this guide, we’ll break down the various mounting options for patio heaters, explore their ideal applications, and provide tips to optimize heater placement for maximum comfort.
Why Patio Heater Mounting Options Matter
Selecting the right mounting option for your patio heater ensures your outdoor spaces are both functional and comfortable. Making a patio space comfortably warm will ensure you or your customers will utilize your patios to their fullest potential. The three main mounting types are:
Suspended Overhead Heaters
- These heaters are mounted on ceilings, rafters, walls, or eaves, pointing straight down or at an angle for targeted heat distribution.
- They are ideal for saving floor space and providing permanent heating solutions.
- Overhead heaters are compatible with electric infrared and natural gas-powered units, making them suitable for both residential and hospitality environments.
- Horizontal heaters are the most common overhead patio heater, but mushroom heaters can be suspended overhead as well.
Floor-Mounted Heaters
- These heaters are installed on top of a pole that is installed directly in or on the ground, either in a permanent mount or on a weighted base for stability.
- Floor-mounted heaters are mushroom patio heaters, and emit heat in a 360-degree radius.
- They are available as either natural gas or propane heaters.
Portable Patio Heaters
- Portable patio heaters are always mushroom heaters powered by propane.
- They can be portable because they are self-contained heaters. Their propane fuel tank is concealed in the base of the heater, but must be swapped out periodically.
- They can be easily moved to accommodate changing layouts, providing unmatched flexibility.
- Portable heaters are ideal for uncovered patios or spaces without access to natural gas or electric hookups.
By understanding these three mounting types, you can choose the best solution for your patio’s unique design, ensuring optimal comfort and usability.
Suspended Overhead Patio Heaters
Suspended heaters are an excellent solution for patios with permanent structures. These heaters are typically mounted on:
- Ceilings or rafters of patio covers, like gazebos or pergolas
- Outside walls or eaves of buildings (horizontal patio heaters only)
Horizontal heaters can be installed to point straight down or at an angle, allowing for targeted heat distribution. Mushroom patio heaters emit heat evenly in a circle below the heater.
Benefits of Suspended Heaters
- Space-Saving Design: Since they don’t take up any floor space, these heaters are ideal for smaller patios or areas where furniture placement is a priority.
- Clean Aesthetic: Overhead heaters blend seamlessly with patio designs, maintaining a sleek and modern look.
- Versatility: Available for both horizontal and mushroom-style heaters, they work with electric patio heaters and natural gas heaters.
Heaters mounted overhead are perfect for:
- Covered Patios: Ideal for patios with a permanent roof or overhead structure.
- Hospitality Spaces: Restaurant patios, hotel valet waiting areas, and poolside lounges at resorts.
- Multi-Family Properties: Apartment or condo patios with limited floor space.
Commercial heaters are frequently found at:
- Restaurants and Bars: Heaters can keep diners warm during cooler months, increasing seating capacity outdoors.
- Hotels and Resorts: Ideal for keeping poolside lounges or valet areas comfortable.
- Apartments and Condos: Perfect for shared covered patios in common areas like poolside patios or grilling areas.
While suspended heaters save floor space, they are not portable. Careful planning is needed to ensure they’re installed in the most effective locations.
Floor-Mounted Patio Heaters
Floor-mounted heaters, like pole-mounted mushroom heaters, are another popular option. Floor mounted mushroom heaters sit on top of a pole that is installed either:
- In the Ground: For a permanent fixture.
- On a Base: For a simpler installation option.
Benefits of Floor-Mounted Heaters
- 360-Degree Heat Distribution: Mushroom heaters emit heat in all directions, creating a cozy ambiance.
- Compatibility: Available for both natural gas and propane heaters.
- Versatile Placement: Suitable for covered and uncovered patios, provided clearance requirements are met.
Floor-mounted heaters are great for:
- Uncovered Patios: Ideal for patios without overhead structures.
- Large Outdoor Areas: Their wide heat coverage makes them perfect for expansive spaces.
- Hospitality Environments: Restaurants, hotel waiting areas, and apartment poolside patios benefit from keeping their users warm and comfortable.
Commercial floor-mounted heaters are used at:
- Restaurants: Heating for open-air dining spaces like patios, allowing you to increase your customer volume and your bottom-line.
- Hotels and Resorts: Keeps outdoor entryways, valet areas, and pool decks warm.
- Apartments and Condos: Adds year-round usability to large uncovered shared patios or poolside lounges.
Floor-mounted heaters require dedicated floor space and careful planning for installation. Once installed, they are not easily moved.
Portable Patio Heaters
Portable patio heaters are always mushroom heaters powered by propane, offering unmatched flexibility. These heaters feature a propane tank concealed in the base, making them self-contained and easy to move.
Benefits of Portable Heaters
- Flexibility: Because propane heaters carry their fuel in a propane tank store in their base, they can be repositioned to suit changing layouts or heating needs.
- Space Efficiency: They only take up floor space when in use and can be stored when not needed.
- Ideal for Uncovered Patios: Perfect for spaces without access to natural gas or electric hookups.
Portable heaters shine in:
- Uncovered Patios: Great for open-air areas without permanent overhead structures.
- Patios with Changing Layouts: Businesses and properties that frequently rearrange their outdoor spaces.
- Hospitality Settings: Restaurant patios and event spaces where adaptability is key.
Uses for portable propane patio heaters in commercial settings:
- Event Venues: Ideal for outdoor events requiring flexible heating options.
- Restaurants and Bars: Easy to reposition based on customer needs or table arrangements.
- Apartments and Condos: Perfect for uncovered patios or balconies where permanent installations aren’t feasible.
- Party Supply Companies: Businesses that rent out supply for events can rent portable propane heaters to customers.
Portable heaters are exclusively available as propane-powered mushroom heaters. While convenient, they still require adherence to safety guidelines regarding placement and usage, and for their fuel tanks to be periodically swapped out.
Patio Heater Placement: Maximizing Efficiency
Proper heater placement is crucial for achieving effective and comfortable heating. Key factors to consider include:
Heat Zones
- Mushroom Heaters: Provide 360-degree heat coverage with a radius of 10-12 feet.
- Horizontal Heaters: Offer variable heat zones depending on their mounting height and the output of the heater, with effective ranges from 8 to 14 feet.
Patio Size
- Small Patios: Might achieve coverage with one or two patio heaters.
- Large Patios: May require multiple heaters for comprehensive coverage.
- Mixed Spaces: Patios with both covered and uncovered areas may benefit from a combination of overhead and floor-mounted heaters.
Flexibility Needs
For patios that frequently change layouts, portable propane mushroom heaters are the best choice. Their mobility ensures you can adapt heating solutions as needed.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s clearance guidelines to ensure safe operation, and have a licensed professional install natural gas and electric heaters. Remember that these heaters are designed for outdoor use only.
Comparing Mounting Options
Patio Heater Mounting: | Suspended Overhead | Floor-Mounted | Portable |
Space Efficiency | Saves floor space | Requires floor space | Only uses floor space when in use |
Flexibility | Fixed placement | Fixed placement | Can be moved easily |
Heating Type | Horizontal or mushroom heaters | Mushroom heaters only | Mushroom heaters only |
Fuel Options | Electric and natural gas | Natural gas and propane | Propane only |
Ideal For | Covered patios, tight spaces | Large patios, uncovered spaces | Uncovered patios, flexible layouts |
Choose the Right Mounting Options for Your Patio Heaters
Choosing the right mounting option for your patio heater is essential to creating a warm, inviting outdoor space. Suspended overhead heaters are ideal for saving floor space and maintaining a clean aesthetic, while floor-mounted heaters offer centralized, reliable heating for larger areas. Portable propane heaters are perfect for patios that require flexibility and frequent layout changes.
By matching your patio layout and needs with the right heater type, you’ll create a cozy and functional outdoor space, whether for a multi-family property or a bustling hospitality business.
Want more information? Have a question? Contact us today, and we will be happy to help!