Why Developers of Low-Income Housing Choose AEI's Complimentary Patio Design Services
Low-income housing is an umbrella term used for several different types of government programs that aim to help low-income earners secure housing for themselves and their families. The three main types of low-income programs are public housing, housing choice vouchers, and low-income housing tax credits. These programs are almost always for multifamily properties, like apartments, which usually have a mix of low-income housing units and normally priced units.
Low-income housing programs are a way for owners of apartments to rent units for under market value, but recoup their losses either from tax credits or payments from the government. Regardless of the program they use, owners of apartments that participate in low-income housing programs still need to remain competitive in the multifamily housing market. One of the best ways to beat their competition is to install outdoor amenities such as patio grill areas.
Planning the outdoor amenities for a multifamily property involves much more than deciding where to place a few grills and patio heaters. Every decision affects the finished space, from the fuel source and utility connections to resident traffic flow, seating layouts, and long-term maintenance.
Whether you're building a new apartment community, renovating an existing condominium complex, or designing a mixed-use development with shared outdoor amenities, the patio area is an important part of the resident experience. Well-designed outdoor spaces encourage people to gather, socialize, cook meals, and spend more time enjoying the property. Those amenities can also help your community stand out in a competitive housing market.
Owners, developers, architects, and builders already have plenty to coordinate. Construction schedules, budgets, subcontractors, inspections, and material deliveries all compete for attention. The last thing anyone wants is to discover halfway through a project that the patio layout needs to change because the grills or heaters weren't planned early enough.
We've seen that happen more than once.
A project is well underway before anyone starts talking about the outdoor amenities. By then, utility routes have already been finalized, concrete is scheduled to be poured, and changing the layout becomes much more expensive than it needed to be.
That is why many developers contact AEI long before the first grill or patio heater is installed.
AEI’s complimentary patio design services help simplify the planning process. Instead of trying to determine the best products and layouts on your own, you can work directly with specialists who have spent decades helping design outdoor spaces for multifamily communities across North America.
The goal is simple.
Help you create attractive, functional patio spaces while avoiding costly surprises later in construction.
Great Patio Spaces Begin During the Planning Stage
Patio grills and heaters should never be treated as an afterthought.
The projects that tend to move the most smoothly are usually the ones where outdoor amenities are discussed early. It gives everyone more flexibility and helps avoid unnecessary redesigns.
Selecting natural gas patio grills, for example, requires planning for gas lines before hardscape installation begins. Electric patio grills may require dedicated electrical circuits and receptacles that need to be incorporated into construction drawings. Patio heaters have their own installation considerations, including mounting heights, clearances, electrical or gas service, and the amount of heat coverage needed for each seating area.
Planning these details early usually leads to fewer surprises once construction begins.
By involving patio specialists during the design phase, developers can coordinate these requirements with architects, landscape designers, engineers, and contractors while changes are still easy to make.
Experience Makes a Difference
No two multifamily communities are exactly alike.
A 75-unit suburban apartment development has very different needs than a 400-unit high-rise with a rooftop lounge. Student housing often benefits from larger communal grilling areas than a senior living community. A pool deck has different heating requirements than a sheltered courtyard.
That's one reason we avoid recommending the same layout from one project to the next.
For more than sixty years, AEI has worked with developers, contractors, architects, builders, and property owners to help plan commercial outdoor spaces. Over that time, our team has answered thousands of questions about grill selection, heater placement, fuel options, installation requirements, and long-term maintenance.
Sometimes the recommendation is adding another grill station to reduce wait times for residents. Other times it's changing the fuel source because it better fits the property's infrastructure. We've even seen projects where moving a patio heater just a few feet created noticeably more comfortable seating because it eliminated a cold spot caused by prevailing winds.
Small planning decisions like these can have a lasting impact on construction costs, maintenance, and resident satisfaction.
What Happens During AEI's Complimentary Patio Design Consultation?
Many people hear "complimentary design consultation" and assume it is simply a sales call.
It isn't.
Our goal is to understand your project, answer your questions, and help you choose products that fit both your property and your budget.
During the consultation, we'll walk through everything from grill selection and utility requirements to heater placement and fuel options. We'll discuss how many grills make sense for your property, the best locations for grill stations, mounting options for patio heaters, installation considerations, and long-term maintenance planning.
Every recommendation is based on your specific project rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Some developments benefit from several smaller grilling areas spread throughout the property. Others work better with one large outdoor gathering space featuring multiple commercial grills.
The same is true for patio heaters. Some spaces are ideal for overhead infrared heaters, while others are better suited for freestanding mushroom heaters.
Good planning solves problems before they exist.
Take the Guesswork Out of Patio Heating with Complimentary Heat Maps
One of the most common questions we hear is simple.
How many patio heaters do we actually need?
Installing too few heaters leaves cold spots that discourage residents from using the space. Installing too many can increase project costs without adding much value.
A heat map helps answer that question.
AEI offers a complimentary patio heat mapping service for qualifying projects. A heat map overlays the expected heat coverage of each patio heater onto your patio layout, allowing you to visualize how different heater models and mounting locations will perform before installation begins.
Rather than guessing whether three heaters are enough or whether six would be better, you'll have a layout based on the heating performance of the products being considered.
Developers appreciate having that information early. Architects can coordinate heater locations with structural elements. Contractors gain a clearer understanding of installation requirements before work begins.
Everyone is working from the same plan.
Why Heat Maps Matter
Outdoor heating isn't as straightforward as many people expect.
Heat doesn't spread evenly across an open patio. Wind, ceiling height, mounting location, surrounding structures, and seating arrangements all influence how comfortable the finished space will feel.
A covered clubhouse patio may require fewer heaters than an open rooftop amenity deck. Likewise, a narrow outdoor corridor has very different heating needs than a pool deck or large courtyard.
These are details that are difficult to judge from a floor plan alone.
A professionally prepared heat map helps answer questions such as:
- Where should each patio heater be installed?
- How much area will each heater comfortably warm?
- Are there gaps in the heating coverage?
- Which heater models fit this space best?
- Would changing the mounting height improve performance?
Small layout changes can have a surprisingly big impact.
Planning Grill Areas That Residents Will Actually Use
Installing commercial grills is only part of creating a successful outdoor amenity.
The entire space should feel inviting.
Residents, whether they use low-income housing or not, need room to cook comfortably without competing for space around the grill. Friends and neighbors should be able to gather naturally while meals are being prepared. Foot traffic should flow through the patio without creating congestion around the cooking area.
We've worked on projects where one centrally located grill station made perfect sense. We've also helped design communities where several smaller grill areas created a much better resident experience.
That's why we don't begin with a standard layout.
We begin by understanding how residents will actually use the space.
Choosing the Right Fuel Source Early Can Save Time and Money
One of the first decisions during patio planning is selecting the fuel source for your grills and heaters.
Making this decision early helps coordinate utility routing, installation requirements, and construction schedules before work progresses too far.
| Fuel Source | Best For | Key Advantages |
| Natural Gas | Permanent installations | Continuous fuel supply with no propane tank replacements |
| Propane | Flexible installations | Easy placement where gas service isn't practical |
| Electric | Electrified buildings and gas-restricted areas | Clean operation and simplified utility planning |
Natural Gas
Many of the multifamily projects we work on ultimately choose natural gas grills and natural gas heaters because it offers a continuous fuel supply without requiring staff to replace propane cylinders.
That doesn't automatically make it the best choice.
Some communities simply aren't set up for natural gas in every outdoor space. Looking at the project early usually makes that decision much easier.
Natural gas works particularly well for permanent grill stations, pool areas, clubhouse patios, and other high-use outdoor amenities.
Propane
Propane provides flexibility.
If natural gas isn't available or extending gas service isn't practical, propane grills and propane heaters can often provide an excellent alternative.
The main consideration is that propane cylinders eventually need to be replaced or refilled.
Many renovation projects find propane to be the simplest solution because it avoids major utility work.
Electric
Electric patio equipment continues to become more common, especially in new construction.
Commercial electric grills can reach temperatures of approximately 500 degrees, providing the high heat needed for burgers, steaks, vegetables, and other traditional barbecue foods. Electric grills are connected to a heavy-duty NEMA 6-30 receptacle.
Electric patio heaters provide comfortable infrared warmth while eliminating the need for gas piping or propane storage. They also offer more options to control your heaters.
For many projects, electric equipment offers an excellent combination of performance and installation flexibility.
Selecting Commercial Grills Built for Daily Use
Not all patio grills are designed for commercial environments.
A residential backyard grill may perform perfectly for weekend cookouts, but shared apartment amenities are often used every day by dozens of residents.
Commercial communities need equipment built for that level of use.
AEI offers both cast aluminum grills and stainless steel grills, allowing developers to choose the solution that best fits their project.
Cast Aluminum Grills
Cast aluminum grills remain a popular choice because they combine durability with affordability.
They're corrosion resistant, stand up well to outdoor environments, and provide excellent value when multiple grills are installed together.
That makes them a natural fit for apartment communities where several families may be cooking at the same time.
Stainless Steel Grills
When developers want to create a premium outdoor gathering space, stainless steel grills are often the preferred choice.
Their commercial-grade construction provides outstanding durability and corrosion resistance while complementing modern multifamily architecture.
Many properties install stainless steel grills in pairs or small groups to create a signature grilling destination for residents.
Choosing the Right Patio Heater
Patio heaters are just as important as grills when designing outdoor amenities.
Comfortable outdoor spaces encourage residents to use patios well into the evening and throughout cooler months.
The best heater depends on the layout.
Mushroom Patio Heaters
Mushroom patio heaters remain one of the most recognizable outdoor heating solutions.
Their freestanding design distributes heat in every direction, making them ideal for pool decks, courtyards, clubhouse patios, and outdoor gathering spaces.
AEI proudly carries Sunglo mushroom patio heaters, one of the most respected names in commercial outdoor heating.
Horizontal Infrared Patio Heaters
Some patios benefit more from overhead heating.
Horizontal infrared heaters preserve valuable floor space while directing radiant warmth toward seating areas below.
AEI offers three respected brands of horizontal patio heaters.
Every patio is different.
We'll help determine which heater style best fits your project's layout and goals.
Commercial Products Built for Commercial Properties
One mistake we occasionally see is residential products being specified for commercial projects.
They may cost less initially, but they lack important features that are needed in apartment communities, like automatic grill shutoff timers, anti-theft control knobs, and more.
Commercial equipment is different.
Our grills and patio heaters are designed for demanding environments where durability, reliability, and long service life matter.
Residents notice when outdoor spaces simply work.
Features That Make Property Management Easier
Commercial equipment should make life easier for maintenance teams as well.
Our T-Series commercial grills include features specifically designed for multifamily communities, including:
- Built-in 60-minute automatic shutoff grill timer
- Laser-etched operating instructions
- Anti-theft control knobs
- Side-mounted temperature indicator
Our patio heaters also include important commercial features, such as automatic safety shutoff systems and a wide variety of heater control options, including manual controls, wall switches, remotes, zone controls, scheduling capabilities, and third-party automation integration.
The Documentation Contractors Need
Good planning depends on accurate information.
AEI provides product brochures, installation manuals, owner's manuals, specifications, and cutout dimensions through our website so project teams have the documentation they need throughout planning and construction.
Having those resources available helps architects, contractors, engineers, and developers coordinate projects with greater confidence.
OEM Replacement Parts Help Protect Your Investment
Eventually, every commercial appliance requires maintenance.
When that time comes, access to genuine OEM replacement parts makes repairs much simpler.
AEI continues to support the grills and patio heaters we sell by offering OEM replacement parts designed specifically for the original equipment.
That helps extend product life while reducing long-term ownership costs.
Responsive Customer Service Before and After Installation
Questions don't stop once equipment has been ordered.
Contractors may need installation guidance. Architects may need technical documentation. Property managers may need help identifying replacement parts years later.
That's part of the job.
Our patio specialists work with developers, contractors, architects, and property managers every day, providing practical guidance from the planning stage through installation and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in AEI's complimentary patio design consultation?
Our patio specialists provide recommendations on grill and heater selection, heater placement, fuel sources, equipment quantities, mounting options, and installation planning based on your specific project.
What is a patio heat map?
A patio heat map is a visual diagram showing the expected heating coverage of your patio heaters across your outdoor space before installation begins.
Can AEI help with new construction and renovation projects?
Yes. We regularly assist both new multifamily developments and renovations of existing outdoor amenity spaces.
Should I choose natural gas, propane, or electric grills?
That depends on your property's utilities, local building requirements, and long-term maintenance goals. Our team can help you evaluate the best option.
What types of patio heaters does AEI offer?
AEI carries Sunglo mushroom patio heaters along with Infratech, Sunpak, and SunStar horizontal patio heaters.
Why use commercial grills instead of residential models?
Commercial grills are designed for frequent daily use and offer greater durability, longer service life, and features specifically intended for shared outdoor amenities.
Does AEI provide product documentation?
Yes. Product brochures, owner's manuals, installation manuals, specifications, and cutout dimensions are available throughout our website.
Are OEM replacement parts available?
Yes. AEI carries OEM replacement parts for the commercial grills and patio heaters we sell.
Plan Your Next Patio Project with Confidence
Designing a successful outdoor amenity space for multifamily properties that participate in low-income housing programs doesn't have to be complicated.
The earlier outdoor amenities become part of the conversation, the easier the rest of the project usually becomes.
Whether you're planning a new apartment community, renovating an existing condominium property, or updating outdoor amenities at another multifamily development, AEI is ready to help.
Schedule a complimentary patio design consultation with our team. We'll help you evaluate your outdoor spaces, recommend the right grills and patio heaters, prepare heat maps for qualifying projects, and answer your questions throughout the planning process.
Together, we can help create outdoor spaces that residents will enjoy for years to come.
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