Can You Safely Put a Patio Heater on a Wood Deck? Best Practices

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You can safely put a patio heater on a wood deck, by taking a few precautions.

It’s essential to consider your patio heater’s style and storage requirements and to familiarize yourself with its safety mechanisms.

By doing so, you can ensure the safety of yourself, your guests, and your wood deck.

Adding a patio heater can be a great way to bring family and friends together on a cool evening.

It not only adds mood, ambiance, and flare but also provides warmth to your outdoor relaxation.

However, if you plan to use it on your wood deck, you may wonder if it’s safe depending on the type of patio heater you purchase.

To safely use a patio heater on a wood deck, there are a few essential aspects to consider.

In this article, you will learn about storing your patio heater on your wood deck, how to stay safe while using it, and what type of patio heater is best suited for your deck.

So keep reading to find out more!

Patio heater on wood deck

Related Reading: How to Use Patio Heaters Safely [HELPFUL GUIDE]

Table of Contents

Is a Patio Heater on a Wood Deck Safe?

Patio heaters can be safely placed on any wooden deck.

Most patio heaters have safety features such as tip-over switches, automatic shut-off valves, and remote-controlled thermostats.

Knowing how to use these features will help protect you and your patio from any fire hazards.

With features such as remote-controlled thermostats and tip-over shut-off mechanisms, you can feel safer knowing that you can walk away from the patio heater and not worry about losing control.

If you’re worried about using a patio heater on a wooden deck, read on for recommended safety measures to ease your mind.

To ensure maximum safety when using your patio heater, there are additional precautions you can take to protect your wood deck and yourself.

Preparing your wood deck for the patio heater is a wise choice to provide you with an extra layer of safety and peace of mind.

Here are some recommended safety measures that you can follow to prepare your wood deck for your patio heater.

  • Remove all known flammable liquids or fuel from your patio heater on your wood deck.
  • Keep plants, bushes, or other foliage at a minimum and trim away from the patio heater.
  • Give your patio heater a 1-2 foot buffer space from other furniture or decorations.
  • Don’t leave any items on the wood deck and close to the patio heater where they could potentially catch fire.
  • Place your patio heater in an area where it will not be bumped into or tripped over.

When it comes to using a patio heater on a wood deck, safety should always be a top priority.

The recommended safety measures may vary depending on the type of patio heater you are using.

To ensure your wood deck is safe, choosing the appropriate patio heater is important.

In this article, we will look at a few types of patio heaters suitable for use on a wood deck.

Patio Heater on a Wood Deck-Types

Choosing the right patio heater for your wooden deck depends on your preferred style and the available space.

With many patio heaters available in the market, you can choose one that offers different capabilities and creates the perfect ambiance.

It’s important to note that every patio heater has its unique way of providing heat.

To give you an idea of the different options available, the list below outlines some popular patio heaters that are ideal for use on a wooden deck.

  • Chiminea: although a bit more technical and requiring constant oversight due to loading it up with wood to keep the fire going, a patio heater like a chiminea can be a beautiful complement to your wood deck as they come in a variety of styles from steel to terra cotta. This is perfect for a wood deck that is moderate to more significant in size. 
  • Electric Patio Heater: user-friendly, has built-in safety mechanisms, and can control the temperature on the unit or your phone (if it’s a higher-tech model). Electric patio heaters are perfect for any size wood deck due to their ability to increase or decrease the heat output.
  • Gas Patio Heater: widely sold and popular, moderately expensive to use more than casually due to the cost of propane, but a solid and reliable option for any size wood deck.
  • Pellet Patio Heater: eco-friendly, cheap to keep fueled, and offers 100% heat emittance to its surrounding area. A solid choice for any wood deck that is larger in size.

It’s important to measure your patio heater on a wood deck before purchasing a patio heater.

This will help you determine the type of patio heater that would fit best and identify any potential obstacles in front of the heater that could pose a safety hazard to yourself or your wood deck.

Related Reading: Pellet or Propane Patio Heaters: Discover the Best Choice

For your convenience, here are a few different types of heaters for your wooden deck. (Affiliate link)

Storing a Patio Heater on a Wood Deck

If you want to store your patio heater on a wood deck when it’s not in use, you can easily do so by taking a few simple steps.

To prevent weathered marks on your deck, be careful where you place the heater.

No one likes to see rust or worn marks on their beautiful deck, so make sure to choose a safe spot.

Storing patio heaters indoors should be avoided except in rare circumstances, such as inclement weather when storing it on a wooden deck is impossible.

The list below reveals the top ways to store your patio heater on your wood deck in a way that keeps it lasting for years to come.

  • Cover your patio heater with a tarp or specialty-made cover if it comes with one.
  • Empty all fuel materials from your patio heater before storing them.
  • If in inclement weather, consider taking your patio heater off the wood deck and storing it indoors.
  • Unplug, sort, and store any cords running from your patio heater.
  • Store all fuel materials away from the patio heater and off the wood deck where possible.

How you store your patio heater on a wood deck will depend on a lot more than what is listed above.

Storage can vary based on the style of patio heater you have (electric, gas, pellet, wood, etc.) and the space you have to store it in.

If you’re unsure about storing your patio heater on your wooden deck, it’s best to bring it indoors and keep it in a quiet corner.

This way, it will be ready for use the next time you want to bring it back out onto the deck.

Remember to always prioritize safety, especially when it comes to outdoor equipment.

Related Reading: Using a Patio Heater in Your Garage: What You Should Know

Final Thoughts

Enjoying the warmth of your patio heater on your wooden deck can be a wonderful experience with just a few simple steps and considerations.

With a bit more knowledge on how to safely operate a patio heater on your wooden deck, you can confidently set up your heat source and enjoy it with your loved ones.

So go ahead and create your own mini heat haven on your deck and bask in the cozy warmth!

Enjoy living the outdoor life!!!