Despite living in a climate that’s not so tropical, we love our outdoor spaces in the UK, which is why we lavish so much care and attention on our gardens and patios. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by nature to create a sense of wellbeing and we often retreat to our gardens to take a break from the rigours of modern life. As the quality of glazing and construction has skyrocketed in recent years so too has our desire to blur the lines between our homes and gardens. ‘Indoor-outdoor’ spaces have captured public imagination in a huge way and fittings like bi-fold doors have allowed us to open up our homes and businesses in a way that was previously impossible. Being able to push aside glazing to provide easy access to the garden has its advantages but it’s important to ensure these open-plan spaces are adequately heated in order to make them as welcoming as possible. We take a look at ceramic infrared heaters and why they make excellent heating solutions for indoor-outdoor spaces.
What makes ceramic products good outdoor heaters?
Infrared panels make fantastic indoor heaters, but for large, open-plan interiors that are tricky to heat, ceramic products may be the better option. Ceramic heaters use longwave infrared which is able to project further and offers a more robust form of heat that will be effective in spacious rooms. Though the heat they use is stronger, they’re different from patio heaters in that their warmth is gentle enough to be used throughout the day as a primary heat source. This makes them an excellent mid-point between panels and halogen heaters. Longwave infrared is easily absorbed by our skin, as well as any surrounding walls and surfaces. Not only does this provide exceptional comfort, it also minimises heat loss from the building overall. For sheltered patios, they also make an inconspicuous, zero-light solution that can be used over long periods of time. The main benefit of infrared is that it doesn’t rely on heating the air to take effect so you never need to worry about heat loss through draughts. Infrared travels directly from the source until it’s absorbed by a solid object – namely the people you want to keep warm!
What kinds of spaces suit ceramic heaters?
Courtyards & Enclosed Outdoor Spaces
This beautiful modern property has an enclosed courtyard that lets in plenty of light but also provides a private space to enjoy the fresh air. As this outdoor space is protected against the elements by the surrounding high walls, the gentle heat of a ceramic heater won’t be offset by any harsh gusts of wind. A heater like the Herschel Aspect XL will provide discreet, reliable warmth and its sleek housing will perfectly blend with the modern design of the property. The multi-level open-plan interior can also greatly benefit from the gentle warmth of ceramic heaters. Herschel’s exceptionally stylish Pulsar ceramic heater is particularly suited to these environments and provides a ceiling mounted heating solution with a wide spread of warmth.
Fully or Partially Sheltered Domestic Spaces
Sheltered patios and covered verandas are great spaces for ceramic heaters because heat can be directed down toward key occupancy areas. Though infrared heat can’t be blown away like the warm air from a convection heater, it’s still best to install ceramic heaters in sheltered spaces because their heat can be offset by gusts of wind that can cool the skin. The structural design of the room in this image allows it to be fully opened out into the garden whilst retaining the roof as a canopy. Ceramic heaters would be perfect for this application as they provide comfortable heat no matter whether the seating area was used as an indoor or an outdoor space. Though this image serves as a great example of an unusual transitional space that could benefit from ceramic heaters, keep in mind that the basic principles still apply. If you have a sheltered outdoor space with low air movement – e.g. a patio that receives shelter from other surrounding buildings, or perhaps a covered outdoor dining area with a permanent roof – a ceramic infrared heater can be a fantastic option.
Commercial Indoor-Outdoor Spaces
Restaurants and bars have been championing the design of indoor-outdoor spaces for years with their alfresco dining areas, romantic rooftop bars and cosmopolitan outdoor cafés. They’re fantastic spaces to enjoy a relaxing drink with friends and never fail to set the scene for a great night out. However, all of the effort expended creating the perfect outdoor dining area can be wasted if it’s fitted with an inadequate heating system. Many businesses are turning to infrared because of its low running costs and direct form of heating. In this image we can see a range of Herschel Aspect XL heaters installed above a sheltered outdoor dining area to keep customers comfortable even during the cool evenings. Their black housing allows them to be fairly unobtrusive against the Mediterranean style décor, and as they produce no light when in operation, their use will have no negative impact on the soft mood lighting produced by the overhead lamps. The awnings provide shelter to reduce air movement, and by fixing the heaters to the underside, all of the longwave infrared produced is directed toward the main occupancy areas of the restaurant.
Versatile Electric Outdoor Heaters
Homes with non-standard, open-plan layouts can be difficult to keep warm but this needn’t be the case; using the direct heat of infrared, you can keep spaces well-heated without worrying about losing any accumulated warmth through air movement. Ceramic heaters are very versatile in terms of their use so be sure to take a look at our excellent range of products if you’re looking for an effective heating system. If you think your space can benefit from electric patio heaters but need further advice and guidance, get in touch with our sales team who will be more than happy to create a free, no obligation quote for your home or business.
Image Sources:
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https://www.herschel-infrared.co.uk/product/aspect-xl/