While Tampa winter days might seem chilly to those that live here, in truth we are extremely blessed to live in one of the warmest climates in the United States. And because Florida gets most of its rain in the summer, the winter months could well be the prime ones for enjoying time on your deck.
Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air can be vital to our health and sense of well being. Thanks to a variety of innovative deck heating systems, the outdoors can be a cozier place. What better way to enjoy the end of a day spent doing fall yard-work or walking in the neighborhood, than curling up beside your deck heater and grilling something nice on the barbeque?
For homeowners, creating a truly usable deck space increases the value of your home, almost creating a whole other room in your home, but with far less effort than an actual interior renovation. So what are some of the options for making outdoor living comfortable?
A covered deck has the advantage of never getting wet, and of keeping some heat in. For some, a roof over their deck might take away that open-sky feeling they love, but for others, it is just what they want to keep it cozy. It's a matter of personal choice. Translucent plastic corrugated roof panels might provide the best of both worlds, and are relatively easy to install for a person with carpentry skills.
To keep the deck cozy, consider one of the many options for deck heating. There are several sizes of the lamp-post style of gas heater. Table-top heaters will give you about a 10-foot circumference of heat, while the taller heaters can give off about 20 feet of heat. These can be quite stylish, with an old fashioned design and made of sleek metal. These tend to come with safety features that shut them off completely if they get tilted, so there is no worry of it catching your wooden deck or wicker patio furniture on fire.
Infrared heaters are another option for deck and patio heating. Some are free-standing and some can mount to a wall. While they are a little less stylish than the lamp-post variety, they are surprisingly energy efficient and don't have any burning gas fumes.
If your outdoor space is cement, you may be able to have an outdoor, wood burning fireplace. There area variety of ceramic outdoor stoves. If you are considering this, check local bylaws to find out if wood fires are legal in your area.
With the variety of options available in deck heating and weatherproofing, you should be able to find an affordable and attractive way to make your deck or patio comfortable all year long.