Outdoor Heating Options for Broken Arrow Patios — Extending Your Season
Broken Arrow’s outdoor living season doesn’t have to end when October arrives. With the right outdoor heating, October through March evenings become genuinely comfortable patio time — fall football weekends, Thanksgiving outdoor cooking, New Year’s fire pit gatherings. Here’s a practical guide to outdoor heating options for northeast Oklahoma patios.
Why Outdoor Heating Matters in Broken Arrow
Oklahoma’s winters are cold but not extreme by northern standards. Broken Arrow averages 19 nights below freezing per year — most of the fall and winter is perfectly pleasant with a bit of supplemental heat. October averages 63°F, November 52°F, March 55°F. These months represent 90+ days of outdoor living potential that most homeowners leave on the table without outdoor heating. Compare that to the 90 days of peak summer (June–August) that everyone designs for.
Outdoor Heating Options Compared
Ceiling-Mounted Infrared Heaters (Best for Covered Patios)
Natural gas or electric infrared heaters mounted to a covered patio ceiling are the most effective and convenient outdoor heating solution for covered spaces. They produce radiant heat — warming the people and surfaces in their zone directly, not just the air — which means they work even when it’s breezy. Quality brands:
- Bromic Heating (Platinum and Tungsten Smart-Heat series) — top of the market, excellent build quality, very effective
- Infratech — quality electric infrared, good for areas without convenient gas access
- Calcana — commercial-grade gas heaters often used in restaurant patios
Cost installed: $1,500–$3,500 per unit. A 16×20 covered patio typically needs 2–3 units for complete coverage. Natural gas connection required (permit and inspection).
Outdoor Fireplace (Best Multi-Function Option)
A masonry outdoor fireplace provides heat, ambiance, a focal point for the outdoor space, and year-round visual interest even when not lit. Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces are particularly effective for Oklahoma fall evenings — the radiant heat from a full wood fire is substantial. Gas-burning outdoor fireplaces offer convenience (push-button start, no wood management) with good heat output. Cost: $8,000–$20,000+ depending on size and design. Permanent installation that adds lasting home value.
Fire Pit (Most Social Option)
A fire pit — whether masonry, steel, or a natural gas in-ground installation — creates a gathering area where heat comes from the center and everyone faces in. Less directional heating than infrared panels but a far superior social setting. Wood fire pits in a masonry ring are the classic choice; natural gas fire pit inserts (a burner system set in a decorative gas log or crushed glass bowl) offer push-button convenience. Cost range: $2,000–$12,000+ for permanent masonry installation.
Portable Propane Heaters (Lowest Barrier to Entry)
Portable mushroom-style or pyramid-style propane patio heaters are the least expensive starting point — $150–$400 per unit, no installation. They work reasonably well in calm conditions up to about 35°F ambient. Limitations: ineffective in wind, propane tanks need management, output is modest compared to infrared or fire features. A good starter option, but most homeowners who invest in a real outdoor patio eventually upgrade to a permanent heating solution.
Add Heating to Your Outdoor Living Project
The best time to incorporate outdoor heating is during the initial project design — gas line rough-in and electrical conduit are much easier before concrete is poured. Call 918-779-1317 to discuss adding outdoor heating to your Broken Arrow patio project. We serve all of northeast Oklahoma.
