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