Bromic Tungsten gas patio heater mounted above a commercial terrace

August 5, 2026 Premium Backyard

Patio Heating for Restaurants and Hospitality Terraces in Canada

A warm terrace is more seats, a longer season, and happier guests. For Canadian restaurants, cafes, and hospitality spaces, outdoor heating isn't a luxury, it's revenue. Here's how to heat a commercial patio properly with Bromic, without wasting money or fighting the wind.

Planning a space now? Request a free heating layout and we'll spec it with you.

Why radiant, not the mushroom heaters

Standard freestanding mushroom heaters warm the air, which the wind then carries away, and they eat floor space and tank swaps. Bromic Smart-Heat radiant heaters warm people and tables directly, mount overhead or on walls out of the way, and keep working in breezy, open conditions. For a commercial patio that runs night after night, radiant is the difference between comfortable guests and wasted gas.

Bromic Tungsten gas patio heater mounted above a commercial terrace

Gas for open terraces, electric for covered

Open-air terraces with a gas line usually want the Tungsten Gas range, up to 43,000 BTU each, the most heat per unit and the lowest running cost off natural gas. Covered patios, pergolas, and low-clearance ceilings suit the Tungsten Electric or the premium Platinum Electric, clean, quiet, no ventilation needed. If the space is on display and finished, the Platinum Gas adds the ceramic glass look. Full breakdown in Gas or Electric Patio Heaters?

Zone it, or you'll burn money

The single biggest commercial saving is zoning. With Affinity controllers, split the terrace into zones and heat only the sections with guests in them. Slow Tuesday with two tables occupied? Run one zone, not twelve heaters. Staff work it from a wall plate; you manage it from the app. On a busy patio the controller pays for itself in a season. We cover the math in What It Costs to Run a Patio Heater in Canada.

Heat and light in one over the tables

Where you want ambience as well as warmth, the Bromic Eclipse delivers radiant heat and a dimmable LED from one pendant, so a single fixture does both jobs over a dining table.

How many heaters do you need?

It depends on ceiling height, how exposed the space is, and mounting positions, not just square footage. Rather than guess, send us your dimensions and a couple of photos and we'll return a layout with heater count, placement, and controls. Start with our Bromic buyer's guide for the model overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best patio heater for a restaurant in Canada?

For open terraces, a wall or ceiling-mounted gas radiant heater like the Bromic Tungsten Gas gives the most heat at the lowest running cost. For covered patios, electric radiant heaters suit better. Zoning with Affinity controllers keeps the running cost down across a commercial space.

How many patio heaters do I need for my terrace?

It depends on ceiling height, how open the space is, and where you can mount them, more than on floor area alone. Send us your dimensions and photos and we'll spec the heater count and placement at no charge.

Are overhead heaters better than freestanding for restaurants?

Usually yes. Overhead and wall-mounted radiant heaters free up floor space, can't be knocked over, need no tank swaps, and warm people directly, which works better in wind than freestanding mushroom heaters.

How do restaurants keep patio heating costs down?

Zone the space and heat only occupied sections with app and wall controls, choose natural gas where a line is available, and size the heaters to the space instead of over-heating it.