When evening settles and the wind turns your terrace into a chill zone, the wrong heater has everyone huddled under blankets. The right one? It keeps conversation going and the drinks clinking. No guesswork—just matching infrared output to how your space is laid out and insulated. What actually matters, technically Infrared terrace heaters work by radiant heat. They warm people and surfaces directly, not the air. So you feel the comfort faster, and it stays where you’re sitting. We size these in kilowatts, and the practical starting point is room volume and heat loss. For a sheltered, well-insulated terrace, about 1 kW per 10–12 m² usually balances comfort and running cost. For exposed north-facing spots or older glazing, plan closer to 1 kW per 8–10 m². Go with an electric heater that uses a carbon fiber element or a quartz tube for quick heat-up, and pair it with an adjustable thermostat so output matches the moment, not just the weather. Why this works on a terrace A terrace isn’t a sealed room. Air moves, glass leaks heat, and comfort disappears fast. Radiant warmth targets the chairs and faces that need it, so you stay comfortable even when the air feels cool. With infrared, you get warmth in seconds, not minutes, and because the heat is directed outward, you’re not wasting energy heating empty sky. That means outdoor evenings stretch naturally, without cold forcing everyone back inside. What to keep in mind Infrared heat does its best work when the angle and distance are right. Mount the unit high enough to spread warmth across the seating area, but not so high the output feels thin. Make sure the IP rating is suitable for outdoor use, and run it on a dedicated circuit to avoid overloading. One real-world note: radiant heat warms what it can “see.” Drafty corners and shaded spots may need a secondary heater or a small repositioning to even out coverage.