There’s a specific kind of joy that comes with the first genuinely warm week in Canada. After months of ice and grey skies, the moment you can step outside without a heavy jacket and actually linger — it feels like a small miracle.
But “warm week” is doing some work in that sentence. Canadian spring is famously unreliable. In Alberta, a sunny 18°C afternoon in April can turn into a cold snap by evening. In Ontario and Quebec, May still delivers nights that need a light jacket at minimum. Even on the West Coast, spring evenings can carry enough of a chill that sitting on the patio becomes a short-lived affair if you’re not prepared.
The good news is that with a bit of preparation — a clean space, good lighting, and the right heat source — you can genuinely extend your outdoor season by weeks on either end. Here’s how to actually do that.
Step 1: Start With a Proper Spring Clean-Up
Before you can enjoy your outdoor space, you have to reclaim it. Winter leaves behind a combination of grime, mildew, pollen, and general debris that makes any patio or deck feel unwelcoming, even on a warm day.
Start with your surfaces. Hard flooring like concrete, tile, and composite decking responds well to a thorough mop with a good cleaning solution. A flat-head mop with a wringing mechanism — like the Rocket Mop PVA — is far more effective on outdoor hard surfaces than a traditional mop, since it applies firm, even pressure and wrings out fully so you’re not pushing dirty water around. It’s also useful for removing the sticky residue that pollen leaves on outdoor floors in May and June.
For a broader look at spring cleaning strategies for Canadian homes, check out our blog on spring cleaning tips for Canadian homes.
After the floors, wipe down outdoor furniture, clear any debris from gutters and drainage areas near your patio, and sweep out corners where dead leaves and dirt tend to accumulate over winter. This stage sets the tone for everything else — it’s hard to feel relaxed in a space that doesn’t feel cared for.
Step 2: Add Warmth So You Can Actually Use It in the Evenings
This is the part that most people skip — and then wonder why they’re only getting two hours of patio time per day instead of six.
Canadian spring evenings cool down fast. Once the sun dips, temperatures in most provinces drop by 8–12°C within an hour or two. Without a heat source, that means retreating indoors just when outdoor time is actually starting to feel enjoyable.
An electric infrared patio heater solves this problem cleanly and permanently. Unlike propane heaters, electric infrared units produce no fumes, require no fuel storage, and are safe to use on covered patios and under pergolas. The heat they produce is radiant — meaning it warms you directly, like sunlight, rather than warming the air around you. That’s important outdoors where the air doesn’t stay warm for long.
Which Veito Heater Is Right for Your Space?
The Veito collection at Redfern has become a popular choice for Canadian patios and decks, and it’s easy to see why — the units are weatherproof, have clean modern designs, and come in different output levels to suit different-sized spaces.
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Veito® Blade 1500W — The most popular option for covered patios and smaller deck areas. At 1500W it comfortably heats a sitting area of about 10–12 square metres, and the slim blade design mounts cleanly to a wall or ceiling with minimal visual footprint. Water-resistant and remote-controlled.
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Veito® Blade S 2500W — For larger deck spaces or semi-open areas where heat dissipates more quickly, the 2500W version delivers noticeably stronger coverage. Good choice for entertaining areas that seat 6+ people. Must be installed by a licensed Electrician.
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Veito® Aero S 1500W — A freestanding floor model that works well in situations where wall or ceiling mounting isn’t possible. Compact and portable with a clean minimalist profile.
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Veito® Aero 2500W — The high-output floor-standing option for larger open spaces, garages, or covered carports. Must be installed by a licensed Electrician.
If you need a flexible mounting solution, the Veito® Deluxe Stainless Steel Heater Stand is available separately and works with the Blade 1500w and Aero 1500w models — useful if you want to move the heater between different areas of your outdoor space. Since this one is very heavy, it is ideal to use in areas that are very windy, as it will not fall down. Tiva heavy duty stands also works with Veito 1500w models.
You can browse the full outdoor heating range to compare models and find what fits your setup.
Step 3: Set Up Lighting for the Evenings
Good outdoor lighting does two things at once: it extends the usable hours of your space well past sunset, and it creates an atmosphere that makes the space feel intentional and welcoming rather than functional and forgotten.
String lights remain the gold standard for patio ambience because they work with almost any space and don’t require hardwiring. The Redfern Home + Health Smart Outdoor Lights are a strong option here — app-controlled, available in different configurations, and designed for Canadian outdoor conditions. Being able to set schedules, adjust brightness, or change colours without going outside to a control panel makes them genuinely more practical for everyday use than traditional string lights.
Position lighting at two or three different levels for the best effect: overhead string lights create the canopy feel, low-level path or step lighting adds definition to the space, and a lantern or table light on a dining or coffee table anchors a seating area warmly.
Step 4: Think About Furniture Arrangement and Flow
This one is free and often overlooked. A lot of Canadian outdoor spaces have great potential that never gets realised because the furniture arrangement is a holdover from move-in day rather than a deliberate choice.
Think about how you actually use the space. If you eat outdoors, the dining area should be closest to your kitchen entry, not on the opposite side of the deck. If you sit out in the evenings to unwind, your heater should be positioned so the primary seating is within its effective range — not mounted in a corner where it’s heating the fence.
For most patios, the most functional layout centres on one or two zones: a dining or gathering area, and a quieter lounging spot if space allows. Separating these two zones with something as simple as a different rug or a change in furniture type makes the space feel larger and more purposeful.
Step 5: Cool Nights, Warm Comfort—Right on Your Patio
One of the biggest returns on outdoor space investment in Canada is using it in late April, early May, and again in September and October — months when most people have mentally checked out of outdoor living but the weather is actually quite pleasant during the day.
An outdoor patio heater transforms how—and how long—you use your space. With a Veito heater in place, evenings at 8–10°C feel comfortably inviting, not something to endure. The result: up to four additional months of outdoor living—without compromise.
The iQ Heat® Wave is another option worth considering for those who want an outdoor-capable infrared heater that’s freestanding and repositionable — useful for garages, covered areas, or any space where fixed mounting isn’t practical.
For more ideas on maintaining comfortable indoor and outdoor temperatures through Canada’s shifting seasons, our blog on achieving true indoor comfort in Canada covers the full picture.
Quick Spring Patio Refresh Checklist
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Deep clean all hard flooring and outdoor surfaces
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Wipe down and inspect outdoor furniture
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Install or reposition an infrared patio heater for evening use
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Add or refresh outdoor lighting at multiple levels
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Rearrange furniture to reflect how you actually use the space
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Clear drainage areas around the patio before spring rains
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Add a small side table or accessory piece to each seating zone
Browse the full outdoor home collection at Redfern, including infrared heaters, smart outdoor lights, and outdoor essentials. Free shipping on orders over $99 across most of Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to start using my patio in spring in Canada?
This depends heavily on where you live. In Vancouver and Victoria, patios can be usable from late March with a heater. In Ontario and Quebec, late April to early May is more realistic. On the Prairies, consistent patio weather doesn’t usually arrive until mid-May, though sunny April afternoons can be enjoyed with a good heater in place. The key is not waiting for warm evenings — that’s what the heater is for.
Are electric infrared patio heaters safe under a covered patio or pergola?
Yes, when installed or used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Electric infrared heaters produce no combustion byproducts and are safe for use in covered outdoor spaces — unlike propane or natural gas patio heaters, which require ventilation. Always maintain the recommended clearance distance from combustible materials like wood, fabric, and dried vines, and check that the heater is rated for outdoor use (all Veito models are).
How much does it cost to run an electric patio heater?
A 1500W heater running for three hours per evening at an average Canadian electricity rate of around $0.14 per kWh costs approximately $0.63 per session. Over a full patio season of 90 evenings, that’s around $57. At 2500W, roughly double that. Compare this to the cost of propane refills or the lost enjoyment of not using your space — it’s extremely cost-effective.
What’s the best way to clean a composite deck or concrete patio after winter?
A firm-head flat mop or squeeze mop — like the Rocket Mop PVA — works well on both surfaces. Use a mild all-purpose cleaner diluted in warm water for general grime, and a slightly stronger solution for mildew spots. For stubborn stains on concrete, a paste of baking soda and water left for 15 minutes before scrubbing handles most cases. Avoid harsh bleach-based products on composite decking as they can fade the material over time. See our cleaning products range for tools suited to different surfaces.
Do I need a wall mount for a Veito heater, or can I use a floor stand?
Both options are available. Wall or ceiling mounting gives you a permanent installation with a clean look and keeps floor space free — ideal for dining areas. This comes with all Veito heaters. The Veito® Deluxe Stainless Steel Heater Stand is a good alternative if you want flexibility to reposition the heater between areas or aren’t able to mount it structurally. Both the Blade and Aero models are compatible.
Are smart outdoor lights difficult to install?
Most string-style smart outdoor lights are designed for straightforward DIY installation. The Redfern Smart Outdoor Lights connect via app and don’t require hardwiring — they plug into a standard outdoor outlet. Setup typically takes under 30 minutes and includes hanging the lights at the desired position and connecting them to your home Wi-Fi through the companion app.