A good quality cast iron patio heater will be made of a heavy duty cast iron that can better withstand the rigors of being outdoors, especially in harsh weather.  Though you still need to take a little extra care to keep your cast iron heater looking nice, it should look good and work well for years if you are willing to make the effort.  Keeping cast iron looking fresh and new is really not as difficult as some people may believe. 

A cast iron patio heater can be the fireplace kind, the gas-powered tower type of heater, or even a table top heater.  A round cast iron fireplace heater will give a slight oriental touch to the décor of your patio, which promotes relaxation.  The tower type of cast iron patio heater can be set to one side of your patio and perhaps surrounded with other smaller cast iron statues to help with the flow of the décor.  A table top cast iron heater looks good on a natural wood table, or the cast iron can actually be painted to match the table and surrounding décor.

Electric Patio Heater: An electric patio heater can be a great addition to your patio, and can allow you to use your patio all year long.  There are several different types to choose from when you are shopping for an electric patio heater, which gives you the freedom to choose the one that fits best with the type of patio that you have and your particular style.  An electric patio heater can be small and portable, or it can be large and stationery.  You can even buy a patio heater that rotates to spread the heat more evenly.  You can choose to buy an electric patio heater that is decorative enough to display, or one that can be installed so that it is fairly hidden but can still do its job efficiently. 

When considering an electric patio heater, most people would prefer to use one that can be plugged into an electrical outlet as opposed to one that runs on batteries.  Using an electric patio heater that uses an electrical cord, however, means that you should have an electrical outlet located within your patio.  Though it is conceivable that you can plug your electric patio heater into a wall that is inside your home and use an extension cord, this option can be unsightly, uneconomical, and even unsafe. 

If you do not have an electrical outlet on an outside wall in your patio, it is easy enough to have one installed, or you could even install one yourself if you are experienced with this type of procedure.  It is best to install at least two electrical outlets around your patio in case you need to plug in more than just your electric patio heater.