Sunstar · Installation
Sunstar Mounting Height and Angle: 7 to 10 Feet, 15 to 60 Degrees
Sunstar heaters mount between 7 and 10 feet off the floor and tilt from 15 to 60 degrees. The right height and angle depend on your ceiling, how far you want the heat thrown, and whether you're angling or hanging flat.
By Ash · Updated November 10, 2026
What you need
- Tape measure
- Angle finder or digital level
- Stud finder
- Ladder
Sunstar mounting envelope
- SGL35 / MGL35 / SGL50 — overall range
- 7 to 10 feet from floor (varies by model)
- ANGLED install
- 7-9 feet (typical angled mount)
- HORIZONTAL install
- 8-11 feet (SGL35/MGL35), 9-12 feet (SGL50)
- Angle adjustment range
- 15° to 60° (adjustable bracket)
- Heater-to-heater spacing
- 8-18 feet angled, 8-16 feet horizontal (varies by model)
Step by step
Measure floor to ceiling at the mount point
Most residential patios are 8-10 feet. You want the heater between 7 and 10 feet off the floor, so measure what you have to work with.
Pick angled vs horizontal
Angled (15°-60° tilt) throws heat down and forward — best when you want to heat a seating area some distance from the mount. Horizontal (flat) throws heat straight down — best when the seating is directly below.
Lock in the mounting height
Horizontal mount: 8-12 feet depending on model. Angled mount: 7-9 feet. Use the model-specific spec — SGL50 mounts slightly higher horizontal because its 50k BTU output has longer radiant reach.
Set the tilt angle
Shallow (15°-30°) throws heat farther out. Steep (45°-60°) concentrates heat closer to the mount. Adjust after a test fire — angle is adjustable in the field.
Verify clearance from combustibles
Pull the Sunstar Clearance Chart PDF. The clearance envelope above and beside the heater is model-specific. Wood framing, vinyl soffit, and combustible ceiling finishes need the chart's minimum clearance.
Common mistakes
- Mounting under 7 feet to 'feel more heat'. Below 7 feet, people's heads get uncomfortably close to the radiant source AND you violate the mounting spec. Always 7 feet minimum.
- Setting the angle too steep for a covered patio. A 60° angle on a 10-foot ceiling throws heat down and toward the mount wall — not out to the seating area. Shallower angles (15°-30°) work better on covered patios.
Hands-on tips
- Test-fire the heater after mounting — 20 minutes at high output. Walk around the heated zone and adjust the angle if you feel cold spots.
- If you have a 12-foot ceiling, extend mounting hardware DOWN to get the heater into the 7-10 foot envelope. Mounting straight to a 12-foot ceiling puts the heater above spec.
Questions people ask
What's the heater-to-heater spacing for a long patio?
8-18 feet angled or 8-16 feet horizontal depending on model. Spread heaters evenly across your patio length. Too close and you double-heat the overlap zone (uncomfortable). Too far and you get cold gaps.
Can I ceiling-mount Sunstar directly on a plywood ceiling?
Only with the clearance called out in the Sunstar Clearance Chart. Most plywood ceilings need a non-combustible shield between the heater mount and the plywood. Pull the PDF for the specific spec.
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