When planning an outdoor kitchen, you have a lot of choices of materials for the framing, cabinets, countertops, and other parts of the kitchen. Moreover, if you have a patio, should your outdoor kitchen complement it or be its own thing? You should discuss these things with your patio contractor. That said, equip yourself with the knowledge to make the best decisions for your outdoor space.

Outdoor Kitchen Materials

There are different ways of building an outdoor kitchen and it impacts the parts the kitchen will have. We will look at a traditional outdoor kitchen so we can cover the most common parts an outdoor kitchen has.

Outdoor Kitchen Framing Or Structural Materials

The framing or structural material of an outdoor kitchen is like its foundation. The entire kitchen is built on it.

Metal Frames

Metal frames are liked because they are easily available. Moreover, they are extremely durable. You won’t have to worry about your framing breaking by putting a heavy stone slab on it.

However, metal frames don’t like water at all. Moisture corrodes metal frames and it’s more likely if you live in a region that’s close to the ocean or is generally humid. To avoid corrosion, use a corrosion-resistant metal.

Wood Frames

You may already like wood as your home’s stairs and flooring may be wooden, but there are some problems with wood as an outdoor kitchen framing. Wood rots over time and loses its structural integrity. Moreover, it’s also prone to pests. If that wasn’t enough, wood is a combustible material and we are talking about framing for an outdoor kitchen.

Concrete Blocks

Concrete is the building material we all know. It’s durable, doesn’t rot, and isn’t flammable. Many people choose it for this. However, if you want to know about its disadvantages, there are a few. The installation of concrete blocks requires a professional and the process is messier than that of wood or metal frames even though the end result may be better and more durable than those.

Outdoor Kitchen Cladding Materials

Cladding or finish is the appearance of the outdoor kitchen. You may go ahead with cladding directly or use a surface on which cladding will be done depending on the structural material you used.

For metal frames, you need another surface that will be used as something on which cladding is done. Usually, cement board is employed for this purpose. Apart from being a surface for cladding, it also acts as a protective barrier for the metal framing.

On the other hand, if you plan to use concrete blocks as framing, you don’t need cement board because concrete is already a masonry material so any cladding material will adhere to it.

Once you’ve cleared that, there are many cladding options. We will mention the most common ones:

Stucco

Stucco has become a popular siding material and you can use it as a finishing material for your outdoor kitchen too. It offers a slick and modern appearance. Moreover, it’s affordable compared to other finishing materials like natural stones.

On the flip side, stucco doesn’t perform well in regions where moisture is high. Moisture will lead to stucco peeling off.

Stone

Stone cladding offers a rustic appearance that is appreciated by most homeowners. Natural stones are durable and beautiful. There are also many textures and colors of stones. However, the worrying factor about natural stone cladding for most people is the high cost.

Additionally, stone cladding is high maintenance and the stones can pop off forcing you to repair it.

If you’re interested in stone cladding, there is an inexpensive option. It’s artificial stone cladding. It appears like stone and doesn’t cost as much.

Brick

Brick is another traditional material that is known for its longevity. Bricks are lower in cost than natural stones and also require a bit less maintenance. However, its appearance may be dull for some people unless you choose unique colors and patterns.

Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Materials

You need a material for cabinets that can withstand the outdoors so wood may not be the right option. Let’s look into cabinet options other than wood.

Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular material for outdoor kitchens because it matches some of the appliances and performs very well in outdoors. It corrodes, but corrosion-resistant stainless steel doesn’t. So, your cabinets will remain sturdy and functional for years. Moreover, this material is easy to clean. However, scratches may appear on the material, but if you choose a good powder coat, you won’t have to worry about the scratches.

Aluminum

Aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion. It offers the same durability and appearance options as stainless steel. However, it’s more lightweight than stainless steel and can be dented more easily. Moreover, the heat conductivity of aluminum is higher than stainless steel which makes it a bit less desirable for an outdoor kitchen when you can have stainless steel.

Concrete

Concrete can be a good cabinet material as it’s highly durable and heat-resistant. Other materials that act similar to concrete are brick and stone. All of them require professional installation.

PVC

High-quality plastic can be an excellent material for your outdoor cabinets because it doesn’t rust, corrode, or rot. It may be less durable than stainless steel and other options, but it has its benefits.

Moreover, you can choose any color and pattern when it comes to the appearance. You can also get PVC cabinets that appears like wood.

Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

Concrete

Concrete is again on this list as well. It’s a versatile material, so you can use it as a countertop material too. It will appear even better if you select concrete, stone, or brick cabinets and a similar type of cladding. This will make your kitchen appear more rustic and natural.

Concrete is durable and long-lasting. Even though cracks will appear, they are normal for concrete.

Granite

Granite is not only a favorable choice for indoor kitchens but for outdoor kitchens as well. It’s a durable, dense, and stain-resistant material that can withstand the harsh elements of the outdoors.

A major benefit of granite is its appearance. It elevates the aesthetics of the space. However, choose a light-colored granite so it doesn’t heat up under direct sunlight.

Stainless Steel

Another usual suspect for outdoor usage is stainless steel. It’s durable, antibacterial, and low maintenance. Make sure to use corrosion-resistant stainless steel that doesn’t rust.

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are non-porous and easy to clean. However, the grout lines may be difficult to clean. They are less costly than many materials but are also prone to cracking on a slight impact. If you like tiles, choose stone tiles that are costlier, but more durable.

Which materials should not be used as a countertop for your outdoor kitchen? There are a few names that are popular for indoor kitchens, but not suitable for the outdoors. The top on the list is quartz. Then, it’s marble, limestone, bluestone, and laminate countertops.

Conclusion

The process can be fun because you can choose the perfect material for each part of your outdoor kitchen and have it built exactly how you want. Make sure you communicate your preferences with your outdoor kitchen contractor Long Island and whether they are the best for your region.