Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity across the United States, and we’re not surprised as to why. They serve as centerpieces for outdoor entertainment, add resale value to your home, and minimize your cleaning responsibilities. What’s not to love?
However, enjoying an outdoor kitchen and designing one from scratch are two very different things. Although designing and decorating can be exciting, it can also be a little overwhelming, especially because you have outdoor elements to take into consideration. Many people struggle to find outdoor kitchen materials that are aesthetically pleasing and able to withstand various weather conditions at the same time.
So, how can you be sure you’re making a good decision? Read on to learn about some important things to consider, as well as our recommendations for the best outdoor kitchen materials.
Before you purchase any product for your outdoor kitchen, there are a few things you should consider. Outdoor kitchens are much different than indoor kitchens, for obvious environmental reasons, so be sure you’re thinking of them during the design process. Here are a few questions we recommend asking before a purchase:
Outdoor kitchen materials need to add to the aesthetic of your backyard and must be weatherproofed to withstand any weather conditions. Here, we’ll run through the best materials for outdoor kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
Cabinetry is one of the toughest things to find when it comes to durable outdoor kitchen materials. You want something that looks natural but is also able to withstand moisture, heat, cold, rust, and dirt. You need the coinciding components like hinges and handles to withstand the elements, too.
One durable outdoor kitchen cabinet material is stainless steel. It looks clean and is both weather-resistant and affordable. However, it does have some drawbacks, as it tends to show dirt, especially fingerprints and streaks, and it gets hot to the touch in the sun.
For those reasons, we believe that there is a better outdoor kitchen material option than stainless steel: marine-grade polymer.
At Zeeland Lumber & Supply, we’re proud to carry NatureKast Weatherproof Cabinetry. NatureKast’s cabinetry is completely weatherproofed, meaning its UV resistance and their no warp, fade, or crack guarantee make it a durable choice for your outdoor kitchen. The cabinets and drawer boxes are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and resin — both man-made polymers that are 100% water resistant and can be cleaned with a quick hose spray down.
The best part? The cabinet doors, drawer fronts, panels, and planks are all created with molds cast from real cypress or teak wood species to give them a natural grain appearance. Their extensive product line ranges from cabinets to grill bases to hoods and is able to be customized with a selection of unique colors and styles.
From its weatherproof guarantee to its customizable styles, we highly recommend using NatureKast cabinetry for your outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor countertops need to endure grease and food spills, high temperatures, and exposure to other environmental conditions like rain, snow, and dirt. Using a durable countertop material is the best way to keep your outdoor kitchen looking beautiful for years after you’ve designed it.
The best material we’ve found for outdoor countertops is porcelain. Porcelain is extremely durable, as its surface doesn’t scratch or fade in the sun. It’s also one of the easiest materials to clean and maintain. Porcelain comes in a variety of colors and finishes, and mimics the beauty of other natural stones.
Aside from that, stainless steel is a durable option for outdoor use. However, as mentioned earlier, it does have the tendency to get hot when exposed to the sun, and if you use too much stainless steel, you run the risk of it overwhelming the aesthetics of your space with a lot of shiny steel.
Similar to countertops, your outdoor kitchen floors will also need to withstand grease, food spills, and exposure to precipitation and dirt. You’ll also want to consider cleanup, so finding something flat and easy to sweep or rinse is important.
Trex composite decking is a great flooring option for your outdoor kitchen. It mimics the natural beauty of a wood deck, but is weatherproofed to ensure durability in any environment. It’s also easy to clean with a simple wash, made from recycled materials, and comes in dozens of color options to fit your style needs.
Are you interested in adding some excitement to your summer and taking your backyard BBQs to the next level? From weatherproofed cabinetry and flooring to beautiful stone countertops, Zeeland Lumber & Supply has all the materials you need to design your ideal outdoor kitchen. Contact us online or give us a call at (888) 772-2119 to speak with one of our outdoor kitchen experts.
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