What Are The Best Materials For Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Be it a small family meal or a huge birthday bash at home, having a spacious and well-equipped outdoor kitchen is on the wish list of most homeowners. High-quality outdoor kitchens improve your lifestyle by adding a little more outdoor time. Moreover, a well-designed kitchen can add immense value to your residential property. 

It is crucial to design the outdoor kitchens to withstand all weather conditions, even if all the elements are installed within an undercover alfresco area. The longevity of the outdoor kitchen depends on the materials you choose. Interestingly, these materials can also add to the aesthetics of your outdoor kitchen area. 

Let’s have a look at the fundamental considerations when choosing material for your outdoor kitchen:

      Is it classified to be used outdoors? 

      Is it made to withstand high heat? 

      Is it simple to clean? 

      Does it need refinishing? 

 The next section talks about the best-suited outdoor kitchen materials. 

Best countertop materials for outdoor kitchens

Ensure the selected material for the outdoor countertops can withstand food spills, mess, high heat, grease, and exposure to certain environmental elements such as dust and rain. Some people prefer stone countertops, whereas some go for artificial materials for their chic looks. 

Read more about the various characteristics of high-quality stone countertops here: https://www.caesarstoneus.com/blog/which-stone-countertop-is-best-for-your-kitchen/

Since a wide range of countertop materials are available in the market, making a choice becomes difficult. Here, you will learn about the best materials for outdoor kitchen countertops:

      Tile

Tile is one of the most adaptable materials for experimenting with countertop design elements. Tile, on the other hand, presents its own set of challenges. It isn’t as tough as other materials. It is brittle too. Hence, the tile countertop is susceptible to chipping, so you need to pay careful attention while working on them. 

      Blue stone / limestone 

Limestone and bluestone are also excellent options for people who want to give their outdoor kitchens a natural appearance. Since these are pure stones, these countertops are strong and heavy. Also, these materials are porous, which means they need regular cleaning, maintenance, and sealing.

Like any other natural stones, these two materials are also prone to splitting and cracking. So, there are chances of cracking if you live in a country with higher temperatures; however, it is a rare issue.

      Quartz

Quartz is a sturdy and beautiful countertop material to incorporate into your outdoor kitchens. This material has grown in popularity due to the fact that it’s a very dense and strong material. Moreover, quartz countertops are scratch and stain-resistant, adding to their versatility and functionality.

       Concrete

Concrete countertops are artificial but still provide your outdoor kitchen with a natural ambiance. These countertops are best at handling temperature fluctuations. However, concrete comes under the category of porous materials and will require proper cleaning and regular maintenance. It’s also prone to scratching, so you will need to work on it consciously. 

Best cabinet materials for outdoor kitchens

Kitchen cabinets also have to tolerate a lot, from moisture, mold, high temperature, dust, rain, etc. So, always go for the best material you can afford. The most popular options include the following:

      Stainless steel

Like quartz, stainless steel is one of the best non combustible materials for outdoor kitchen spaces, which is a major advantage in terms of their durability. However, low-quality stainless steel can attract rust, so you must invest in supreme quality corrosion-resistant material. Another key aspect to consider with steel cabinets is craftsmanship. Make sure that the cabinets come with sturdy frames with properly welded edges. 

      Aluminum

Aluminum is another suitable option for outdoor kitchen cabinets because it doesn’t rust, although there are some chances of corrosion. With powder coating, you can make your aluminum corrosion-resistant. 

      PVC and resin

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the more recent forms of outdoor cabinet materials for kitchens. PVC is a synthetic polymer substance that is widely utilized in the plastics industry. It is popular because of the following properties:

      100% weatherproof

      Stain-resistant 

      Rustproof 

PVC is widely used for marine-related applications. One major advantage of PVC cabinets is the ease of cleaning and maintenance. 

However, low-grade PVC or vinyl kitchen cabinets can experience color fading if exposed to UV. Frequent temperature fluctuation can lead to warp. That’s why, if you want to use PVC as outdoor kitchen cabinet material, then go for high-quality PVC from renowned brands. 

Best flooring materials for outdoor kitchens

Most people think that a floor is just a floor. As long as it is perfectly level and isn’t slippery, we don’t focus much on it. Right? Well, there is a lot more to consider when it comes to an outdoor kitchen. 

It should appear beautiful but, more importantly, must be safe to walk on. As it will support heavy kitchen items such as refrigerator, grill, cabinets, and dining furniture, it’s important to go for the best material that can withstand all this. Here are the most popular options to consider: 

      Concrete

Concrete is one of the ideal outdoor kitchen materials because of its durability. Generally, concrete surfaces don’t get cracks. Also, if it is sealed properly, the flooring becomes stain-resistant. So, if you are on a budget and looking for a long-lasting option, concrete can be your best bet.

      Stone

If you are a fan of classic flooring, then natural stone is the best option. A good thing about natural stone is that it looks graceful with almost any architecture and can serve best if you just want to highlight what your kitchen already has. Another advantage of stone flooring is its durability. You can choose from marble, slate, limestone, or even sandstone for the kitchen flooring. 

Please note that most natural stones are porous, which means they can absorb oil and grease and cause discoloration. But you can protect the flooring using a wide range of sealants available in the market.

Closing words 

The selection of outdoor kitchen materials needs to be made with careful consideration. In general, the choice is influenced by the primary features and kitchen appliances that will be used. When choosing a material, cost should not be the main consideration. Rather, design elements, material quality, and environmental conditions must all be examined; after all, this is your outdoor masterpiece!

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