Materials for Outdoor Cabinetry

Acceptable materials used in the construction of outdoor kitchens and cabinets

The Four Basic Material Groups

• 1. Wood

• 2. Stone, Masonry, Tile

• 3. Stainless Steel

• 4. PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

Remember……… (#1)

• This is an outdoor environment and the rules of Mother Nature apply. Mother Nature is a good mother but somewhat stern in conditional acceptance…. All of her children are not created equally and some fare less well over time. Some, those not prepared for the challenges of their appointed task, don’t do well at all….

• Wood is the premier choice for indoor cabinetry and the virtual basis of the industry. It would seem a logical extension for outdoor use as we’re geared in that direction, however, but, well……

Outdoor Kitchen Caveat #1• Don’t use standard wood cabinets outdoors!

Mother Nature will laugh at you, std. warranties don’t apply and it violates a number of practical applications dealing with EMC, glue adhesion etc….

Wood….

A Vicar taking his morning walk came upon a woman in her garden….

A brief segue…..• To cover or not to cover, that is the question.

1. Open Outdoor Kitchens 2. Covered or Partially Covered

“The degree to which an outdoor kitchen is protected from the elements is directly linked to our flexibility in specifying and using materials in that kitchen.” (daVinci)

Covered Outdoor Kitchens

Uncovered Outdoor Kitchens

Stone, Masonry, Tile

• All good for repelling the forces of Nature. Perfect for countertop and sidewall protection but limited in forming cabinet enclosures and protected openings.

• “Part of the unwritten general esthetic of outdoor kitchens and cabinetry is that the form should follow that of the indoor kitchen”… (Socrates)

• Require structural form foundations for enclosures (framing, steel, etc….

Stone, Masonry, Tile

Stone, Masonry, Tile

Stainless Steel (metal)

• The choice for almost all outdoor cooking equipment and thus a natural extrapolation to outdoor cabinetry. Stainless steel can be formed to cabinet boxes and doors in much the same fashion as wood. The flexibility and resistance to Nature of stainless steel are somewhat matched by the cost of the material in this application! Grades of stainless steel are a consideration.

A Brief Segue Again….

• Keep in mind…outdoor kitchens differ from indoor kitchens in that they are primarily used for cooking as a function. Cabinets for food storage can be built but are generally limited to refrigerated appliances. Most feasts are intended for two legged designers and sometimes four legged designers best friends.

Stainless Steel (metal)

Stainless Steel (metal)

Stainless Steel (metal)

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins• These are the newest of the outdoor kitchen

cabinet products and offer new degrees of design flexibility and performance. Most of the products are designed to look like wood and some do an excellent job in disguising their (plastic) heritage. The materials are lightweight, easy to form and can be made into cabinet boxes, cabinet doors and even hoods and beams.

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

Outdoor cabinetry can look like interior cabinetry following today’s leading trends….

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

PVC, Polymers and Synthetic Resins

That, that, that, that’s all folks…..