Pros and Cons of Building an Outdoor Kitchen
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Transform your backyard into an entertainer’s dream where you can spend time with loved ones. An outdoor kitchen creates a home where you can host family and friends over sizzling steaks on a summer evening. Any major home improvement project comes with significant costs, so it helps to weigh the pros and cons of adding an outdoor kitchen before starting this project.
What is an Outdoor Kitchen?
Let’s set the record straight by clarifying what an outdoor kitchen is - an open-air cooking and dining area. Essentially, if you have the tools and equipment to prepare, cook, and grill outdoors, you have an outdoor kitchen. They often come with an adjoining sitting area as well, where guests can enjoy meals or a drink. You can also make it as basic as a grill and sink with a few cabinets, or a modern space with heavy-duty appliances like a refrigerator or oven.
Compared to interior kitchens, they will require more careful planning since they are considered to be an expensive feature that not all owners have. These spaces are a definite plus for residents who enjoy cooking and hosting outdoors and can massively boost your lifestyle, bringing life to your home's outdoor space. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy having a leisurely meal under the open sky?
How to Ensure a Weather-Resistant Outdoor Kitchen
Choosing Durable Materials
Maximize the lifespan of your furniture and appliances by opting for durable materials. Outdoor kitchens have to take a heavier and more direct impact from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sunlight. To avoid replacing or fixing your furnishings after every downpour, choose materials highly resistant to heat, stains, and weather.
As a result, stainless steel, aluminum, and tile are popular choices for cabinets and countertops. You also have to ensure your heavy-duty appliances are designed to withstand harsh outdoor weather conditions all year round. Another thing to consider is installing waterproof cabinets. Outdoor cabinetry is built differently as they are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, rust, corrosion, and stains from everyday use of your outdoor kitchen.
Installing Protective Coverings
Give your outdoor kitchen some added protection by installing a protective covering. This addition could be anything from a roof extension of your main house to building an independent pergola or gazebo. Aside from providing some privacy, the latter options are also a great way to utilize your outdoor space with extra shade. If you’re willing to go the extra mile by investing in stylish furnishings and hardscaping, these other affordable kitchen upgrades can boost property value and level up your kitchen space. Aside from that, consider installing outdoor grill covers that protect your grill while surviving all types of weather plus the sun’s damaging effects.
Flooring Considerations
Choose durable and slip-resistant flooring to avoid accidents in your outdoor kitchen. Where there’s cooking there's always the risk of water from the sink, wine from a glass, or hot oil from a pan getting splashed somewhere. As a result, it’s crucial to choose the flooring that can effectively handle such slip-ups. Skip sensitive materials like wood and use durable surfaces like concrete or pavers. If you want something more stylish, you can also opt for matte tiles that are stylish and slip-resistant. Remember that flooring is considered your foundation when building your outdoor kitchen so it must be durable and easy to maintain.
Pros and Cons of Building an Outdoor Kitchen
Pros
1. Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space
Improve your home’s curb appeal by adding an outdoor kitchen to enhance your home's living spaces. Aside from being a functional addition that allows owners to host guests while cooking, an outdoor kitchen can also be a stylish uplift with the right furniture and appliances. It is considered an extra living space that allows one to enjoy the outdoors, redefining home cooking and entertaining.
2. Increase Your Home Value
Boost your portfolio’s value with a well-designed outdoor kitchen space. Let’s face it, most property owners don’t go out of their way to build a gazebo with a built-in sink, cabinets, and grill merely to thrill and entertain guests. This space is beneficial for homeowners who value a lifestyle that allows them to cook and enjoy outdoor meals while benefiting from the outdoor breeze.
Cons
1. Upfront Cost
Prepare to spend big bucks if you want a useful and beautiful outdoor kitchen space. Whether you’re leaning towards a simple barbeque and grill with a sitting area, or a state-of-the-art complex with industrial appliances, the base cost of setting up an outdoor kitchen can be steep. After all, you have to consider laying the groundwork for plumbing and possibly electricity. There are also the added costs of labor and materials to consider, which contribute to your bottom line.
2. Consistent Maintenance
Keeping your kitchen in premium condition all year round requires consistent maintenance. An outdoor kitchen is useful but is also another space you have to keep clean and functional for everyday use. As a result, the recurrent costs of cleaning, weatherproofing, and potential repairs can be difficult for some homeowners to keep up with long-term.
Conclusion
An enjoyable outdoor kitchen space where you cook and host guests can enhance your home life and be a space where you create memories for yourself and your loved ones. For one thing, it makes your property more appealing, especially if you value the lifestyle an outdoor kitchen lets you afford. It also boosts your home’s market value, which can be an advantage if you plan to sell it in the future. On the other hand, setting up a quality outdoor space can get expensive fast, along with the ongoing maintenance costs for an outdoor kitchen. If an outdoor kitchen design is part of your home remodeling plans, go for durable materials and protective coverings to extend the lifespan of your investment.
