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We Can Create Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

Do you love grilling outdoors on your deck or patio? If so, you may be considering upgrading your backyard cooking and dining area to the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. At IBD Outdoor Rooms, we specialize in creating outdoor kitchens and other outdoor living spaces. We can work with you to design exactly what you want and need to be able to fully enjoy spending time outside with your family and friends. We would like to tell you more about the types of services we provide to our customers to help you plan your perfect outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchen Islands

We started our business designing outdoor kitchen islands, and we continue to specialize in this area. We work hard to be sure that your island will work in the outdoor space you choose, fits your decor, and meets all safety requirements and local building codes. We offer six different basic designs that can be customized, mixed, and matched to accommodate your outdoor kitchen area. No matter which of these six designs you choose, we can make any adjustments or additions you need to create your ultimate outdoor kitchen island. We will carefully take every measurement to ensure the plans are drawn exactly to scale to be sure your island is correctly designed from the beginning. We can incorporate your grill into the island, even if you have a Kamado-style cooker such as the Big Green Egg. We also provide both stainless steel and Naturecast cabinet units to give you the storage area you need in your outdoor kitchen for convenience and aesthetic purposes.

Wood-Fired Ovens

If you have always wanted to cook a wood-fired pizza at home, IBD Outdoor Rooms can design the perfect wood-fired oven unit for your outdoor kitchen. With five different design options, we can also add extra components to your wood-fired oven, such as a wider base cabinet and a firewood holder. The added bonus of having a wood-fired oven in your outdoor kitchen is that it can be used as a fireplace throughout the year, which allows you to enjoy your outdoor living space even when the temperatures drop.

Outdoor Fireplaces

To add the perfect focal point to your outdoor kitchen, IBD Outdoor Rooms can design a fireplace or fire pit that suits your tastes. We even offer eclectic Art of Fire fireplaces that will give your backyard a unique and artsy look. We do strongly recommend that you hire a chimney and fireplace technician who is certified by the National Fireplace Institute (NFI) or the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to install any fireplace or fire pit we have designed. This will protect you for important safety reasons because these technicians know exactly what they are doing. Additionally, many manufacturers’ warranties will be voided if you do not hire a certified technician to do the installation job.

Considering an outdoor kitchen? Contact IBD Outdoor Rooms to learn more about your options to create the outdoor living space of your dreams.

How IBD Outdoor Rooms Builds Cabinets

When designing the ultimate outdoor kitchen for your backyard, choosing quality cabinets is an essential part of the planning process. In an earlier blog post, we discussed several construction mediums that outdoor cabinets may be constructed from, but each has its drawbacks.

Here at IBD Outdoor Rooms, we specialize in designing and constructing outdoor kitchens, and would like to share with you some helpful information regarding the outdoor kitchen cabinet construction and finishing materials we use.

Because of the weight of concrete blocks and their tendency to crack due to water absorption, we choose to use metal and HardieBoard when constructing our cabinets. As a result, our units can be placed on raised decks and other weight restrictive areas. We avoid building units from wood due to their likelihood of catching fire once the wood has dried out.

We create our cabinet interiors using 22 gauge galvanized G-90. We begin with flat metal and bend our own stud and track so we can control the integrity of the structure.

After forming the stud and track, we then construct the island to the customer’s specs.  The metal is spot-welded to form the unit.  After the spot-welding, the welds are re-galvanized to prevent rust.

The exterior is constructed of HardieBoard, which is designed to withstand the outdoor elements.  This material is attached to the frame with glue and then screwed into the studs.  All seams are then sealed to prevent as much water penetration into the interior as possible.

The exterior of the islands can then be finished in your product of choice, stone, brick, stucco, tile, stainless steel, various wood or polymer finishes. Each finishing product has its pros and cons – to learn more, be sure to check out our last blog post!

Units will then be shipped to the dealer or taken to a job site for installation.

Choosing the Best Cabinets for Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you are planning the ultimate outdoor kitchen for your backyard, choosing the best cabinets is an important decision. You want to have plenty of covered storage space for your outdoor kitchen, and you also should carefully consider the type of material used to construct the cabinets. You want to be sure your cabinets can withstand exposure to all the weather elements so that they will last without fading or becoming damaged. IBD Outdoor Rooms specializes in designing and constructing outdoor kitchens, and we would like to share with you some information about four materials from which outdoor kitchen cabinets are manufactured.

Polymer

A synthetic material similar to plastic, polymer is more technically known as HDPE, or high density polyethylene. Also known as “marine-grade” polymer because it is also used in boating technology, this type of material is resistant to rust, rot, and other forms of deterioration. Stain-resistant, polymer has the benefit of UV inhibitors that resist fading from the sun. This material is easy to clean and is also impervious to water and moisture. However, you are limited in color choices with polymer, which does not have a lot of visual detail. And, if you are conscious of the environment, you may not want to choose outdoor kitchen cabinets made from polymer as it is constructed from petrochemicals.

Stainless Steel

Resistant to corrosion and staining, stainless steel can be an excellent material choice for outdoor kitchen cabinets. If you like the look of metal, you will love having strong and durable kitchen cabinets either made from stainless steel or coated in stainless steel. Another plus to stainless steel outdoor kitchen cabinets is that they will match your stainless steel gas grill and other outdoor kitchen components to give a uniform look. There are a couple of downsides to this material as it can become very hot in the sunlight. Stainless steel is also difficult to keep clean from fingerprints and oil stains unless it is protected by a special finish.

Wood

Only the right types of wood can be used to construct outdoor kitchen cabinets, and these types include teak, cypress, and ipe. Outdoor kitchen cabinets made from wood also should be treated appropriately for protection from the elements. If you want a warm appearance for your outdoor kitchen, wooden cabinets can be your best choice. You get a beautiful visual detail from the wood grain that you cannot with stainless steel or polymer. A big disadvantage of wooden outdoor kitchen cabinets is the amount of care needed to keep them looking good and in their best shape. Wood can easily fade and break down without the proper care.

Masonry

Constructed from concrete blocks or a metal frame covered in a brick, decorative stone, or stucco veneer, masonry cabinets are extremely resistant to weather effects and the elements. This type of outdoor kitchen cabinets also gives you that “built-in” look. On the downside, this type of cabinets can be the most expensive to install as they are quite labor-intensive to assemble and install. You also must purchase additional exterior components such as doors and drawers for masonry cabinets.

Tile

Tile produces a great look on an island but will need some maintenance to stay looking perfect.  Tiles need to be sealed on a regular basis to ensure that the grout does not become stained by the elements.  Even with the added time it takes, it does make for a beautiful island.  Also, if weight is a problem, tile is much lighter than stone or brick.

Stucco

If you have stucco on your home now and want to match the exterior you may choose to use stucco.  Stucco can be colored to match any existing areas.  One of the downsides of stucco is the staining that can occur if it’s not cleaned regularly.

Want to know more about outdoor kitchen cabinets? Reach out to IBD Outdoor Rooms to find out about your available options.

Why You Should Add a Wood Fired Oven to Your Outdoor Living Space

Creating the ultimate dream backyard living space is one of our specialties at IBD Outdoor Rooms. From outdoor fireplaces to outdoor kitchen islands, we can design and build the perfect outdoor spot for your home. When we have customers who are planning their outdoor kitchens as well as customers who want to update their current outdoor kitchen area, one feature we recommend installing is a wood fired oven component that will be custom built to fit the oven of your choice. After you select your oven, it will be sent to IBD Outdoor Rooms to be installed into the component and then shipped to you in one contained unit. We would like to share with you why you should consider equipping your outdoor kitchen, patio, or deck with a wood fired oven.

What is the history of the wood fired oven?

According to The Alternative Daily, many different cultures have used wood fired ovens since ancient times, but the most famous ovens are the ones that were designed by the ancient Romans. Still found in homes across Italy, these wood fired ovens resemble a large round chamber with an opening in the front for venting. These ovens are constructed from stone or terra cotta brick.

I know I can make great pizza in a wood fired oven. What other foods can I cook in this type of oven?

You can cook just about anything in a wood fired oven. This type of oven is great for baking bread, roasting chicken, meat, and vegetables, and baking casseroles

Why is pizza so good when it is baked in a wood fired oven?

The secret has to do with the high temperatures achieved in a wood fired oven. A wood fired oven can get as hot as 700 degrees, and this allows rapid rise spring to the dough. This rapid rise produces a crust with dimension and structure. If you like your pizza crust to be crispy yet tender, you will love being able to bake pizza in your new outdoor wood fired oven.

What is the best advantage of using a wood fired oven?

According to many renowned chefs all over the world, the greatest benefit of roasting and baking anything in a wood fired oven is the even distribution of high heat. A metal oven can only get as hot as 500 degrees, and, even worse, it cannot retain that heat because the heat gets reflected off the walls. A wood fired oven that is constructed from clay, brick, ceramic, or tile can keep temperatures up to 700 degrees and will radiate these high temperatures evenly over time. The evenness of the heat distribution adds to the flavor of what is being baked or roasted.

What are other advantages to using a wood fired oven?

Other than giving food an enhanced flavor, wood fired ovens give you versatility, ambiance, and reliability. Your friends and family will enjoy the complete sensory experience of sitting by the stove while your food is cooking.

If you are interested in adding a wood fired oven to your outdoor living space, contact IBD Outdoor Rooms. We can help you make this project a success.

Start Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen Today

Even though we know spring will eventually be here, the winter months can feel even longer, especially if you are an outdoor person. Why not take advantage of this time to plan your dream outdoor kitchen and living space? At IBD Outdoor Rooms, we specialize in creating and designing outdoor kitchens that can suit every need and fit every budget. To help you get started with your outdoor kitchen plans, we wanted to share with you some planning tips from HGTV that can organize your desires.

Question Yourself

During your first stages of planning your outdoor living space, think about what you want and need from your outdoor kitchen. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How often will I cook outside?
• What are my grill options? Propane, natural gas, or charcoal?
• What foods do I want to cook outside?
• What do I want to store in my outdoor kitchen? Grilling tools, plates, entertainment equipment?
• Do I want my outdoor kitchen to include a dining and entertainment area?
• Would I like to be able to wash my hands and/or dishes outside?
• Will I need a space for a refrigerator?
• Do I want my outdoor kitchen to be close to the house or a separate space?

Decide Where the Outdoor Kitchen Will Be Located

Many of our customers at IBD Outdoor Rooms choose to place their new outdoor kitchen adjacent to their homes. Your house provides a natural shelter as the walls of your house protect your appliances from the sun and wind. It is also very simple to extend a roof overhang to protect your outdoor kitchen from rain and snow. If you are on a strict budget, it is much less expensive to run utility lines from your home to your outdoor kitchen. However, you may want to place your outdoor kitchen further away from your house, especially if you are considering building a fully-equipped kitchen. No matter where you decide to build your new outdoor living space, you should be sure to check your local building codes to see what exactly you can and cannot do. Our staff at IBD Outdoor Rooms can help you with these details.

Maximize Your Outdoor Kitchen Layout

Now that you have decided on its location, you can begin to plan exactly how you want your outdoor kitchen to look. Similar to indoor kitchen layouts, your outdoor kitchen configuration will depend on its site, how much space you have, your cooking style, and your budget. While you can choose a straight line kitchen built up against a wall or a U-shaped layout that mimics an indoor kitchen, IBD Outdoor Rooms specializes in installing outdoor kitchen islands. A natural entertaining focal point, an outdoor kitchen island combines all of your cooking appliances into one area. We can customize an island to suit your specific needs. We can also assist you with choosing your cabinets, countertops, and flooring. And, you can leave all of the utility planning and design to us.

Ready to start planning your dream outdoor kitchen? Click here to contact IBD Outdoor Rooms to consult with our staff concerning your plans.