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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.

Outdoor Kitchen with Cabinets - Concord NC

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.

By Sheryl Isenhour | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on Choosing the Best Cabinets for Your Outdoor Kitchen