With “How-To” videos and internet expertise readily available, you may think that you can build your own outdoor kitchen. However, whether you invest in Trex® Outdoor Kitchens™ or another brand, you should be mindful that each outdoor kitchen remodel or project is unique and requires careful decisions about materials and layouts, as well as building codes and installation procedures. As such, here are 5 reasons why we recommend not building your own outdoor kitchen and leaving your project to the experts.
See Related: Considerations for Building an Outdoor Kitchen
1. Nondurable Material Selection
The best way to determine material selection for your outdoor kitchen is to base your decision on knowledge and experience. Without expert consultation, you run the risk of choosing a material that is not durable. Certain materials, such as wood or plastic, do not last long outdoors. Other materials, like aluminum, hold up well but have other drawbacks. Trex Outdoor Kitchens manufactures durable outdoor kitchen cabinets made from weather-resistant 304 or 316 grade stainless steel that can be powder coated in an array of colors, textures, metallics, matte finishes, and realistic wood grains to further hinder degradation. Our outdoor kitchen cabinets also have luxurious features, such as soft-close technology, as well as back and end panels for a finished look to your outdoor kitchen cabinetry. In this case, you are not only investing in quality materials, but also in the knowledge and application of over 20 years of experience working with those materials.
See Related: Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Material Options
2. Improper Layout, Sizing, and Positioning
When investing in an outdoor kitchen, you want to be certain that your kitchen will seamlessly fit – regardless of size, shape, and position of your outdoor space. Without proper tools and experience, choosing the appropriate cabinets for your layout may not be as easy as you think. You could likely end up with a nonfunctional layout or choose the incorrect cabinet styles and sizes. However, the resources that are available through architects and designers provide plenty of guidance for design and 3D layout options. Correct measurements are vitally important, as you want your finished project to fit seamlessly. Since the sales/design team at Trex Outdoor Kitchens has decades of experience with the details of outdoor kitchen design and installation, you will have peace of mind with your outdoor kitchen design from start to finish.
See Related: Outdoor Kitchen Layout Designs & Plans
3. Choosing Nonfunctional Appliances or Amenities
An important piece of the design process of any outdoor kitchen design is choosing appliances and amenities that will be functional and beneficial in your space. It is very common to choose an outdoor grill that is too large for your needs. Choosing a more appropriate size will not only make more sense, but it will also allow you to use that extra space for storage benefits. In addition, with next technology spawning new products, you may not be aware of the latest appliances and amenities that are available. To maximize your outdoor cooking area, you’ll want to select items for your backyard, patio, or rooftop kitchen that will make entertaining a breeze. You’ll want to make sure you’ve chosen the best countertop for an outdoor kitchen as well as other necessary elements. While Trex Outdoor Kitchens does not manufacture any appliances, we work with a handful of manufacturers that our designers can recommend. We also manufacture appliance cabinets that will fit your favorite grill or appliance. Consulting with the experts will guarantee quality manufacturers, appropriate sizes, and functional amenity selection to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen enjoyable for you and your guests.
4. Improper Installation
Installing the ultimate outdoor kitchen has more components and considerations than you may realize. For instance, certain weather effects – like high wind – must be taken into consideration for proper installation. Securing the cabinets to a permanent structure is often required in these areas in accordance with local building codes. Also, proper procedures must be followed so that the cabinets are as weather resistant as possible and that the structural integrity of the cabinet boxes is maintained. The last thing you want to face is having your outdoor kitchen countertop installed – only to realize that your cabinets are not level! To help with this process, the cabinets manufactured by Trex Outdoor Kitchens are shipped to the installation site already pre-assembled. We also provide a professional guide for a perfect finish and ease of installation.
5. Poor Return on Investment
For the reasons outlined above, trying to design and build your own outdoor kitchen is an investment risk. When you want a good return on your investment, you want to do the project once – and only once. If you end up with a poor-quality DIY outdoor kitchen, you will likely have to keep replacing and repairing components, and the additional costs will add up quickly. In addition, if you decide to sell your property in five or ten years, you will want your outdoor kitchen to look as good as it did on day one. Besides for being best served by quality materials, choosing an established company with top rated customer service will ultimately guarantee that your outdoor living space will be a selling point in the years to come. In these regards, attempting a do-it-yourself outdoor kitchen to cut down on costs will only cost more in the long run.
If you made the decision to invest in an outdoor kitchen, we highly recommend turning to architects, designers, and professional installers to ensure that your outdoor kitchen will be designed and built using the best materials, tools, and instructions. As outlined above, there are many components to consider, and you will be best served by specialists for each piece of your outdoor kitchen project. You will want to have the most productive experience with a high return on your investment, and the experts are more than happy to guide you through the process. Take it from us: go with the experts.
Ready to consult the experts for your next outdoor kitchen project? Contact Trex Outdoor Kitchens for a quote!