Outdoors Kitchens and Entertaining
⇔ Concrete Overlay Countertops ⇔
Whether it’s for a simple barbecue counter or an elaborate outdoor kitchen, concrete overlay systems are an ideal choice for outdoor countertop surfaces.
Sealed Concrete Overlay Countertops offer easy maintenance, and are one of the most durable materials on the market. They can withstand all seasons, and provide a sturdy, easy to clean area for prepping food, barbecuing, or just for entertaining.
Outdoor countertops don’t differ much in terms of their structure and design possibilities compared to when they’re used indoors.
The majority of the information you’ve found on this site will apply to designing and using concrete overlay countertops inside.
But if you want more ideas for using countertops outdoors such as ideas for where to place an outdoor kitchen, design configurations, embedding materials in countertops, and more, then contact us and we can help guide you towards completing your unique and durable project.
How to Design a Trendy Outdoor Kitchens
Dividing backyard space into outdoor "rooms" is a growing trend in landscape design with the focus being on the outdoor kitchen.
No longer just a barbecue counter or the lone charcoal grill, the outdoor kitchen is growing in size and functionality as it steals the spotlight and becomes a main focal point in the backyard.
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Nowadays outdoor kitchens are a more elaborate extension of the indoor kitchen and far more sophisticated than a simple charcoal grill. Outdoor kitchens need to be sized appropriately for the space available while meeting the entertaining and dining needs of the homeowner.
Scott Cohen, HGTV's favorite Garden Artisan, shares his insight on how to design today's trendy Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ Grills.
Start with this list of questions to help define the parameters for your design:
These questions will help you size the counter.
Entertaining needs:
- How often do you grill?
- How many people do you entertain on a regular basis outdoors?
- At big parties?
- Will you need to be able to accommodate a bartender and/or caterer?
Equipment Wish List:
- How large of a grill do you plan to use?
- What accessories and appliances do you want to include in your layout?
Placement:
- Is there an area in the yard that you think would perform best for the outdoor kitchen?
- From which direction does the prevailing wind come?
- What are the sun and shade angles in the yard?
Configuration:
- Do you want the counter built at one height or create a split level counter with a portion of the counter at bar height
- How many people do you want to be able to have at the bar counter?
Industry Standard Heights to Consider in Your Outdoor Kitchen Design
Countertop standard height is 36" tall. At times it is necessary to raise heights to 38"to accommodate a fridge. Comfortable range for most is 36-38". Always design your counters lower than the distance of your client's bent elbow to the ground.
Bar serve counter height varies from 42"-46" tall. If you plan to use bar stools, select them ahead of time and let the height of the seat dictate your final bar counter height.
Bar stools are typically 28" tall, but there is much variance depending on styling and manufacturer.
Choosing the Right Place for an Outdoor Kitchen:
Take advantage of these five tips for choosing the location of an outdoor kitchen.
Wherever you plan to grill or entertain should be strategically placed.
Overlooking this important step can take the fun and convenience out of your outdoor environment.
Views: It is crucial to consider views and sight lines when choosing placement for the counters.
- House window and door views from rooms that face the rear yard.
- Guests views when standing or sitting at counters
- Chef's view – after all, we are usually most concerned about taking care of client #1
- Privacy from neighbors: Screen views with trees, hedges and shrubbery to provide privacy while respecting your neighbors.
Wind: Smoke blows downwind of the grill. Be a good neighbor and plan accordingly.
- Consider that smoke will blow downwind of prevailing (found most commonly or having the most power or effect in an area) wind location.
- Consider proximity to windows, doors or balconies that are downwind
- Always place dining patios upwind of smoke when possible.
Sun and Shade: Outdoor cooking often takes place during the day in hot summer months. Place your outdoor kitchen under existing shade or plan on adding new sources of shade to provide comfort year-round.
- Natural shade from trees and vines is best because they ventilate easily. As an added bonus vines and trees "transpire," evaporate moisture to cool themselves, creating their own natural misting system.
- Shade trellis may be required, check local building codes, setbacks, homeowners associations, etc. Consider sun angles when placing shade bars.
- Use built-in umbrella stands to add shade options over your barbecue area countertops. These inexpensive pre-fabricated pvc units work great for standard size umbrellas, but will not fit an oversize umbrella. They are often sold as volleyball net stands through any swimming pool supplier.
Proximity to the house: Keep your outdoor kitchen close to the indoor kitchen to avoid long hikes to get more BBQ sauce.
- Keep it closer to the indoor kitchen – While grilling on the BBQ you will want to be able to monitor the cooking of the food. The further away the grill, the less likely you will have time to return inside to visit with guests and you'll end up staying out working the grill all by yourself.
- Typically food prep takes place indoors, so trips are required to grill outside. When the grill is a long hike from the indoor kitchen, return trips indoors to get more beer or BBQ sauce can create a disaster as you burn dinner.
Access to Utilities: Gas and electric lines may play a part in choosing the ultimate location of your grilling center.
Scott Cohen, HGTV's favorite Garden Artisan, shares his insight on Outdoor Kitchen Placement & Location.
Outdoor Kitchen Configurations and Sizing
Nowadays outdoor kitchens are more elaborate extensions of the indoor kitchen and far more sophisticated than a simple charcoal grill. Outdoor kitchens need to be sized appropriately for the space available while meeting the entertaining and dining needs of the homeowner.
Counter Sizing:
- Use the equipment list of grill size, appliances and accessories to calculate how much space is required for the counter.
- Allow for placement of a serving platter between each accessory or appliance on the counter. A good rule of thumb is 16".
Consider entertainment needs to figure out how many serve stations will be needed. If a bartender or caterer will be stationed at the counter regularly, leave a 3-4 foot working space around each.
- Scale your outdoor kitchen appropriately to the backyard space. In a smaller garden be careful not to overweight the size of the counter.
Working triangles that are talked about so much when designing indoor kitchens are not as applicable outdoors. Of greater consideration is to plan for three main "stations" or "zones".
- Preparation zone
- Cook zone
- Serve zones (food and beverage)
Outdoor Kitchen Counter Layout Basics:
- Basic stand alone counter
- L – shaped return
- U-shape
- Split levels for bar service
- Separate cook prep and serve section
Scott Cohen, HGTV's favorite Garden Artisan, shares his insight on Design Sizing & Configuration
Click below to view a Free OUTDOOR LIVING with Concrete Design Catalog
Peruse the free OUTDOOR LIVING with Concrete publication full of general design ideas and tips
Please note the free catalogs are simply for Design Idea’s.
Although content may be focused on full concrete slab materials many of the design, coloration and artistic aspects are the same for Concrete Overlay Systems such as iCoats Overlay systems.
The catalog may give you idea’s on Patio Flooring Solutions also offered by iCoat Canada Concrete Products.
