An outdoor deck is a great addition to any home. It’s a multifunctional space that can be used for entertaining guests and holding barbecues and parties. (And with some COVID restrictions still in place, building a deck presents the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family.) Here’s a pro-tip: To enhance your guests’ outdoor dining experience, you can add an outdoor kitchen to your deck. 

Shine Construction Inc., your trusted exterior and siding contractor, lists the different things you need to consider when planning a deck and outdoor kitchen and shares design tips below: 

Long-Term Vision

It’s important to craft a long-term vision for your outdoor deck and kitchen, or any home improvement or siding replacement project for that matter. That’s because, without a long-term vision for your outdoor deck, you’ll most likely end up being disappointed with the end result, no matter how it turns out. 

Location

Your outdoor kitchen would ideally be near the indoor kitchen, so you can easily transport food to your guests. 

Kitchen Features and Layout

The essential features of an outdoor kitchen are a built-in grill, an insulated grill jacket (to protect nearby appliances from the heat coming from the grill), an overhead vent hood (for ventilation), a refrigerator (to make sure meat and other perishables don’t go bad), and hidden waste bins. These features should be enough if you’re only hosting intimate get-togethers on your deck. But if you’re planning on hosting larger gatherings on your deck, we recommend adding these features: 

• Sink and faucet – A sink and faucet in your outdoor kitchen will save you the trouble of making several trips to your indoor kitchen.
• Secondary grill – A secondary grill is more of a necessity for homeowners who frequently have guests over since it helps with multitasking in the kitchen.
• Wine coolers – Contrary to what some might say, wine is best served chilled.
• Firepit – A firepit can help you and your guests warm during cold weather.

Utilities

You’ll need to determine if the gas connections (for the burners and grills), the plumbing (for the faucets), and the electricity lines (for the refrigerator and the wine cooler) will be installed under the deck or along the support beams. 

Size

Your kitchen should have enough space for the outdoor kitchen, the dining area, and a living area where guests can gather and relax after finishing their meal. 

Weight Limit

Your deck should also be durable enough to support your outdoor kitchen and other amenities. In addition to wooden beams, load-bearing posts and deck footing provide further support for your roof. Deck footing refers to the deep holes dug in the ground and filled with concrete. If these holes aren’t deep enough, your new deck might become unstable. 

Factors That Can Affect Your Deck’s Stability

What are the factors that can affect the deck footing and by extension your deck’s stability? 

• Dead and live loads – As the names suggest, the former refers to the weight of all your deck’s permanent components—its posts, beams, framing and railing—while the latter refers to the combined weight of the transient or temporary elements. As a general rule, the deck needs to support a dead load of 10 pounds per square foot and a live load of 40 pounds per square foot, which means the footing needs to support a total weight of 50 pounds per square foot. However, keep in mind that the requirements may vary depending on the local building codes.
• Soil consistency – The firmer the soil, the more support it can provide for weight loads. If the soil is too loose, your contractor will have to use large footings to provide more support.
• Local climate – Like certain decking materials, soil also expands and contracts in response to abrupt changes in temperature. Any movement in the soil can shift the structure of the deck above.

What if You Already Have an Existing Deck?

Before adding new amenities to your outdoor deck, your exterior and siding contractor will check if your deck’s load capacity has reached critical and whether its support needs to be reinforced. 

Deck Materials

The deck boards should be durable enough to handle the local climate and provide support for the amenities above it. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of the most widely used decking materials: 

• Pressure-treated lumber –  There are several reasons why pressure-treated lumber is one of the most popular decking materials. They’re affordable, widely available and relatively durable. However, compared to other decking materials, pressure-treated lumber has relatively higher maintenance needs.
• Redwood and Cedar – In addition to their classic aesthetic appeal, redwood and western red cedar are resistant to rot, decay and insect damage. (This is mostly thanks to the tannins and oils naturally present in these wood varieties.) Compared to pressure-treated lumber, redwood and cedar are more expensive. But if you’re looking for a durable outdoor deck, redwood or cedar deck boards are worth the investment. Remember: While it’s important to stay within your budget, you shouldn’t get too preoccupied with the costs. Focus instead on how you can maximize the returns on your investment.
• Composite decking – Composite decking—which is made of recycled plastic and wood dust that’s molded into long, dense boards—is a low-maintenance alternative to lumber. In addition to having low maintenance needs, composite decking is also resistant to weather-related damage.

Important note: Keep in mind your area’s climate can affect your deck’s durability. If you’re having trouble choosing a decking material, it’s highly recommended that you consult a local exterior and siding replacement contractor. Since they’re familiar with the local climate, they can make better recommendations. 

Design Ideas for Outdoor Kitchens

Add a personal touch to your deck and outdoor kitchen with these unique design ideas and amenities:

• Outdoor kitchen with white base and dark countertops under an open pergola – This set-up is perfect for more formal gatherings. Adding stainless steel appliances can help enhance the set-up’s formal feel.
• Outdoor bar oak-toned wood under a corrugated metal roof – A corrugated metal open bar is the casual equivalent of the open pergola. The corrugated tin roof helps stir up visual interest among guests and draw attention to the open bar. To prevent the set-up from becoming too busy (visually), we recommend adding oak-toned accents.
• Dedicated food prep station with crate shelves – For a more rustic feel, you can repurpose old crates into shelves that can be used to store vintage plates and glassware.
• Outdoor kitchen with a reclaimed wood wrap-around bar and raffia bar stools – An open bar doubles as a dining area and a place where guests can socialize. To add a bit of personality to your deck and outdoor kitchen, you can use reclaimed wood to build your wrap-around bar. Place the bar near a window replacement with a simple frame design (like sliding or casement windows) to complete the casual set-up.
• Minimalist prep station and open shelving in soft, grayish-brown colors – Not a lot of space in your backyard? There’s the option of setting up a minimalist kitchen with just the essential amenities. Add some potted plants to complete the low-fuss but high-style look.

Important note: Don’t forget that your new deck and outdoor kitchen should complement the other parts of your exterior. Remember: When it comes to exterior design, consistency is key. If you’re having trouble finding a deck that fits into your exterior’s design scheme, don’t hesitate to consult an exterior contractor. 

Shine Construction Inc., a family-run company, offers a wide range of professional exterior services, including deck construction and window replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (508) 278-3300 or fill out this form.