Do you love cooking various meals in your own kitchen for friends and family? Do you also enjoy the outdoors and always look forward to sitting out on your patio area? According to Kiplinger, as many as 87% of homebuyers desire a patio area. Did you know you can combine your love of your kitchen and patio by building an outdoor kitchen? Here are some things to consider before hiring an outdoor kitchen builder.

Climate

As you have a consultation with your outdoor kitchen builder, you may want to consider the climate that you live in. If you live in a tropical environment where the weather is very sunny and warm, then building an outdoor kitchen may not be a big deal. However, would you get as much use as possible out of it in a more seasonal climate, especially one with harsh winters? If the weather doesn't matter regarding how often you'll use your outdoor kitchen, discuss it with your outdoor kitchen builder. They may be able to design it in a way that it's partially closed in or covered from the elements.

Size

How big do you want your outdoor kitchen? Should it be equal in size to your main house kitchen? Or do you want a mini kitchen that's functional but it doesn't take up too much space outside? Having a rough idea of the size you are looking for is vital for getting an accurate quote.

Features

The features you install in your outdoor kitchen matter just as much as they would in your main kitchen. Is it important to have an oven outside or just a stovetop? How about counter space? Stone, such as quartz and granite are just as useful and durable outside as they are indoors. In other words, your outdoor kitchen can still be a beautiful and elegant showpiece that's highly functional.

Proximity to House

When you think about your landscape, do you want your outdoor kitchen right next to the main house? Would you prefer a custom kitchen builder to try to set it a little farther away so that it feels like it's in its own space? According to the National Fire Protection Association, most building codes require that a grill or other outdoor heat source must be a minimum of 10 feet from the home. Try to determine the square footage of your existing space beforehand!

An outdoor kitchen builder can breathe new life into your outdoor landscape. Enjoy summer and other beautiful days as much as possible by cooking outside under the stars. If you have any more questions about custom kitchen installation, please contact Hardscape Pros today.