With the increasing popularity of outdoor entertainment areas, an outdoor kitchen is a serious option to consider. A swimming pool or a tennis court are both great, but those invigorating spring or summer days and nights just wouldn’t be the same without some finger-licking food and drinks that go along.
The only thing that can stop you from fully enjoying the backyard privileges is the bad weather. Don’t leave your faith in the hands of Zeus, Jupiter or Freyr and let the few clouds or occasional summer rain ruin your backyard parties. Here are some of the ideas to protect your friends, family members, as well as your outdoor kitchen from the bad weather conditions.
The Canopy Roof/ Covering
One of the easiest, most versatile and cheapest ways to cover your outdoor kitchen is a canopy. It is also probably the easiest to install. There are different materials that you can choose for your canopy covering, and they come in various sizes and sturdiness levels. Make sure to choose the option that suits the overall ambiance the best. You want your outdoor kitchen to look and feel like an extension to your home, but also to enhance your home’s exterior. So you might also want to pay attention to the details such as color, and general architectural features.
Photo by Samuel H. Williamson Associates
The metal canopy can last longer, especially in the areas where the climate is rather unpredictable. Often weather changes and alternating periods of sun and rain can make their mark on your roofing structure and damage it if the material isn’t suitable.
The Pergolas
Installing a pergola can be a great option for the outdoor recreational area like the kitchen as well. This roofing structure is similar to the canopy, but it has a certain Mediterranean vibe and ring to it. Often times it’s completely made out of wood, and it’s designed to provide shading for patios, walkways, passageways, or garden sitting areas. Woody vines are trained upon sturdy open lattice and pillars that support cross-beams.
Photo by Superior Renovations & Construction
Pergolas were made to provide sun protection since forever, and although they were usually made out wood, in today’s day and age they’re also made out of materials such as aluminum.
The Copper Roof
Speaking of the roofing structures that have been around for ages, copper roofs are definitely in use literally since the beginning of time. They are a great option to consider since copper is light (especially compared to steel), and as a consequence, it puts a significantly lesser amount of stress on the frame structure.
Another good thing about the copper roof is that it can sustain harsh weather conditions. You need to worry about how the structure is going to behave throughout the whole year, not just in those spring and summer days when you bring friends and family members over for a barbecue.
Choose a reliable contractor like Architectural Leadwork for instance, and make sure your roofing structure is able to provide you with all the protection you need. Bad weather conditions aren’t the only thing you should concern yourself with when it comes to adding a cover to your outdoor kitchen. Copper roofing has another advantage over other materials – it’s fire resistant and inflammable, which adds an extra layer of protection and safety for you and your loved ones.
The Gazebos
Many people think that gazebos and pergolas are the same thing, but there are actually some differences. Although gazebo refers to any kind of roofed structure that offers an open view of the surrounding area, it is often times octagonal or turret-shaped, unlike pergola. The more traditional, ’Victorian-style’ gazebo has a domed roof which is supported by pillared columns.
A gazebo can be a great choice for you, depending on the general style of your outside house design. The nice thing about the gazebos is that you have different options with them – you can opt for a metal frame structure that goes along with metal or copper roof, you can have metal frame structure with a canvas roof, etc.
The important thing is to take a more holistic approach and pay attention to the overall environment and design.
Conclusion
Having an outdoor kitchen really increases the value of your home and gives you a unique opportunity to spend those lovely days and nights in your backyard. The only thing that can spoil things for you is bad weather conditions.
Luckily, you don’t have to look at the skies or watch the news channel for the weather forecast all the time – at least not anymore. Make sure your outdoor kitchen and entertainment area is fully protected from the sun, rain, or other harsh weather conditions. Not only will you and your friends and family members feel safer, but you’ll also protect the outside furniture, kitchen appliances/ utensils and things that are constantly exposed to climate and meteorological conditions.