Wood vs Metal: Choosing the Best Frame for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular additions to backyards and patios, allowing homeowners to enjoy cooking and entertaining in the fresh air. As with any built structure, having a solid framework is key to creating an outdoor kitchen that will stand the test of time. Two of the most common materials used are wood and metal, each offering their own set of pros and cons. We'll compare the costs, durability, installation factors, and more to help you determine if wood or metal framing is the best fit for your outdoor culinary oasis.
Breaking Down Wood Framing
Wood is often the first choice for DIYers and those sticking to a budget when building an outdoor kitchen. Let's take a look at some of the most frequently used wood types and their benefits.
Common Lumber Options
Pressure-treated pine is affordable and resists moisture damage, making it a popular framing choice. More expensive yet naturally decay-resistant options like cedar and redwood also fare well against outdoor exposure. For structural support, laminated beams called glulams flex less than solid wood.
Cost Savings
One of wood's biggest advantages is cost savings upfront. Pressure-treated pine can be purchased for around $3 per square foot on average. The expense rises for woods like cedar at approximately $6 per square foot. Still, most lumber remains cheaper than metal alternatives before installation labor fees.
Easy DIY Installation
Another big perk of wood framing is that it requires no special tools or skills to work with. A circular saw, drill, nails, and hammer are generally the only necessities. Simple carpentry know-how like measuring, cutting, and positioning lumber is sufficient for most homeowners to construct their own outdoor kitchen frame from wood.
Longevity Requires Protection
The downside to wood's affordability and accessibility is that it needs added measures to stand the test of time outdoors. Sealing, treating, or encasing the framework protects it against moisture, pests, and rot. Consistent maintenance checks for any unwanted damage are also advised to maximize its lifespan.
What Makes Metal Framing Stand Out?
Now let's examine metal as an alternate outdoor kitchen infrastructure and why one might select it over the conventional wood choice.
Robust Metals for Framing
Galvanized steel and stainless steel both resist corrosion well when used as the underlying structures for outdoor cooking setups. Sturdy yet lightweight aluminum is another rust-resistant metallic framing possibility to serve as the skeleton for built-in barbeque stations or prep tables.
Higher Upfront Cost
The trade-off for metal's unmatched durability is its steeper install pricing. Galvanized steel often starts around $5 per square foot without factoring in specialized labor or additional fireproofing materials that wood doesn't require. So though it lasts longer, metal framing demands a higher upfront budget.
Professional Installation Recommended
Cutting and fitting metal studs demands more precision and expertise than wood framing's flexibility can allow. The right saws like hacksaws or angle grinders are a must when sizing and joining metals accurately. Homeowners comfortable using such gear can DIY the work, but mistakes risk structural issues.
Built to Last Outdoors
Where metals outshine wood for outdoor viability is resisting all weather elements without needing protective layers or routine maintenance against rust, pests, mold, or excess moisture. A metal frame stands firmly in place as a durable cooking enclosure for decades rather than eventually decomposing.
Key Factors When Deciding Between Wood or Metal
When determining whether to use wood or metal framing bases for outdoor kitchens, keep the following decisive factors in mind:
- Tight budget constraints likely make wood the more feasible choice
- DIY skills level and tool/material access should be considered
- Desired lifespan can dictate whether costlier long-lasting metal is warranted
- Building codes may require additional insulation for fire safety with wood framing
- Weatherization demands in certain climates could impact material resistance
- Aesthetic preferences may lean design towards one material over the other
Prioritizing these key elements helps guide homeowners planning the ideal open-air cooking space framework.
When constructing an outdoor kitchen's structural base, wood and metal each have unique advantages. Wood framing permits accessible DIY installs for a lower budget, while steel and aluminum studs upgrade durability and weather-resistance. Factor in your timeline, climate, budget, and skillset to decide if wood's cost savings or metal's sturdiness is the best fit. With the right protective measures for wood or moisture barriers for metal applied, both can uphold seasons of outdoor culinary enjoyment.