If you’ve seen any videos of RTA outdoor kitchens online… there’s a part of you that may be questioning how durable they are. You may be thinking: “Sure, they’re made of concrete… but the panels are so thin. Will an RTA outdoor kitchen really hold up in the long run?”
Just from viewing a couple of videos, it’s fair to question the durability of an RTA outdoor kitchen. Interestingly enough, durability was the #1 factor we at RTA took into consideration when engineering this product. As a result, we have quite a lot of context to bring to the topic.
In this article, you’ll learn what makes RTA concrete durable, what weather conditions RTA outdoor kitchens can handle, how RTA kitchens fare with pest and environmental damage, and see some durability examples for yourself.
What Makes RTA Concrete Durable?
RTA outdoor kitchens are made with high-performance concrete that is reinforced with microfibers and composite rebar.
You’re likely more familiar with concrete that’s used for sidewalks, which is reasonably durable, but can crack and needs maintenance. High-performance concrete is a completely different animal in terms of durability. Traditional concrete (like for sidewalks) is typically rated around 2,500-4,000 PSI. RTA’s high-performance concrete is rated for 17,000 PSI… making it 4-6x stronger than traditional concrete.
Because of this, RTA outdoor kitchen panels can be thin and streamlined because the concrete itself is so durable.
On top of that, all RTA island panels are internally reinforced with embedded aluminum channels and composite rebar. The channels and rebar are inserted while the concrete is still wet, and the concrete is allowed to cure around the aluminum. This ensures maximum bond strength and optimal durability of the concrete.
Need a Visual Comparison?
Are RTA Outdoor Kitchens Durable in All Weather Conditions?
In terms of weather durability for an outdoor kitchen, RTA is about as good as it can get. RTA’s high-performance concrete is virtually unaffected by all weather conditions. Snow, ice, rain, hail, high winds, oceanside air, intense UV rays, etc. This concrete is designed to resist and persist in all environments!
That said, Mother Nature is relentlessly harsh, and your RTA outdoor kitchen might need a touch-up after a few years. (Just like anything exposed to sun and weather!) Sometimes, RTA outdoor kitchen panels might experience some color fading in the first couple of years. If that happens, we’ll send you a free paint kit to bring your kitchen back to tip-top shape.
The 304 stainless steel appliances that come with RTA outdoor kitchens might also need a little TLC as well. While they have outstanding durability in most climates… if you live right on the ocean, you may want to add a protective coating like Sharkhide to prevent corrosion and pitting. (We are not affiliated with the company! We just like their product.)
Anything you put outside will be in a constant war with its environment… but thankfully, RTA outdoor kitchens are virtually unaffected by pest damage and environmental damage alike.
In the case of pests, termites, and rodents simply cannot damage RTA concrete. Neither are interested in it as a food source. That said, rodents can enter your island through the vent openings. To reduce this annoyance, we recommend purchasing mesh coverings to restrict access to these areas.
On the side of environmental damage, outside of a strong hurricane or tornado… there’s nothing that can really destroy an RTA outdoor kitchen. It won’t get water damaged from flooding, can’t harbor mold, and doesn’t warp or swell in the presence of moisture. Although an RTA outdoor kitchen is hardy to significant damage, there is some natural weathering that will occur over time as mentioned earlier.
How Do RTA Outdoor Kitchens Stand Up In The Real World?
Perhaps the best way to test how durable an RTA outdoor kitchen is to drop something heavy on it… which we’ve done twice.
In the first scenario, we dropped a cinder block onto an island panel from the top of a ladder. As you can see, the RTA panel bounces back like nothing happened and actually breaks the cinder block!
In the second scenario, we dropped a full-size car onto an RTA outdoor kitchen. As the picture shows, it’s holding up without any signs of stress showing at all.
Lastly, here’s an example of an outdoor kitchen that has handled many New England winters. Cloaked in a healthy layer of snow, this RTA outdoor kitchen is completely unbothered by the harshness of old man winter.
Now that you’ve seen the kind of stress an RTA outdoor kitchen can handle… hopefully, you have a better understanding of how durable an RTA island truly is, and how it’ll hold up in your environment.
If you’re looking for some more visual proof, perhaps a point of comparison is a great next step. Our Great Outdoor Kitchen Makeover does an excellent job of comparing the durability between a frame-built outdoor kitchen and an RTA island. Right away, it’ll become clear why this homeowner was desperate for a BBQ island makeover with RTA!
Enjoy the video, and we’ll catch you in the next one.
