If you’re in the market for an outdoor kitchen… you may be considering an option that is made with PVC or another form of plastic. But if you’re in an exceptionally hot climate like Arizona, Texas, or Florida, you might be concerned about how well this material will hold up.
Hence, your question: “How will heat affect plastic outdoor kitchens over time?”
It’s a great question, and one that deserves a complete answer! As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer that has developed a solution that works well in all climates, we have a good idea of how plastic / PVC outdoor kitchens perform in hot climates. In this article, you will learn how heat will affect plastic outdoor kitchens over time, and a good durable option for your climate.
How Will Heat Affect Plastic Outdoor Kitchens Over Time?
When exposed to brilliant sun and hot temperatures, plastic outdoor kitchens may warp, crack, and fade over time. Below is a more in-depth exploration of what happens when plastic outdoor kitchens are consistently exposed to high ambient temperatures:
- Warping and Sagging: When consistently barraged with hot temperatures, PVC and plastic outdoor kitchens are prone to warping and sagging over time. This is especially noticeable when cabinet doors warp or twist, causing them to be permanently misaligned with your island. You might also notice countertop sagging over time, especially where heavy appliances are seated.
- Brittleness and Cracking: It’s well known that frequent UV exposure weakens and damages plastic materials over time. An outdoor kitchen made from these materials will be no different, as they are constantly exposed to the sun. Heat and UV exposure can cause plastic outdoor kitchens to become brittle over time, leading to issues with cracking.
- Fading and Discoloration: UV exposure is also known to cause fading and discoloration, and plastic outdoor kitchens are not safe from the impacts of sun bleaching. Over time, white PVC is known to yellow under constant sun exposure. Darker colors tend to fade unevenly, leading to mottled discoloration.
- Loosened Hardware: With constant exposure to high ambient temperatures and brilliant sunlight, this puts stress on any areas of your plastic outdoor kitchen that has hardware. The plastic will expand as it heats up, which can cause screws and other components to loosen. If there’s significant warping and damage, this hardware won’t be able to be put back into place.
Is There a More Durable Option in Hot Climates?
Now that you understand how heat will negatively impact a plastic or PVC outdoor kitchen over time… you’re likely going to seek out a more durable option. Is there a more durable outdoor kitchen material for hot climates?
Yes! Below are the best outdoor kitchen materials for a hot climate:
- High performance concrete
- High grade 304 or 316 stainless steel
Neither of these materials will fall victim to excessive heat and sun exposure. However, stainless steel will get a lot hotter in the sun than concrete! So keep that in mind.
And if you’re wondering about how durable high performance concrete is, this article will contain all the information you’re looking for. Enjoy the read!
