0:00
Most outdoor kitchens are built the same way. Wood framing, metal studs, or some cinder block. But what if there was a way to build your outdoor kitchen that is [music] actually designed for outdoor conditions from the ground up? Today, I’m going to show you a construction method most homeowners and people
0:15
haven’t heard of yet. >> [music] >> Structural panelized concrete. And once you understand how it works, you’ll see why it’s becoming one of the most durable ways to build an outdoor kitchen. Hey, [music] it’s Daniel with RTA Outdoor Living and today we’re talking about one of the most important decisions when building an outdoor
0:30
kitchen. >> [music] >> The construction method. Most people researching outdoor kitchens are familiar with the traditional options like wood framing, metal studs, cement [music] board, and even cinder blocks. Those methods can work, but they were often adapted from indoor building
0:45
techniques rather than designed specifically for outdoor kitchen environments. So, in this video, I want to walk you through a different approach. A structural panelized concrete system >> [music] >> and explain how that compares to traditional building methods. Let’s
1:00
start with how most outdoor kitchens are typically built. A common method is wood framing. While that may be familiar to contractors, wood framing outdoors can be vulnerable to moisture, weather, and long-term durability concerns. [music] Another option is metal stud framing,
1:15
which does remove the rot risk of wood, but can still introduce other issues like corrosion over time in certain [music] climates. Then there’s cinder block construction, which is very strong, but also labor-intensive, heavy, [music] and usually requires a skilled
1:30
mason. That makes it much more difficult for many homeowners to tackle a DIY project. So, while these methods work, they weren’t necessarily designed to be the simplest or most durable solution specifically for outdoor kitchens. >> [music] >> The system we use at RTA Outdoor Living
1:45
takes a different approach. Instead of building the kitchen frame piece by piece on site, the structure is made from precision engineered concrete panels [music] that arrive ready to assemble. These panels act as structural framework of the kitchen, meaning the strength comes directly from the
2:00
concrete itself rather than a form of wood or metal underneath. Once assembled, the panels create a rigid structure that’s designed to support countertops, appliances, and finishes [music] while standing up to the outdoor conditions. Think of it
2:15
almost like assembling a structural shell rather than building a traditional frame. One of the key elements of the system is the specialized concrete mix [music] used in the panels. These panels are designed to be structural but still manageable to assemble, meaning they’re
2:30
engineered to provide strength while remaining workable for installation. Because the panels themselves form the structure, the finished outdoor kitchen becomes a solid concrete framework rather than a frame structure with concrete or cement board attached to it. The difference [music] matters outdoors
2:45
because concrete is naturally resistant to many of the issues that affect outdoor building [music] materials, like moisture exposure, pests, or weather cycling. [music] Another advantage of panelized construction is consistency and simplicity during installation. [music]
3:00
With traditional builds, a lot of the success of the project depends on how the framing is done on site. With the panelized system, the structural components are manufactured with precision dimensions, which ensures everything fits together correctly when assembled. [music] This approach can
3:15
help reduce installation complexity compared to building everything from scratch with frame, lumber, or masonry blocks. The biggest reason homeowners are choosing this method is durability. Outdoor kitchens are exposed to heat, rain, >> [music] >> freezing temperatures, and constant
3:30
temperature changes depending on where you live. Because the structure is built from structural concrete panels instead of traditional framing, the system is [music] designed to hold up to those conditions over the long term. While every outdoor kitchen still requires proper installation and finishing,
3:45
>> [music] >> starting with the structural concrete system creates a foundation that’s built specifically for the outdoor environment. If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen and want to see how this system works for your space, you can try out our free outdoor kitchen design tool. Or if you’d like help planning your layout, you can book a call with
4:00
one of our outdoor kitchen design experts. And thank you for watching, and I hope this helped you better understand one of the most durable ways to build an outdoor kitchen. We’ll see you in the next video.
