The spring may still be a few months away, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start thinking about remodeling your outdoor space. How about building that shed you’ve always wanted? How about a pool?
Both these ideas sound great, but if you’re looking for a project that’s both relatively cheap and functional, we recommend you build yourself an outdoor kitchen. In fact, outdoor kitchens have become quite popular in the past few years, and it’s easy to see why.
They bring something extra to your backyard, giving you more opportunities on how to spend your time. You can use it as a party center, bar, or dining area. What’s more, a kitchen like that will bring your outdoor cooking experience to the next level.
However, before you get yourself an outdoor kitchen, there are some things you have to consider. And one of the essential decisions you need to make is with what roof you wish to protect it from bad weather.
To help you with that, we’ve prepared the following guide.
Outdoor Kitchen Roof Types
Picking a covering for your outdoor kitchen goes far beyond deciding between the tile or rubber roofing. The roof you choose will significantly impact your outdoor kitchen design and structure.
The most common types of kitchen roofing include:
- Canopy
- Pergola
- Gazebos
More information on them below.
Canopy
Using a canopy is probably the easiest and cheapest way to cover your outdoor kitchen. It’s also the most versatile of the group, which makes it the perfect option.
The best thing about canopies, though, is that not only do they protect your kitchen from weather, but they also accent your dining space. What’s more, canopies are available in various shapes and sizes, making it much easier to adjust them to your idea.
Pergola
If you wish to add your outdoor kitchen more Italian look, using a pergola as the roof is a fantastic way to achieve that. Similar to canopies, pergolas are more sophisticated and slightly more expensive.
Its structure usually consists of pillars that support cross-beams and an open lattice. Usually, the beams are made of wood, which you can use as a cover and a space for your grapevine.
Imagine sitting with your family and friends with the sound and smell of your grill and grapes hanging above your head. Your backyard would feel like a Tuscan hill.
Gazebos
Once you take a look at the gazebo and pergola roof, you may think they’re the same thing. However, despite their many similarities, they’re slightly different.
First of all, pergolas are look modern, whereas gazebos are more old-fashioned, giving your garden a more traditional appeal. Another difference is the shape.
According to ur friends at roofing Silver Spring, MD a huge advantage of this particular outdoor kitchen covering is that it’s effortless to install while being reliable. The con is that it requires much more detailed maintenance.
Other Things to Consider
Roofing style is not all you need to consider, though. You have to think about other crucial features before picking the perfect roof for your covered outdoor living space.
Budget
The first thing you have to think about is your budget. Ask yourself how much you intend to spend on your outdoor kitchen, as it will change depending on its size and material.
Keep in mind that deciding on a cheaper option isn’t always a good idea, though. More solid, wooden, or stone pillars will ensure your roof withstands the test of time and more extreme conditions.
When it comes to the size, the rule is simple – the bigger the roof, the more expensive it gets.
Appliances
Your roofing type and size will also depend on the number and kind of equipment you want to have in your outdoor kitchen. For instance, if you want to have lighting on the ceiling, you should choose between pergolas and gazebos.
However, appliances will also determine your roofing’s size. Let’s say that you want to have a grill and a pizza oven. To protect them from elements and ensure the kitchen area is comfortable, you need to ensure your roof is big enough to provide that.
The Bottom Line
Building yourself a covered outdoor kitchen is a great plan. It will provide you with an extra cooking station and a perfect space for outdoor parties. However, you have to choose the right outdoor kitchen design in the first place.
After all, you want your kitchen to look nice and bind well with your outdoors. You also need to ensure your equipment (and guests) are properly protected. And to achieve that, you have to cover your kitchen with the right roofing.
As you can see, there are three roof ideas you can consider when building your backyard kitchen – a canopy, pergola, and gazebo. Each type can add something extra to your garden, and each one will work perfectly if built correctly.
Good luck with your project, and we hope our outdoor kitchen designs will help.