Choosing the right materials for your outdoor cabinets is crucial to ensure they can withstand the elements while retaining their beauty. With so many options to pick from, it can get overwhelming determining which material is best for your specific needs and budget. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the pros and cons of various cabinet materials to use outdoors, including wood, metal, glass, stone, and more. Follow along as we break down the key factors to consider when selecting materials for your outdoor cabinetry.

Introduction

Outdoor cabinets have become a popular way to add storage and style to patios, decks, and other outdoor living spaces. However, with exposure to sun, rain, snow and other elements, exterior cabinet materials need to be durable and weather-resistant. The material you choose affects the cabinet’s functionality, aesthetics, and longevity.

When selecting materials for outdoor cabinets, consider these key factors:

• Weather resistance – Ability to withstand sun, moisture, humidity and temperature fluctuations
• Durability – Strength and ability to resist impact, scratches and wear
• Maintenance – Required upkeep and refinishing over time
• Cost – Material and installation costs within your project budget
• Aesthetics – Visual look and style you want to achieve
• Functionality – Storage capacity, accessibility and other usage needs

By weighing these criteria, you can zero in on the ideal outdoor cabinet materials for your unique needs and application. Read on as we dive into the benefits and downsides of the most popular options.

Wood Materials for Outdoor Cabinets

Wood is a classic choice for outdoor cabinetry, offering natural beauty, customization and variety. However, not all woods are created equal when it comes to weather resistance. These are some top wood types to consider:

Teak

Known for its rich brown color and natural oils, teak is one of the best woods for outdoor use. It has excellent weather resistance, retaining its smooth finish and color even after years of sun and rain exposure.

Pros:

• Highly weather-resistant and durable
• Requires no stain or sealer
• Beautiful golden-brown color ages gracefully to silvery gray

Cons:

• Most expensive wood option
• Needs periodic cleaning and re-oiling

Overall, teak is a superb wood for cabinets in wet climates or direct sun exposure. It’s a sound long-term investment given its longevity.

Cedar

For a more budget-friendly alternative to teak, cedar is another great outdoor wood. It has a reddish-brown hue and a more pronounced wood grain. Its natural oils help cedar resist moisture, decay and insects.

Pros:

• Excellent rot and insect resistance
• Affordable compared to teak
• Easy to stain or paint if desired

Cons:

• Less durable than teak over decades
• Requires re-staining every 2-3 years

Cedar offers an attractive and practical wood option if you like the richness of real wood without the higher cost. Staining and sealing it regularly will expand its lifespan.

Pressure-Treated Pine

For the most affordable wood, pressure-treated pine is chemically altered to withstand moisture and insect damage. It holds up better than untreated pine but still requires refinishing.

Pros:

• Most budget-friendly wood option
• Pre-treated for weather resistance

Cons:

• Prone to splitting/cracking
• Needs re-staining every 1-2 years
• Can leech chemicals over time

Pressure-treated pine provides a short-term inexpensive choice but may need replacement sooner than more durable woods. Use caution with direct food contact.

Ipe

Also called Brazilian walnut, ipe is an extremely dense and durable exotic hardwood. It has a chocolate brown color that grays over time. Ipe contains high oil content for weather resistance.

Pros:

• Extremely scratch, rot and insect resistant
• No staining required
• Attractive color deepens with age

Cons:

• Expensive
• Difficult to work with and machine
• Can heat up in direct sun

While pricey, ipe is virtually indestructible for outdoor cabinets. It’s a smart long-term investment if you want wood that can endure decades of sun and storms.

Bamboo

For an eco-friendly wood alternative, bamboo has a pleasing visual grain. Made from fast-growing grasses, bamboo is sustainable and durable against moisture and pests.

Pros:

• Sustainable and renewable resource
• Good stain and paint adhesion
• Durable against weather and bugs

Cons:

• Prone to surface scratches
• Can warp or crack over time
• Less moisture resistant than teak

Bamboo makes a greener choice than traditional wood if you wish to stain or paint it for extra protection. Proper sealing is key to prevent moisture damage.

Metal Materials for Outdoor Cabinets

Beyond wood, metal is another go-to category for outdoor cabinets. Metal choices like aluminum and stainless steel boast sleek modern appeal plus extreme durability.

Stainless Steel

With its chrome-like luster and smooth texture, stainless steel brings a contemporary vibe outdoors. It resists corrosion better than other metals due to its chromium content.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and dent-resistant
• Easy to clean and disinfect
• Rust and chip-proof

Cons:

• Higher cost than other metals
• Can show fingerprints and water spots
• Makes noise when closing doors/drawers

Stainless steel provides unmatched toughness for cabinets in full sun and high moisture. A sealed finish enhances its shine and protection.

Aluminum

Known for its lightweight strength, aluminum is affordable and low-maintenance for outdoor use. Cast aluminum is more durable than extruded.

Pros:

• Lower cost than stainless steel
• Resists corrosion and rust
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

• Softer and less durable than steel
• Still prone to dents and scratches
• conducts heat more than other metals

Aluminum presents a lighter-weight and budget-friendly metal choice. Using thicker cast aluminum improves its resilience.

Galvanized Steel

Steel coated with a zinc alloy makes it impressively weather-resistant and durable. The galvanizing protects underlying steel from rust.

Pros:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Stronger yet lighter than stainless
• More budget-friendly than stainless

Cons:

• Can still dent or scratch over time
• Hotter surface temperature than other metals
• Industrial aesthetic

Galvanized steel brings rugged durability at a more affordable cost point than stainless. Its utilitarian look fits a contemporary or industrial style.

Copper

Prized for its warm, reddish glow, copper offers unique beauty and natural weathering ability. A patina forms as it ages.

Pros

• Lovely aging patina over time
• Naturally moisture and mold resistant
• Strong yet easy to work with

Cons:

• Relatively expensive
• Softer than steel, prone to dents
• Oxidization can look dirty if not maintained

The rich appeal of copper counters its higher price for a distinctive, vintage look. Keep it polished to maintain its radiance.

Glass for Outdoor Cabinets

Glass infuses any space with light and visibility. New technology makes some glass types suitable for outdoor settings.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is treated with heat or chemicals to increase its strength. When broken, it shatters into small cube-like pieces rather than sharp shards.

Pros:

• 4-5 times stronger than regular glass
• Withstands most impacts
• Safer shattering than regular glass

Cons:

• Not fully shatterproof
• visibility not as clear as regular glass
• expensive compared to other glass

Tempered glass is your best bet for glass cabinet doors or shelves outdoors. Choose thicker glass for maximum impact resistance.

Acrylic Glass

Acrylic glass, also called Plexiglass, is made from plastic instead of silica like regular glass. It is impact-resistant and durable against weather.

Pros:

• Highly durable and shatter-resistant
• Blocks UV rays from sun damage
• Affordable compared to real glass

Cons:

• Easier to scratch than real glass
• Can discolor or cloud over time
• Less aesthetic than real glass

Acrylic makes a practical choice for kids’ play areas or other high-risk zones while still allowing visibility.

Stone Materials for Outdoor Cabinets

For a classic, upscale look, natural or engineered stone lends beauty and resilience. Types like granite and quartz stand up well in outdoor settings.

Granite

Granite’s elegance, strength and longevity make it ideal for exterior applications. Its mineral content gives granite weather-resistance.

Pros:

• Extremely durable against elements
• Resists scratches, heat and stains
• Timeless, luxurious aesthetic

Cons:

• Expensive, requires professional install
• Porous requiring yearly sealing
• Can crack if not properly supported

With proper installation and sealing, granite makes a sophisticated, long-lasting choice for upscale outdoor cabinetry.

Quartz

Engineered from natural stone and resins, quartz combines mineral beauty with enhanced durability. Quartz resists moisture, scratches and heat better than granite.

Pros:

• Greater stain, scratch and heat resistance than granite
• Requires less maintenance and sealing
• Consistent color and patterning

Cons:

• Less natural stone appearance than granite
• Higher cost than granite
• Avoid direct sun exposure

For low-maintenance durability with a natural stone impression, quartz tops the list for outdoor cabinets. Keep it out of excessive sun heat.

Natural Stone

Sedimentary stones like limestone, sandstone and slate have an organic, rough-cut allure. But weather exposure can degrade their surfaces over time.

Pros:

• Rustic, earthy aesthetic
• Natural texture and colors
• Can be sourced locally

Cons:

• Prone to etching and staining
• Softer and less durable than granite
• Can degrade in harsh weather

Use caution when sourcing local sedimentary stone for outdoor cabinets. Prioritize durability over appearance.

Concrete

Poured concrete delivers a raw, industrial vibe along with strength. Concrete’s porousness allows weathering unless properly sealed.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and heat resistant
• Can be stamped for unique textures
• Customizable with stains and dyes

Cons:

• Prone to cracking if poorly installed
• Can develop limescale stains over time
• Cold, hard appearance

With sealing and protective treatments, concrete makes a bold, indestructible countertop or cabinet surface outdoors.

Key Considerations When Selecting Materials

Choosing cabinet materials involves weighing your unique needs, climate and priorities:

• Seek out the highest weather resistance possible for your local conditions. Teak, stainless steel and granite fare best against sun, rain and humidity.
• For a low-maintenance material, opt for unfinished teak, aluminum or quartz that require little upkeep.
• Consider your budget constraints. Teak, copper and granite are premium-priced while pressure-treated pine and acrylic glass offer budget options.
• Match the aesthetic you wish to achieve, from modern metal to natural wood tones.
• Ensure adequate ventilation and overhangs to prevent excessive sun damage, especially with glass, plastic and metal.
• For a food preparation zone, avoid pressure-treated wood or unsealed concrete that can leech chemicals.
• Install cabinetry properly on level, reinforced surfaces and use metal framing for strength.

Protecting Your Outdoor Cabinets

Whichever materials you select, proper installation, sealing and maintenance will maximize their lifespans. Here are key tips for protecting outdoor cabinets:

• Install cabinets on an even surface with sturdy framing and blocking.
• Seal porous woods, concrete and stone annually to prevent moisture damage.
• Keep metal surfaces free of fingerprints and water spots to limit oxidation.
• Provide adequate roof overhangs above cabinets to limit sun and rain exposure.
• Check for cracks, erosion and deterioration every season. Make repairs promptly.
• Clean cabinets regularly with appropriate cleaners for the material.
• Consider cabinet covers or outdoor-rated furniture covers during severe weather months.
• Lubricate hinges and hardware regularly to keep doors and drawers functioning smoothly.

Conclusion

The ideal outdoor cabinet materials for your space depend on assessing your design goals, climate, usage needs and budget. Teak, stainless steel, granite and aluminum provide time-tested durability for cabinetry exposed to the elements. Yet you can also choose more budget-friendly options like pressure-treated pine and tempered glass with proper sealing and maintenance. Use this guide to weigh the pros and cons of each material against the look, functionality and longevity you wish to achieve. With an informed decision and proper installation, your outdoor cabinets can provide lasting function and beauty for years of backyard enjoyment.

frequently-asked-questions

Here are some common questions and answers about outdoor cabinet materials:

What is the most waterproof material for outdoor cabinets?

Teak wood and stainless steel are two of the most waterproof options. Their high oil content and corrosion resistance allow them to withstand wet weather with minimal damage.

What kind of wood is best for outdoor cabinets?

Teak is the gold standard for outdoor wood cabinetry given its natural weather resistance. Cedar and pressure-treated pine provide more budget-friendly options. Ipe and bamboo are other durable and eco-friendly choices.

Do you need to seal outdoor wood cabinets?

Sealing is highly recommended for most woods besides teak. Marine-grade sealants protect the wood from moisture damage and UV rays while maintaining its appearance. Reseal every 1-3 years based on exposure.

What should you not use for outdoor cabinets?

Avoid regular glass, untreated softwoods like fir or poplar, wicker or cloth fabrics as they will quickly degrade outdoors. Also use caution with sedimentary natural stones vulnerable to etching.

Can you use regular kitchen cabinets outside?

Kitchen cabinets are designed for interior use. The glues, finishes and materials will fail rapidly outdoors. Opt for exterior-rated cabinets or repurpose indoor cabinets under a covered patio.

How much more expensive are outdoor cabinets?

Outdoor-ready cabinets carry about a 15-25% premium over comparable indoor versions due to their weather-resistant materials and construction. builtin or custom-made versions allow more choice in durable materials.

Are metal or wood cabinets better for outdoors?

Metal like stainless steel offers unmatched durability outdoors. But wood provides a warmer, natural aesthetic that some homeowners prefer. Choose exterior-grade woods like teak or cedar if opting for wood.

How do you weatherproof outdoor cabinets?

Use exterior-rated, weather-resistant materials, proper overhangs, tight sealing and annual re-treatment of surfaces. Keep the cabinets clean and inspect regularly for any needed repairs. Doors, hinges and hardware should be corrosion-resistant as well.

What should you look for when buying outdoor cabinets?

Seek cabinets rated for exterior use with durable, weather-resistant materials. Look for cabinet frames and doors made from woods like teak or thick aluminum, stainless steel or other metals. Ensure any finishes offer UV and moisture protection.

Do you need to take cabinets in during winter?

In cold climates, moving cabinets indoors or covering them can protect from heavy snow loads. But outdoor-rated cabinets designed for winter temperatures usually can remain outside year-round without issues. Just avoid placing them where snow slides off the roof.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• Teak, cedar, aluminum, and stainless steel are excellent choices for outdoor cabinet materials thanks to their weather resistance.
• Sealing and maintenance is crucial for most woods to prevent moisture damage, mildew, and discoloration.
• Metals like stainless steel and aluminum provide modern style and durability but can dent. Granite and engineered quartz also perform well outdoors.
• Install cabinets securely on level surfaces with sufficient overhangs and check for deterioration regularly.
• Outdoor-rated cabinets specifically designed for exterior use will provide the best longevity and return on investment.