Selecting the right materials for your outdoor cabinets is crucial to ensuring they withstand the elements while retaining their beauty. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which material is best for your climate, budget, and style. This guide examines the most popular cabinet materials for outdoor use and provides tips for choosing the ideal option for your needs.
Benefits of Proper Outdoor Cabinet Materials
Investing in high-quality, weather-resistant cabinetry for the outdoors provides numerous benefits:
- Durability: Materials made for exterior use can better withstand exposure to sun, rain, snow, temperature swings, humidity, and insects/animals. This prevents cracking, peeling, rotting, and deterioration.
- Low maintenance: Exterior cabinet materials often require little upkeep besides occasional cleaning. No need for frequent sanding, staining, painting, or sealing.
- Aesthetic appeal: Quality materials give cabinets a like-new appearance for years despite the elements. Attractive options available to match any style.
- Added value: Upscale outdoor cabinetry allows you to fully utilize and enjoy outdoor living spaces. This can greatly increase a home’s functionality and resale value.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Material
Several important factors should guide your outdoor cabinet material selection:
Climate Conditions
Consider your geographic area’s typical weather and temperature patterns when choosing a material. For example, composites and aluminum work well in extremely hot climates, while wood types like cedar and cypress are great for damp environments.
Usage and Location
How the cabinets will be used and where they’re installed also affects material suitability. Countertops and cabinets around grills or sinks need more water and heat resistance than standard storage. Direct sun exposure requires ultraviolet (UV) stability.
Budget
Prices vary significantly for exterior cabinet materials and installation. Have a budget in mind and understand value compared to cost for different options. Some materials offer great durability per dollar spent.
Maintenance Expectations
While lower maintenance than interior cabinets, most exterior materials require some care. Be realistic about how much upkeep you are willing to provide. Low-maintenance choices are best for those wanting minimal work.
Aesthetic Preferences
Material surface textures, available colors/stains, door styles, and overall visual appeal should align with your desires. Contemporary, rustic, cottage, and other themes use different materials.
Eco-Friendliness
Selecting materials sourced renewably with non-toxic compositions is better for the environment. Reclaimed and recycled content is also available.
Top Outdoor Cabinet Material Options
With proper selection and installation, the following materials make excellent choices for outdoor cabinetry:
Aluminum
- Benefits – Extremely durable, dent/scratch resistant, lightweight. Withstands all weather conditions and temperatures. No painting or staining required.
- Considerations – Higher cost than many options. Can conduct heat in very hot climates. Visible welds unless custom-fabricated.
- Best Uses – Cabinets in hot, humid, and coastal climates. Excellent around grills, sinks, and appliances. Contemporary style.
Stainless Steel
- Benefits – Extremely durable, dent/scratch resistant, sleek appearance. Withstands all weather conditions. Stainless finish.
- Considerations – Expensive. Shows fingerprints. Can be noisy to open/close. Requires careful cleaning.
- Best Uses – Contemporary kitchens. Areas needing maximum durability and easy cleaning like outdoor kitchens.
Teak
- Benefits – Beautiful appearance. Naturally weather, insect, and rot resistant. No finishing required but can be oiled for color.
- Considerations – Very expensive. Requires periodic oiling/cleaning. Can shrink and crack over time.
- Best Uses – Deck/patio cabinets. Outdoor kitchens and bars. Contemporary and cottage themes.
Cedar & Redwood
- Benefits – Affordable. Attractive, warm wood tones. Naturally insect and rot resistant. Stains well.
- Considerations – Requires staining/sealing to protect from moisture damage. Periodic maintenance needed.
- Best Uses – Casual, cottage, and farmhouse style cabinetry. Deck and patio cabinets.
Polymer & PVC Composites
- Benefits – Low maintenance. Mold, mildew, rot, and insect resistant. Stainable or paintable. Affordable.
- Considerations – Can fade, chalk/scratch over time. Not as durable as metal/wood.
- Best Uses – Deck and patio cabinets, outdoor kitchens. Cottage, farmhouse, and eclectic themes.
Concrete
- Benefits – Extremely durable and weatherproof. Can be stained in a variety of colors. Allows for custom designs.
- Considerations – Very heavy. Can be prone to cracking. Installation is expensive and complex.
- Best Uses – Modern, industrial style cabinets. Excellent around grills, sinks, and appliances.
Fiberglass
- Benefits – Weatherproof, dent resistant, and durable. Low maintenance. Available in many colors and patterns.
- Considerations – Not as strong as metal or wood. Avoid lower quality versions. Can fade over time.
- Best Uses – Bathroom vanities, laundry rooms, poolside. Contemporary and coastal themes.
Protecting Your Investment
To get the most life from outdoor cabinets, incorporate proper care and maintenance practices:
- Inspect regularly for any damage, deterioration, or leaks that could allow water intrusion.
- Make minor repairs immediately before small issues become major.
- Clean surfaces as recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Reseal or recoat surfaces whenever needed per the material guidelines.
- Use cabinet doors and covers to protect interiors when not in use.
- Avoid direct spraying from irrigation systems. Angle systems away.
- Ensure good drainage around cabinets so water does not collect.
Conclusion
The ideal outdoor cabinet material provides durability, beauty, and protection from the elements. Carefully consider climate, usage, budget, style preferences, and maintenance expectations when selecting materials. Leading choices like aluminum, stainless steel, teak, cedar, composites, concrete, and fiberglass each offer unique benefits. With proper installation and care, your outdoor cabinets can provide lasting function, aesthetics, and enjoyment of outdoor living for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most weather resistant material for outdoor cabinets?
Stainless steel and aluminum are generally the most weather resistant outdoor cabinet materials, able to withstand all temperatures, humidity, sun exposure, and moisture.
What is the best material for humid climates?
Teak and composite materials made from polymer and PVC stand up best to humidity and dampness. Cedar and redwood also fare well in humid environments when properly finished and maintained.
What should you not use for outdoor cabinets?
Avoid standard indoor woods like oak, maple, cherry, MDF, and particle board. Also steer clear of low-grade composites and woods, as these break down quickly outdoors. Wrought iron is prone to rusting.
Do you need special hinges for outdoor cabinets?
Yes, exterior-rated hinges made from stainless steel or brass are best for outdoor cabinets. Make sure all hardware uses corrosion resistant metals.
Can you use the same countertops outside as inside?
Not always. Outdoor countertops need to withstand temperature swings, UV rays, and moisture. Common options are quartz, granite, marble, concrete, stainless steel, and tile.