caliking
is Blowin Smoke!
Howdy, Brethren.
The time has come. I have grown up enough to plan and have built an outdoor kitchen and patio!
Some years ago, I started a thread to get some ideas from folks. Now that planning is actually underway (still meeting with contractors), I wanted to ask all of you for tips or suggestions.
Here is a picture of the area I want to pave over:
The patio will be freeform, approx 350 sq ft, up to the edges of the beds and upto the maple tree to the right. The prep stations/kitchen islands will go on either side of the maple (towards the right in the picture). My BGE's and some other cookers will go on the opposite side (left in the picture). This area gets nice shade in the morning and evening, so I think it would make a great spot to cook and hang out.
A flagstone deck/patio surrounds the pool, so I would like a patio that matches it as closely as possible. I was thinking about stamped concrete, since the price was much lower than a stone patio, but have since reconsidered because of concerns about durability (cracking, sealer/stain wearing off, popouts, etc.) Houston is built on swamp land, so the ground seems like it moves all the time e.g. if you're not careful about watering the yard evenly your house will settle funnily and develop cracks.
Things that I would especially welcome suggestions about:
1. Lighting options: was thinking about one or two lights on posts, so I'm not cooking in the dark.
2. Want to add 2 counters/stations for prep work, bar area, etc. One will likely have a sink. Will include options like drawers, cabinets, trash pull-out. Any suggestions for these components/modules? cabinets, sink etc
3. Is a stone overlay patio on a concrete slab a good idea in terms of durability, and long-term maintenance? Any idea of what a reasonable price per sq ft would be?
4. If you know of any contractors or patio builders in the Houston area, I would like to talk to them and get an estimate.
Any ideas or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
The time has come. I have grown up enough to plan and have built an outdoor kitchen and patio!
Some years ago, I started a thread to get some ideas from folks. Now that planning is actually underway (still meeting with contractors), I wanted to ask all of you for tips or suggestions.
Here is a picture of the area I want to pave over:
The patio will be freeform, approx 350 sq ft, up to the edges of the beds and upto the maple tree to the right. The prep stations/kitchen islands will go on either side of the maple (towards the right in the picture). My BGE's and some other cookers will go on the opposite side (left in the picture). This area gets nice shade in the morning and evening, so I think it would make a great spot to cook and hang out.
A flagstone deck/patio surrounds the pool, so I would like a patio that matches it as closely as possible. I was thinking about stamped concrete, since the price was much lower than a stone patio, but have since reconsidered because of concerns about durability (cracking, sealer/stain wearing off, popouts, etc.) Houston is built on swamp land, so the ground seems like it moves all the time e.g. if you're not careful about watering the yard evenly your house will settle funnily and develop cracks.
Things that I would especially welcome suggestions about:
1. Lighting options: was thinking about one or two lights on posts, so I'm not cooking in the dark.
2. Want to add 2 counters/stations for prep work, bar area, etc. One will likely have a sink. Will include options like drawers, cabinets, trash pull-out. Any suggestions for these components/modules? cabinets, sink etc
3. Is a stone overlay patio on a concrete slab a good idea in terms of durability, and long-term maintenance? Any idea of what a reasonable price per sq ft would be?
4. If you know of any contractors or patio builders in the Houston area, I would like to talk to them and get an estimate.
Any ideas or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!