Outdoor kitchen

bkpcsb

I will be building an outdoor kitchen. The plan is to build it out of a plywood frame, then cement board covered by a flat stone for the exterior walls. For a heat barrier around the grill, I had planned on using the cement on all the surfaces exposed to the grill. Will that work and how much space should I allow between both the cement board and grill box. I live in south Texas and should I include a layer of moisture barrier? Any thought, how to steps or videos would be great

Broughton

When you say you will build it out of a plywood frame do you mean you will frame it with dimensional lumber and then sheath it in plywood?

12penny

bk...frame it in steel on a pressure treated plate. Sheath with cement board.

bkpcsb

Tell me more about the pressure treated plate you refer to

12penny

bk...pressure treated 2x4 attached to concrete (if going on concrete patio)

Broughton

Remember regular concrete nails shouldn't go into treated lumber so I usually drill a hole into the concrete the same size as a 3" hot dipped galvanized nail, put about four pieces of rebar tie wire in the hole and then hammer the nail through the sole plate and into the hole. It holds really well.

12penny

...or you could use tapcons, galv lag screws/shields, wedge anchors etc. I think I'd like a stronger mechanical attachment.

bkpcsb

It will be on a wood deck

12penny

Well then...there ya go.

Broughton

Have you run the numbers on if the deck can support the weight of a stone kitchen?

bkpcsb

No, I haven't got that far but the deck was built with 2x6's attached to 4x4 posts spaced 24" apart and set in concrete. Another idea was stucco. Both with a stained 2" concrete counter top, span of 16 feet

Broughton

Sound like it was built to hold 40 lb/sqft. I think a stone kitchen with concrete countertops would overload that but let's see if anyone else agrees.

bkpcsb

Yeah, that's why I was proposing the stucco as an alternative. What formula did you use for your calculations?

AGWhitehouse

I'd plan on a beam and/or post beneath your kitchen counter. With 40lbs/sq. ft., about all you'll really want on there is just people and chairs. Adding a counter system with a 2" concrete slab on it will make your deck more like a trampoline. Add that stone veneer and you likely won't like the results.

If you put some posts under it, then you can do whatever style kitchen you can want and ensure your deck feels sturdy under foot during your most hopping of parties.

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bkpcsb

Thanks!