[chrissygardensc]

Hi,
I have not been around very long enough to read everything here so if I repeat discussion, I appolize in advance.

I have 3 customers in 08 that want out door kitchen/grill areas and I have to come up and design this area. I am thinking I will use retaining wall block, perhaps hedge wall unit ( I know nothing about mansonary work) that I would be able to build grill/counter/bar. For the counter top, instead of using natural stone, I think we are going to try using concret. This is my thought, I have all winter to think it through
Can anyone give me some insite and ideas for installing something like this including brand/type of retaining wall unit and design...

Thanks,
Chris

[PSUscaper]

If your going to use a concrete top that is poured, I would put a footing under what ever it is you are builing the grill out of.

As for what type of block, way too many choices to chose from. For retaining wall block, I would first start with products that are readily available or sold in your area. We use techo and Versa lok, but they may not be very common in your area and the cost of special ordering material may just be enough to lose the job that you may have other wise have gained.

[chrissygardensc]

Thank you for your reply,

I am hoping not to use a footing for the counter/base. I can glue my retaining/freestanding wall together. I will use what we have avail locally. But to give me some ideas, I would like to see what other retaining wall units contractors are using and how they are using them to build there base.
And is anyone out there not putting them on a footing? Is there any information/directions out there on building a kitchen unit with retaining wall? Is there any directions/information on building just a out door kitchen counter?

[papercutter]

Just a thought- if you're putting a concrete countertop on something without a proper footer, how will you avoid cracking as the units move with the ground? I don't know; I see people making bbq islands out of SRWs and I don't get it- it's not that attractive, and SRWs are designed to allow some movement...

[Matt Kulp]

I agree with papercutter and PSU, if you would like to use concrete then you should install a footer below frost level.

Most of the SRW kitchen/grill counter tops are made of slabs of material that set on the top of the block and are able to withstand some movement from the freeze thaw cycle. If you pour a concrete counter to the top of block that will move, then the concrete will crack eventually. The only other option would be to form and pour the concrete separately and install later. It would probably be a good idea to reinforce the concrete as well. The concrete would not be adhered to the block and could be installed with flexible adhesive to allow some movement. I have never done this method, but I can't see any difference in doing that then using a granite slab or something similar.

[LandArts]

There is a product that comes as variously sized fiber-reinforced concrete shells. Bolt them together, apply stucco or stone to the exterior, bond a top to it and your done. Whole deal is light enough you can just set it on top of a patio.

[jamesn162]

i would def shy away from the concrete countertop.......the reason i say is that they are almost always going to cause you problems in the future and they are not easy to make......use a soap stone or piece of limestone maybe a little more espensive but it will look a hell of alot better seeing that it will not be as thick.....your in zone 3-4 which means that your concrete countertop would have to be over 3 inches thick....which in my opinion will look awful....and once you add in rebar etc.... it will be heavy........and on top of everything else i have listed i have one more important piece of advice to give you. I have been using concrete for a little over ten years (poured walls, steps,curbing,floors,) and i have found that concrete is gaurnted to do to things it will dry when it wants and crack. And i dont care if you use fiber mesh, steel fibers, rebar, wire fence, it will crack(maybe small or big) but it will crack. and this could effect your warrenty

[jamesn162]

and your left pocket

[Raj Venugopal]

We're looking into doing an outdoor kitchen and are considering using freestanding stainless steel cabinetry and granite countertops. Not sure how what the basework is giong to look like, but some of the issues regarding settling would be eliminated. We'll see.....

[chrissygardensc]

I am still looking at options and brain storming on how to build this outdoor kitchen. I think I can make the base of the outdoor kitchen like I would make pillars out of retaining wall. I would build a rectangle pillar on each side of the freestanding gas grill unit so then can roll it in and out. I can run the back side of the pillars up higher then the pillars to make a high shelf/wall. I still need to figure out my counter top. Can I use caps for the retaining wall for my counter top??? Will the fiber-reinforced concrete shells help me with makeing a counter top and where do you get them?
I could get precasted concete caps and cut them and piece together but I don't think it would be attractive enough...

Thanks for everyone's imput..

[jamesn162]

Again i would reall stay away from anytpe of concrete that you makeyourself......try to presuade your customer into buying a product that will look great and last....shy away from the concrete top

[4seasons]

Why not build your countertop out of treated wood or wood rated for outdoors. then install tile or something of the like ontop?

[lasting impress]

I would personally use granite for the countertop. We've used granite for pillar tops and over outdoor gas fireplaces. Granite can be made to have a bullnose, flamed etc... finish. The top can also be polished or flames etc.... Its available in an ton of colours to match the blocks you are using. When fastening the granite to the blocks, we use a tape glue, that not only stick to both surfaces, but is plyable too shift with the frost.

[LandArts]

Why not build your countertop out of treated wood or wood rated for outdoors. then install tile or something of the like ontop?

Because the wood will move and the tile won't.

[chrissygardensc]

Thanks for all your imput.
Does anyone know of any retaining wall manufacturer that have come up with some patterns/styles to build an outdoor kitchen I can look at?