Why HDPE Cabinets are Ideal for Outdoor Kitchens in Florida

The Sunshine State is hot, humid, and not exactly welcoming to building outdoor projects. If you’re looking for materials that are well-suited to outdoor kitchens in Florida, you’re in luck!

We spend a lot of our time analyzing the longest lasting materials for homebuyers and business owners. Popular choices like stainless steel are extremely sensitive to temperature changes and get hot in an instant, so they’re a poor choice for outdoor kitchen handles or cabinets. PVC isn’t a great material, either, due to its bad habit of degrading and warping under repeated sunlight. 

When you need a sturdy material that will let you grill and chop food worry-free, HDPE (short for High Density Polyethylene) is your best bet. 

It’s time to look at why HDPE provides the best solutions for sleek, waterproof outdoor kitchens that hold up to Florida’s intense weather. By the end of this list, you’ll have the knowledge needed to finally craft the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. 

Header Source Image: ExtCabinets

Source Image: ExtCabinets

Long-Lasting Materials Increase the Value of Your Home

Outdoor kitchens in Florida made with high-quality, long-lasting materials are a prime way to increase its value. According to statistics shared by Supermoney, you can expect an ROI of at least 55% (and possibly more). 

While the specific percentage will fluctuate based on market trends, a few consistencies are clear – long-lasting waterproof outdoor kitchens are a major plus for most homebuyers. After all, when you outfit your kitchen with durable materials, it’ll last for decades. We offer a lifetime warranty on our waterproof HDPE cabinets because they’re tough enough not to wither, degrade, wrinkle, fade, or warp over time. 

Since HDPE is a marine-grade material used for applications such as crafting tough snowboards or durable piping, you won’t have to worry about chipping or denting, either. This is one investment that will look just as beautiful ten years later as it does the day you bought it.

Source Image: ExtCabinets

HDPE Cabinets are a Durable Material for Hot Weather

Outdoor kitchens in Florida fare best when outfitted with HDPE that doesn’t buckle under pressure (literally and figuratively). With long summers and a hearty helping of sunlight, your outdoor kitchen needs materials that won’t warp under the heat or lose their color from sun exposure. 

HDPE’s temperature-controlled material keeps it from being hot to the touch, unlike stainless steel which can burn you if you’re not careful. It also has no annoying reflective glare to get in your eyes while you’re trying to cook.

If you’re considering using PVC cabinetry or surfaces, think again – this material tends to wrinkle and fade from constant sunlight. While it may hold up to a little scuffing and scratching, it still won’t look the same after a few years.

Source Image: ExtCabinets

No Worries About Humidity Ruining Your Set-Up

Have you ever worried about Florida humidity messing with your outdoor kitchen? It’s a valid concern – moisture in the air can cause aluminum or stainless steel outdoor kitchen equipment to corrode or generate rust.

HDPE gives you peace-of-mind that nothing funny will happen to your outdoor kitchen once your back is turned. Unlike stainless steel, you don’t need to repeatedly wipe down your HDPE cabinets to avoid rusting. This material is marine-grade, after all, and holds up to wet weather and temperature changes without a drop in quality. 

If you like to place your outdoor kitchen equipment in the sunlight to dry up excess moisture, you’ll be glad to know HDPE will hold up in sunlight, too. Unlike PVC and aluminum, these waterproof cabinets don’t warp, degrade, or corrode from heat and sunlight exposure. In fact, they’re so durable, they hold up to a variety of high-traffic commercial applications, too!

Source Image: ExtCabinets

Appearance is Highly Flexible for Exterior Design

With features like corrosion and rust resistance, you might be wondering if all these benefits come with a catch. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice style for quality with your outdoor waterproof cabinets. 

We know how important it is to style an outdoor kitchen according to your unique tastes. Our HDPE cabinets come in a variety of finishes to ensure all your equipment and accessories line up nicely. If you’re a fan of minimalist set-ups, we offer classic shades such as white, black, and light gray.

If you prefer a more rustic appearance, we also offer various wood grain textures such as teak, mahogany, and weatherwood – you get all the beauty of wood with none of the varnish applications or mold risk!

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Much Quieter (and Tougher) Than Other Kitchen Materials

This last point may seem like a minor detail, but it could be a dealbreaker for some. HDPE is a much quieter material than classic mainstays like stainless steel and aluminum.

Do you enjoy slow cooking sessions by the sunset? How about whipping up a quick meal in the early hours of the morning before starting work? Aluminum cabinets and drawers tend to be noisy, clanging with even slight movements. You have to be extra careful when filling them with silverware or you could wake up the entire house.

Also: aluminum is not scratch-resistant. HDPE holds up to even the toughest scratches alongside being resistant to stains and dents. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Have a few more questions before committing to an outdoor kitchen? We have answers to a few common ones below to help you out.

How Long Do Outdoor Kitchens Last?

Outdoor kitchens in Florida last much longer with HDPE materials on their side. While most outdoor kitchens last between 10 to 12 years, our cabinets’ lifetime warranty ensure you can stretch that out even longer.

What is the Average Cost of an Outdoor Kitchen?

Expect to spend between $400 to $500 per linear foot (which ranges between $5,000 to $15,000 for the entire set-up). The precise numbers depend on the longevity of the materials you choose, the installation service you use, and which accessories you want.

How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost in Florida?

The cost for an outdoor kitchen in Florida is similar to other states, ranging between $5,000 to $15,000. However, Florida’s hot weather and high humidity levels means you may spend more replacing equipment that can’t hold up to the elements.

We outfit our outdoor kitchen cabinets with HDPE designed to withstand whatever the weather throws at them. 

Source Image: ExtCabinets

HDPE is a Logical Choice for Your Outdoor Kitchens in Florida 

Florida may not be forgiving to outdoor kitchen projects, but that’s nothing the right materials can’t handle. HDPE consistently holds up where stainless steel, aluminum, PVC, and wood fall flat. 

HDPE is well-suited to Florida’s high humidity levels due to being a marine-grade material used for boats, chemical tanks, and pipes. It won’t corrode and rust like stainless steel or aluminum, but also has no risk of developing mold or losing its tensile strength like wood.

Florida’s hot weather can also be an issue when designing an outdoor kitchen set-up, but you’re still in good hands with HDPE. This material won’t wither and degrade under repeated sun exposure like PVC. Since it’s stain-free and dent-resistant, it also requires very little maintenance aside from the occasional wipedown session. Last but not least, it’s a quieter material than aluminum.

If you’re ready to build your outdoor kitchen in Florida, contact us for a free quote. We offer refundable samples so you can test our quality for yourself!