Outdoor Living & Outdoor Kitchens · Pittsburgh & Western PA
Outdoor Living Spaces & Outdoor Kitchens in Pittsburgh
We design and build covered patios, pavilions and full outdoor kitchens that feel like another room of your home. One design-build team handles the structure, the utilities and the custom carpentry from start to finish.
Built for the Backyard
An outdoor living space contractor in Pittsburgh that builds the whole room
A great outdoor living space is more than a patio and a grill. It is a cooking area, a dining spot and a place to relax, all under a roof that keeps the rain and sun off, with lighting, power and heat planned in from the start.
As a design-build contractor, we plan the layout, pull the permits and build every part of it ourselves, including the custom carpentry on ceilings, walls and trim. You work with one team instead of juggling a patio installer, a carpenter, an electrician and a plumber.
- ✓ Covered patios, pavilions and outdoor rooms
- ✓ Outdoor kitchen construction with built-in appliances
- ✓ Gas, power and water planned with the design
- ✓ Custom carpentry done in-house
The Process
How an outdoor living project comes together
Most outdoor living projects take a few weeks of construction once permits are approved and materials are on site, and we set your schedule with your estimate.
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1
Site Visit & Design
We look at your yard, how you entertain and where the sun hits, then lay out the cooking, dining and lounging zones.
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2
Selections & Permits
Choose countertops, cabinets, appliances and roof style while we prepare the drawings your township needs.
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3
Foundation & Utilities
Footings, patio base and the gas, electric and water lines are run before anything goes on top.
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4
Build & Finish
Roof structure, kitchen island, counters, appliances, lighting and trim, then a final walkthrough together.
Covered vs. Open-Air
Covered outdoor kitchen or open-air patio kitchen?
Both can work well. In Western Pennsylvania weather, a roof over the kitchen usually gets you far more use out of it. Here is how the two compare.
| Covered Kitchen or Pavilion | Open-Air Patio Kitchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Rain & sun | Cook and eat under shelter in light rain or strong sun | Fully exposed, so weather decides when you use it |
| Usable stretch of the year | Longer, especially with heaters and a fireplace | Shorter, mostly the warmest stretch of the year |
| Wear on finishes | Counters, cabinets and appliances stay protected | More exposure to UV, rain, snow and ice |
| Extras | Ceiling fans, TVs, lighting and heaters can mount overhead | Limited to freestanding or post-mounted options |
| Smoke & venting | Needs planned ceiling height or a vent hood | Smoke clears naturally in the open air |
| Scope & permits | Larger project with a roof structure to permit | Simpler build with fewer structural parts |
Outdoor Kitchen Construction
What an outdoor kitchen in Pennsylvania needs
Outdoor kitchen construction here has to stand up to freeze-thaw cycles, when trapped moisture freezes, expands and cracks weak materials. That is why we build islands on solid footings with masonry or concrete block cores, and steer clients toward dense stone or porcelain counters and weatherproof cabinets made of stainless steel, marine-grade polymer or powder-coated aluminum.
A roof makes the biggest difference in how often you use the space. We build traditional timber pavilions and covered patios, and as a factory-authorized dealer we also install StruXure louvered roofs that open for sun and close for rain.
Layout
Grill, prep, sink and serving space arranged so the cook isn’t cut off from guests.
Materials
Masonry islands, dense stone or porcelain tops and cabinets that won’t rot or rust.
Utilities
Gas lines, outdoor-rated electric and water supply, planned before the patio is poured.
Winterizing
Shutoffs and drains placed so the water lines and fridge are easy to close down for winter.
Our Work
Outdoor living spaces we have built
Related Services
Round out the backyard with one team
Decks, Patios & Porches
Custom decks, paver patios and covered porches, built in-house.
Learn more →
Questions
Outdoor living & outdoor kitchen FAQs
What are the different types of outdoor living spaces?
The most common are ground-level patios, raised decks, outdoor kitchens and dining areas, covered structures like pavilions and pergolas, and enclosed spaces such as screened porches. Many of the projects we build combine several of these, for example a paver patio with a covered kitchen and a lounge area around a fire feature.
What are some ideas for an outdoor living space?
Popular ideas include a covered outdoor kitchen, a pavilion with a fireplace or fire table, a louvered pergola over the dining area and a lounge zone with TVs, heaters and layered lighting. As an outdoor living space contractor in Pittsburgh, we usually start by deciding how you want to use the space, then design the cooking, dining and relaxing zones around that.
What is the best material for an outdoor kitchen?
For the island frame, masonry or concrete block on proper footings holds up best because it will not rot, rust or warp. Dense granite, quartzite or porcelain make durable countertops, while indoor engineered quartz can discolor outdoors. For cabinets, high-grade stainless steel, marine-grade polymer and powder-coated aluminum all handle Pennsylvania winters well.
How do you protect an outdoor kitchen in winter?
Shut off the water supply and drain the lines, sink and any outdoor refrigerator so nothing freezes and bursts. Clean and protect stainless surfaces, unplug the fridge and prop its door open to prevent mold, and cover the grill and appliances with breathable covers. We place shutoffs and drains during construction so winterizing is quick each year.
Are outdoor kitchens worth it in a cold climate like Pittsburgh?
They can be, especially if you entertain often and the kitchen sits under a roof. A covered kitchen with heat and lighting gets used for a much larger part of the year than an open grill station. Most homeowners find the real value is in the extra living space they enjoy every week, not just resale.
What are the disadvantages of an outdoor kitchen?
An outdoor kitchen is a real construction project, and in Western Pennsylvania it needs yearly winterizing to protect the plumbing and appliances. Open-air kitchens also take more wear from sun, snow and ice. Choosing weather-rated materials and adding a roof cuts down on both maintenance and downtime.
Does an outdoor living space add value to a home?
A well-built outdoor living space with quality materials, a cover and a layout that flows from the house tends to appeal to buyers and help a home stand out. Value depends on build quality and how well the project fits your home and neighborhood, so we design it to match the scale and style of the house.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
Every outdoor living project is quoted after we visit the site and review the scope with you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and we’ll give you a written estimate.
Where We Build
Outdoor living spaces across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Based in New Castle, we build outdoor kitchens, pavilions and covered patios anywhere within about 90 minutes of our shop, covering the entire Pittsburgh area and the communities around it.
Premier Custom Builders
4471A Mitchell Road, New Castle, PA 16105
724-944-0920 · By appointment
PA HIC #028559