4 Delightful Outdoor Kitchen Cover Ideas to Maximize Comfort

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Do you need a cover for your outdoor kitchen? The short answer is no, but I highly recommend these outdoor kitchen cover ideas to maximize comfort and convenience.

Pergolas are a less expensive choice that work well, especially in climates where the sun is the main concern. Roofing is a pricier solution that works better if you’re worried about rain. The biggest question is which one should you choose?

Even though your location and climate is crucial to make an informed choice, there are three other factors you should take into consideration:

• durability
• style
• budget

Adding a covering to an outdoor kitchen is also a perfect opportunity to introduce new features, such as fans or heaters.

Let’s see what covers your outdoor kitchen needs to be as comfortable as possible!

Does My Outdoor Kitchen Need to Be Covered ?

To cover an outdoor kitchen, owners usually take into consideration these four options: canopy, pergola, gazebo, and roof. All of them have strong and weak points, so let’s break them down real quick.

• A canopy uses a support structure like a wall or a pole.

• A pergola uses beams or rafters to create a small roof.

• A gazebo is a more private option with walls and a small roof.

• A roof is a standard covering for any structure.

Canopies and pergolas do great in rather dry areas (and they look great on a patio), though they’re not much help in the winter. Gazebos and roofs work better for a variety of weather types, but usually require a heftier budget. 

	Canopy	Pergola	Gazebo	Roof
Price	50$ – 500$	300$ – 15000$	300$ – 20000$	7000$ – 11000$
Style variety	*	**	***	***
Durability	*	***	***	***
Security	*	**	***	***

Choosing the best solution for your household depends heavily on your location. Usually owners want to use their outdoor kitchen year-round, so analyzing your climate is crucial.

You need to figure what your outdoor kitchen area needs to be protected from, such as heavy sunlight, regular rain or snow flurries. Below is a quick rating system on how these cover ideas hold up to weather, with one star being the weakest and three stars the toughest.

	Canopy	Pergola with canopy	Gazebo	Roof
Sun	***	***	***	***
Rain	**	**	***	***
Snow	*	*	***	***

If you need help matching your outdoor kitchen cover ideas to your climate, check out this map by the National Center of Environmental Information.

Just how wet does your state get once it gets hot? States with the most rain during summer are:

If you live in one of these states, you should definitely consider a solid roof that’s going to cover your outdoor kitchen’s appliances.

On the other hand, citizens of the following states experience the least amount of rain and snow during the year:

Less water means an outdoor kitchen does better with casual covers like a canopy. You can also give your outdoor kitchen covers another huge advantage: the possibility of installing a wet fan.

Let’s dive deeper into the four outdoor kitchen cover ideas: canopy, pergola, gazebo, and roof.

What Canopies are Best for My Outdoor Kitchen Cover Ideas?

There are plenty of canopies you can use for an al fresco kitchen. The size of the canopy depends on the area you need to cover.

Use a meter to check the depth and length of the construction. For example, a standard solution like this one could work just fine. It can cover up to 169 square feet and has wind vented peaks for airflow.

For a more stylish look, consider a sail shade instead. This cover idea is easy to use and install, especially if you have plenty of existing walls or poles to hook it onto. If you have no poles, though, you’ll have to factor those into your final price.

The advantage of canopies is they’re pretty easy to start using and don’t require costly installation services or a permit to install. On the other hand, they’re pretty fragile and might not last longer than five years.

Does a Pergola Work With an Outdoor Kitchen?

The pergola is a fantastic option for people who love the romantic look of an ivy-covered ceiling. It’s the go-to classy look for the indoor-outdoor dining experience and one of my favorite outdoor kitchen cover ideas.

Pergolas are usually made out of wood, but there are plenty of other material options including:

• vinyl
• fiberglass
• aluminum
• CPVC
• brick and stone

The outdoor experience should be similar to an indoor one — or even better! — so it’s worth looking around before picking your cover. 

For some people, unpainted wood is going to work great, while others may prefer vinyl’s moisture-resistant qualities. Remember that pergolas can get pretty warm from the sun, so it’s worth checking your materials for heat-resistant features before committing.

For example, if you want wood, you’ll have to prep it to make sure it doesn’t grow mold or pest infestations. A great idea would be to have it build from glulam, a “super wood” that’s resistant to water.

If you have experience painting wood, you could also commit to routine varnish applications every few years.

Overall, this solution works better in sunnier and not-so-wet areas. If you need a more universal variation, you’ll need a permanent roof (e.g. acrylic glass).

Is a Gazebo a Good Choice for an Outdoor Kitchen?

Building a gazebo in the garden might be an excellent idea, especially when it adds to the style of the property. Larger properties benefit the most since gazebos take up a lot of space with the foundation, fencing, and roofing.

Gazebos are usually built out of wood or metal and are covered with a roof. 

If your dream is to have a beautiful wooden gazebo, it’s vital to check its quality. Gazebos cost a substantial amount of money and are supposed to last for many years.

To age well, a wooden gazebo needs to be created from excellent quality wood that’s been seasoned and treated. Any lingering imperfections, such as knots or splints, could lead to issues like rot or cracking in the future.

A solid type of wood for a gazebo is glulam. Manufacturers strengthen this wood with laminations and adhesives to keep it strong in the long term. However, you can use other types of wood enhanced with impregnation resins.

Gazebos made out of metal are usually less pricy than wooden. Although metal seems to be lower maintenance material, I recommend checking it 1-2 times a year for rust or corrosion.

Last but not least, a very important factor in buying a proper gazebo for your outdoor kitchen is safety. A roof should be either high or have proper ventilation such as large windows — you don’t want anything to catch fire!

A gazebo is a universal solution works during sunny, rainy, and even snowy weather. If you want some inspiration for your gazebo, check out my outdoor kitchen round-up for covered bars, pools, and more.

How Do I Cover an Outdoor Kitchen Against a Wall?

Need some outdoor kitchen cover ideas for a unique wall set-up? Setting up your kitchen against a wall actually has some advantages:

• easier plumbing work
• easier electrical work
• faster to style with limited space

If you’ve built your garden kitchen against the wall, a roof is going to be an excellent choice of coverage. While you’ll need professional installation services, the result will be a dependable cover that holds up year-round.

How big should be a roof over an outdoor kitchen?

The size of the roof depends on the size and shape of the kitchen area. Usually all the appliances and countertops are placed under the roof.

How should the roof over an outdoor kitchen look?

The easiest answer to this question is: the same, or as similar as possible to the roof to the house. This way it looks coherent, and presents well on the photos if you decide someday to sell the property.

How to Choose a Style of Coverage for an Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen should reflect the style of the property and so should your outdoor kitchen cover ideas.

If you’re wondering what’s going to work best for you, just walk around your house and backyard and look for things you can copy in the covering, such as your ceiling style, color, or lighting fixtures.

Taking the time to put together a gazebo, pergola, or canopy together can even give you a boost in ROI. A 2021 study by Realtor.com saw homes with these outdoor coverings selling nearly 40% faster than homes without.

Fans, Heaters and Lighting for an Outdoor Kitchen

Your outdoor kitchen cover ideas should also take into account appliances. For cooling up in the summer, a wet fan might be your new favorite idea.

Wet fans come in a wide price range between $80 to $900. You can also find portable versions to move indoors and outdoors.

You can increase your outdoor kitchen’s year-round comfort with heater installation, too. Outdoor heaters can be placed on the ceiling, but also just put on the floor.

If you need some inspiration for lighting, check out my blog post on outdoor kitchen lighting ideas. Without proper lighting, your outdoor kitchen will be useless after sunset – both cooking and eating won’t be safe.

Enjoyed these outdoor kitchen cover ideas? Get more design inspiration from these fun and practical blog posts:

• 22 Front Door Ideas That’ll Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
• Easy & Feasible Outdoor Grill Station Design Ideas [21 pics]
• Which Outdoor Kitchen Counter Height and Depth is The Best?