Outdoor Fireplaces & Kitchens

Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens extend your living space beyond your home's walls. They create gathering spots where friends and family want to spend time. They add significant value to your property. Most importantly, they let you enjoy California's beautiful weather while cooking, entertaining, and relaxing outdoors.

Here in Salinas, CA, our climate is perfect for outdoor living. You can use your outdoor kitchen and fireplace almost year-round. Imagine grilling dinner on a warm summer evening or gathering around a crackling fire on a cool winter night. These features turn your backyard from unused space into your favorite room of the house.

At SLM Salinas Masonry, we design and build custom outdoor fireplaces and kitchens that fit your lifestyle and budget. We don't use prefabricated kits or cookie-cutter designs. Every project is custom-built to match your home's architecture, complement your landscape, and provide the functionality you need.

Your outdoor kitchen can be as simple or elaborate as you want. We work with you to design a space that matches how you actually use your backyard.

Outdoor Kitchen Components

A complete outdoor kitchen includes multiple elements working together. Built-in grills provide convenient cooking without running back and forth to your house. Side burners let you prepare sauces and side dishes. Refrigerators keep food and drinks cold. Sinks with running water make food prep and cleanup easy. Storage cabinets keep utensils, plates, and supplies organized. Countertops provide work space for meal preparation.

Outdoor Fireplace Styles

Traditional wood-burning fireplaces create authentic ambiance with crackling logs and wood smoke aroma. Gas fireplaces offer convenience with instant ignition and no ash cleanup. Fire pits provide 360-degree warmth and viewing. We can build freestanding fireplaces, corner units, or fireplaces integrated into your outdoor kitchen structure. Materials like natural stone veneer and brick create stunning focal points.

Material and Style Choices

We build outdoor structures using materials designed for weather exposure. Natural stone creates timeless, rustic appeal. Brick offers classic elegance that never goes out of style. Stucco provides smooth, contemporary finishes. We can match your home's exterior or create contrasting accent features. All materials are sealed and weatherproofed for California's climate.

Essential Planning Elements

Every outdoor kitchen and fireplace project requires careful planning:

• Gas line installation for grills and gas fireplaces
• Electrical outlets for appliances and lighting
• Plumbing for sinks and ice makers
• Proper ventilation for cooking areas
• Weather-resistant countertop materials
• Integration with existing landscaping and hardscaping

Building outdoor kitchens and fireplaces requires more expertise than standard masonry work. These structures integrate utilities, withstand weather exposure, and must meet strict building codes and fire safety requirements. We handle every aspect of construction from design through final inspection.

Foundation work comes first. Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces are heavy structures that need solid support. We pour concrete footings and slabs that prevent settling and cracking. Proper drainage around the foundation prevents water accumulation that would undermine the structure over time.

Utility installation happens during construction. Licensed plumbers and electricians install gas lines, water supply, drains, and electrical service. Everything gets inspected and approved before we close up walls. This ensures your outdoor kitchen functions safely and reliably.

We coordinate outdoor kitchen and fireplace projects with other hardscape work. If you're also planning paver patios or walkways, we design everything as an integrated outdoor living space. This creates better flow between different areas and ensures consistent materials and style throughout your landscape.