What Makes a Timber Suitable for Outdoor Kitchens and Garden Bars?

Outdoor kitchen and bar areas are often exposed to many outdoor elements such as:

• rain and moisture
• changing temperatures
• UV exposure
• food preparation areas
• high foot traffic
• heat from BBQs and cooking equipment

Because of this, stability, durability and maintenance requirements all become important considerations. For many projects, homeowners are now leaning more towards thermally modified timbers, as well as naturally durable species with low maintenance finishes. Recently, common design choices include hidden fix systems and slatted screening designs. The right timber choice can help create an outdoor space that not only looks good initially but also performs well long-term.

Thermo Ayous for Contemporary Outdoor Bar Designs

Thermo Ayous has become increasingly popular for modern outdoor kitchens and garden bars thanks to its clean appearance and excellent stability. Its knot-free surface and smooth consistent grain make it especially suited to contemporary garden bars and outdoor kitchens, especially those creating a slatted feature wall, or even pergolas with Thermo Ayous cladding.

Because Thermo Ayous is thermally modified, it offers improved stability and reduced moisture movement compared to many untreated softwoods. This makes it particularly useful in exterior spaces where moisture exposure and temperature changes are common. Southgate Timber stocks several Thermo Ayous profiles suitable for modern outdoor projects including:

• 20 x 144mm 3 Stripe profile
• 20 x 95mm channel groove ST65
• 20 x 144mm channel groove, vertical fit ST6

Thermo Ayous can either be left to naturally weather to a silver-grey finish or regularly treated to help maintain its original tone, with Osmo UV Protection Oil 420 being a common choice. It’s also OLB certified, supporting responsible and legally sourced timber production for exterior architectural projects.

Western Red Cedar for Warm Natural Character

Western Red Cedar remains one of the most popular timber choices for outdoor entertaining spaces thanks to its warm tones and timeless natural appearance. Over the years, we’ve seen many outdoor kitchens and bars cladded with Cedar, even pergolas, feature walls, slatted screening accompanied with surrounding seating all built using Western Red Cedar.

Its lightweight structure and natural durability make it well suited to exterior use, while the variation in colour and grain helps create a softer more organic appearance compared to some thermally modified timbers. Southgate Timber stocks Western Red Cedar in a range of profiles including:

• 17 x 94mm tongue and groove ST0
• 18 x 144mm tongue and groove ST1
• 18 x 144mm channel groove, vertical fit ST6
• 18 x 144mm channel groove, horizontal fit ST10

Western Red Cedar is also PEFC certified, supporting responsibly sourced timber from sustainably managed forests. Similarly to Thermo Ayous and other timber species, it can also be left untreated to naturally silver over time, while products such as Osmo UV Protection Oil 420 are often used to help preserve its warmer natural colour tones.

Thermo-Ash for Premium Outdoor Spaces

For high-end outdoor kitchens and luxury garden bars, Thermory Benchmark Thermo-Ash offers one of the most premium finishes currently available, combining exceptional stability with a rich, clean appearance and pre-oiled finish. Southgate Timber stocks Thermory Benchmark Thermo-Ash cladding and decking profiles suitable for premium exterior projects.

Both Thermo-Ash cladding and decking are also available with hidden fix systems, helping create cleaner uninterrupted lines and a more refined contemporary finish across modern exterior projects. Its refined appearance makes it especially popular for luxury outdoor entertaining spaces like cladding an outdoor kitchen or bar, and premium decking areas. Thermo-Ash rhombus tiles have also become increasingly sought after within interior kitchen designs, both inside the home and in garden rooms designed as outdoor kitchen and entertaining spaces, thanks to their clean contemporary appearance and architectural finish.

Thermory Thermo-Ash arrives pre-oiled, which can be a major advantage for homeowners wanting less maintenance immediately after installation, with future maintenance top-ups commonly carried out using Thermory Dark Oil.

Timber Decking Around Outdoor Kitchens and Bars

Decking often becomes the foundation of outdoor entertaining areas, helping define seating zones and connect different areas of the garden together. When choosing decking around outdoor kitchens and bars, important considerations include the durability and stability of the species, the maintenance required, barefoot comfort, slip resistance, and when thinking about installation, drainage and airflow. Timber decking is also often preferred over alternative materials such as composite decking because it typically retains less surface heat in direct sunlight, making it a more comfortable option underfoot during warmer weather. Southgate Timber stocks several premium decking options suitable for outdoor entertaining spaces including:

• Ipe decking
• Thermory Thermo-Ash decking
• Thermory Spruce decking
• Jatoba decking
• Yellow Balau decking
• Iroko decking
• Thermowood Pine decking

Thermally modified decking materials are becoming increasingly common within contemporary outdoor entertaining spaces thanks to their improved stability, modern appearance and comfortable barefoot feel.

Ipe remains one of the leading premium hardwood decking choices for high-end exterior projects requiring exceptional durability and longevity, while Yellow Balau continues to be one of the most in-demand alternatives due to its similar rich hardwood appearance at a more affordable price point.

Our exterior decking products can either be left to naturally weather to a silver-grey finish or treated to help preserve their original colour. Owatrol treatment products remain popular choices for both regular cleaning and long-term timber maintenance across a wide range of decking projects.

Slatted Screening and Privacy Areas

One of the biggest trends in modern outdoor kitchens and garden bars is the use of slatted timber screening to create privacy, wind protection, feature walls, or zoning within the garden. P.A.R battens are commonly used to create these modern slatted designs, particularly using:

• Western Red Cedar
• Thermo Ayous
• Douglas Fir
• Larch
• Far Eastern Hardwood
• Yellow Balau

These slatted systems help soften outdoor spaces while still maintaining airflow and natural light.

Hidden Fix Systems and Exterior Fixings

Something important to mention if you’re considering starting an outdoor kitchen or bar project is the necessity of using the correct fixings due to regular weather exposure and changing moisture conditions. Southgate Timber stocks a range of stainless steel and appropriate fixings such as:

• Spax stainless steel façade screws
• Spax specialist decking screws
• DeckWise hidden fix clips
• Thermory fixing systems
• Stainless steel nails
• Paslode stainless steel brads

Using suitable exterior-grade fixings helps reduce staining, corrosion, premature movement and maintenance issues over time. Hidden fix systems are also increasingly popular on premium outdoor projects because they create a cleaner more contemporary appearance around seating and entertaining areas.

Final Thoughts

Modern outdoor kitchens and garden bars require timber products that combine appearance, durability and long-term exterior performance. Cladding combined with suitable decking, slatted screening and hidden fix systems, timber can help create outdoor entertaining spaces that feel both functional and visually impressive throughout the year.

FAQs

What timber is best for outdoor kitchens?

Thermo Ayous, Thermo-Ash and Western Red Cedar are all popular choices for outdoor kitchens due to their durability, stability and exterior performance.

Can timber be used around BBQ areas?

Yes. Suitable exterior timber can be used around outdoor cooking and BBQ areas when correctly designed and installed with appropriate spacing and ventilation.

What timber is best for garden bars?

Western Red Cedar and Thermo Ayous are commonly used for garden bars because of their appearance, stability and suitability for slatted contemporary designs.

What decking works best around outdoor entertaining spaces?

Premium hardwood decking such as Ipe and Yellow Balau, along with thermally modified decking likeThermo-Ash, are all popular options for outdoor entertaining areas.