Tips and Ideas for Designing your Outdoor Kitchen with Staron Solid Surface

Staron performs exceptionally well with the outdoor elements; a large selection of the colour range is available for outdoor applications. If you have some protection from all day sun, then additional options are available to select from.

Staron is manufactured from a mineral and acrylic resin, the high-quality of these ingredients deliver a product that is UV stable and non-porous.

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When considering Staron Solid Surface for exterior areas attention to detail is required. Expansion and contraction in products are greater in outdoor environments and allowances for movement will need to be taken into consideration. In addition, the selection of exterior grade substrates will be required for long term performance of joinery.

Known for its high performance in benchtop applications, Staron also offers an excellent surface solution for doors and drawers. Staron is an easy to clean surface for these highly exposed outdoor applications.

Integration of Barbeque

Due to the availability of countless styles of Barbeques on the market and the various design possibilities for cabinet design, there can be many unknowns across these types of applications. For Staron Solid Surface to be covered by Austaron Surfaces warranty, the following recommendations are required.

Specify Staron to the left and right of the BBQ benchtop. Do not wrap Staron Solid Surface seamlessly under or around the back of the BBQ; an insulation jacket is required to deflect heat from any possibility of damaging the surface. Substrates are to be manufactured in exterior grade products. Staron and aluminium channel are recommended options for subframe.

Heat detector sensors are required to be applied under the benchtop as per standard Staron fabrication requirements around gas cooktops. Heat tapes should be applied where relevant.

Staron Solid Surface is excellent for these applications when installed correctly.

There can be other ways to achieve successful design outcomes for outdoor kitchens, variations to the above can be addressed. The below check list will assist for the creation of different design options; however, alternate design will be at the owners/designer’s own risk.

Staron with integrated BBQ, expansion joint at back left of BBQ. Custom Insulation jacket with vents in facia panel detail. Staron fixed panels and drawers, and outdoor tabletop.

• Cut-outs require a large coved internal corner to allow for expansion and contraction.
• Silicon joints should be considered for high movement areas.
• Use an insulation jacket or build an insulative surround.
• Include insulation tape between the stainless-steel flashing and the Staron Solid Surface benchtop where relevant.
• Allow for expansion and contraction for benchtop movement, and for substrate requirements.
• Coved Internal benchtop corners offer the strongest joint for L & U shape design.
• Minimise unnecessary joints.
• Staron at 12mm thick is perfect when working within sheet size.
• Allow for ample venting within the joinery.
• Venting is recommended behind a BBQ for cooking with closed hoods as heat pushes out from the back of the hood. Trapped heat at the back of the bench can generate more extreme expansion and contraction.
• Consider the addition of a rang hood if there are minimal vented/open areas.
• Request off cuts of Staron; should damage ever occur it is repairable.
• Barbecues are available with integrated insulation jackets ready to be built in. Some are offered as a separate item and others do not cater and, a custom unit will be required. Insulation jackets are required under NCC when installing, into combustible materials.
• Ultimately know your BBQ, assess the heat that will be generated and design to the expected use its requirements.

Staron Solid Surfaces are Group 1 Fire rated to AS5637.1 (AUS) & Group 1S Fire rated to C/VM2 (NZ) Staron is not a flammable product however if excessive heat from BBQ’s and other heating elements are not taken into consideration damage may occur over time.

For more information read Austaron’s article on tips for designing with Staron and flood resilient homes