Outdoor Living
Custom Outdoor Kitchens & Grill Islands
Built-in grill islands, bar seating, stone counters and storage — framed under a pergola or pavilion so the cook stays in the shade and the party stays outside.
An outdoor kitchen is a construction project with utilities in it, and the order of operations matters. Gas, water, drain and power have to be roughed in before masonry goes up. The shade structure has to be planned with the island so the cook is not standing in full sun. The counter has to be at a height that works standing up, with bar seating on the other side at a height that works sitting down.
We build the island, the structure over it and the surrounding deck or patio as one project, which is why the pieces line up.
At a glance
| Structure | Steel or masonry framed islands faced in stone, tile or stucco |
|---|---|
| Counters | Granite and dense natural stone — best performers in our climate |
| Utilities | Gas, water, drain and power roughed in before any masonry goes on |
| Appliances | Built-in grills, smokers, side burners, refrigeration, ice, storage |
| Shade | Pavilion or pergola positioned over the working side, not just the seating |
| Planning | Circulation and seating heights laid out before construction starts |
Not sure which option fits? That is what the on-site measure is for. We walk the property, show you samples and tell you honestly which material earns its cost on your job — and which does not. Call 682-456-8200 or request an estimate.
What We Build
Options, materials and how we detail them
Grill islands built around how you cook
Start with the appliances and work outward. A built-in grill needs specific cut-out dimensions and clearances; a smoker needs a landing zone; side burners, refrigeration, ice and storage all take counter run. We lay out the island around the equipment you actually intend to buy, not a generic footprint you then have to compromise into.
Poolside, we keep the working side away from the water, put bar seating on the pool side, and specify finishes that tolerate splash and sunscreen.
- Laid out around your actual appliances
- Landing zones either side of the grill
- Bar seating at proper counter height
- Splash- and sun-tolerant finishes
Shade over the cook, not just the guests
The most common mistake in outdoor kitchen design is putting the shade structure over the seating and leaving the grill in the open. In a North Texas summer that means nobody wants to cook, and the kitchen goes unused.
We size and position the pavilion or pergola so the working side of the island is covered, with clearance above the grill for heat and smoke and a ceiling height that keeps the space feeling open rather than closed in.
- Cover positioned over the working side
- Heat and smoke clearance above the grill
- Ceiling heights that stay open
- Fans, lighting and heaters integrated
Tied into the deck, patio and pool area
An outdoor kitchen only works if it connects to everywhere else — the back door, the dining table, the pool, the fire pit. We plan the circulation before the masonry starts: how food gets from the house to the island, where people stand while you cook, and where the traffic path runs so nobody walks between the cook and the grill.
Because we build the deck, the cover and the fence too, the levels, materials and finishes match across the whole space.
- Circulation planned before construction
- Levels matched to deck and patio
- Utilities roughed in before masonry
- Consistent materials across the space
The Standard
Why this job holds up
Framed and faced properly
Steel or masonry-framed islands faced in stone, tile or stucco — not a timber box with a veneer stuck on.
Utilities done first
Gas, water, drain and power roughed in and inspected before any finish material goes on.
Weather-rated finishes
Counters, doors and drawers specified for outdoor use so they survive sun, freeze and pool chemicals.
Designed for hosting
Seating, serving and traffic flow laid out so the cook is part of the party instead of stuck behind it.
Where We Work
Outdoor Kitchens across the DFW metroplex
We build this service in every city below. Pick yours for local permit notes, common HOA requirements and nearby projects.
Questions
What homeowners ask us about this
What does an outdoor kitchen cost?
A compact built-in grill island with stone facing and a stone counter is the entry point. Full kitchens with refrigeration, side burners, a smoker, sink and drain, bar seating and a pavilion overhead run considerably higher. Appliances are usually a third or more of the budget, so we price the construction and the equipment separately.
Do I need gas, water and electricity run out there?
Power, yes — at minimum for lighting and outlets. Gas depends on whether you want a built-in grill and burners rather than propane bottles. A sink needs supply and drain, which is the most involved of the three. We rough all of it in before masonry, because retrofitting afterwards means demolition.
Can you build an outdoor kitchen under an existing patio cover?
Often, yes — provided there is adequate clearance above the grill and the cover can take any additional lighting or fan loads. We check ventilation and clearance first, because a grill under a low, unventilated ceiling is a genuine fire concern.
What counter material holds up outdoors in Texas?
Granite and dense natural stone perform best in our climate — they take sun, freeze and pool chemicals without staining or breaking down. We steer clients away from materials that need annual sealing or that will not survive a hard freeze.
Get Started
Tell us about your project
Four short steps. A real person from Grace Construction follows up within one business day to book your on-site measure.
Call or text
682-456-8200Request Your Free Estimate
Four quick steps. No pressure, no obligation — just a straight answer and a fair number.
Let’s get your project measured and priced
Free on-site estimate across Alvarado, Burleson, Cleburne, Joshua, Mansfield, Midlothian, Waxahachie, Crowley, Grandview and Fort Worth.