Large backyard, long utility runs
A patio at the back of a deep lot needs longer utility lines. We plan the route to avoid trees, other lines and landscaping.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Northbrook, IL
Built-in grills, islands and outdoor sinks for Northbrook backyards, built for Chicago winters.
- Local crews working in Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Outdoor kitchen questions we solve for Northbrook backyards
An outdoor kitchen here has to survive freeze-thaw cycles, snow load and road-salt air, not just summer cookouts. We build grill islands in Northbrook on a proper base, with weather-rated materials, gas and electrical run to code and plumbing that can be drained before the first hard frost.
Running a gas line to the grill
A built-in grill on natural gas needs a line from the house, sized for the appliances and installed with a permit. We coordinate it with a licensed gas installer as required.
Food storage and a fridge outdoors
An outdoor fridge must be rated for outdoor use and installed with the clearances its maker lists.
Wanting a sink outside
Rinsing and cleanup outside is easier with a sink, but the drain route and freeze protection have to be solved first.
Pipes that freeze over winter
Water lines to an outdoor sink must be drainable. We install shutoffs inside the heated house and drain points so the line can be emptied before freezing weather.
No power on the patio
Lights, a fridge and a rotisserie need outdoor power. We run a circuit to the island with GFCI-protected, weather-rated outlets and covers.
Protecting it through winter
Winter care is simple when the kitchen is built for it: shut off and drain the water, cover the grill and keep the top sealed.
Uneven patio or no base to build on
If the existing patio is cracked or sloped, we fix the base before building anything on top of it.
What's included
- Site visit and measurementsWe look at the patio, the house wall, gas and electrical locations and how you want to use the space.
- Design and layoutYou get a plan showing the island shape, grill location and finishes.
- Permits and approvalsWe apply for the permits the village requires and help with HOA submissions if needed.
- Base and footingA concrete pad or footing is poured, or the existing patio is checked and prepared.
- Utility rough-inLines are run to the island location and roughed in before it is built.
- Island framingWe frame the island with weather-rated materials and cut-outs for the grill and doors.
- Testing and walkthroughEvery connection is checked, and you get a walkthrough on operation and fall shutdown.
Finishes and options
Natural gas or propane grillsBuilt-in grills run on a natural gas line from the house or a propane tank in a vented cabinet.
Block and steel-stud framesMasonry or steel framing is chosen over wood for long outdoor life.
Concrete countertops and basesCast or poured concrete gives a solid, weather-rated top or island body.
Pergolas and coversOverhead structures make the space usable in more weather and are planned with grill clearances.
Stone and brick veneerBrick or stone veneer matches the house or patio and weathers well.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation before and after — Northbrook homes
Before
In progress
AfterA Northbrook patio off the kitchen: before and after
A patio off the kitchen near Downtown Northbrook, a typical kitchen for Northbrook. What bothered the owners most: a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. The result: an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill and side burner, a stone veneer base, a granite top and a pergola overhead. The job covered design and layout, permits and approvals, plus testing and walkthrough.
Before
AfterGlenview kitchen, patio off the kitchen: outdoor kitchen installation
A patio off the kitchen near The Grove, a typical kitchen for Glenview. The main complaint was a freestanding grill with nowhere to prep. Finished kitchen: an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill and side burner, a stone veneer base, a granite top and a pergola overhead. On site this meant site visit and measurements, design and layout, plus permits and approvals.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Northbrook
Finished: cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Northbrook →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen cabinet painting
Finished: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Northbrook →
Before
AfterA Northbrook 1960s ranch: before and after
New five-piece shaker doors in soft white on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Northbrook →From first visit to final walk-through
- Tell us about your yardA few pictures and your wish list help us plan the first visit.
- Site visit and designOn site we confirm the location, utility routes and finishes.
- Written estimate and permitsYou get an itemized estimate, and once approved, we apply for permits.
- BuildBase, utilities, framing, finishes and appliances, with inspections where required.
- Startup and handoverWe test everything with you and explain care and winterizing.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation questions from Northbrook homeowners
What countertop works best outside?
Sealed granite and properly made concrete hold up well. Some light-colored and softer stones are less suited to freeze-thaw.
Natural gas or propane?
Both work well. The choice depends on what's available at your house and how far the island is from the meter.
Can you build on my existing patio?
We inspect the patio before designing; a heavy masonry island needs a solid foundation.
Is an outdoor kitchen worth it in Chicago?
For people who grill a lot, yes. Choosing weather-rated materials and a drainable water line is what makes it last here.
What appliances can go in an outdoor kitchen?
We install the grill and any outdoor-rated appliances you choose and plan the space around them.
Northbrook plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for outdoor kitchen project?
Plumbing contractors: no village fee; must submit a copy of the State of Illinois Plumbing Contractor Registration (055). Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Does Northbrook require a licensed electrician for outdoor kitchen project?
Electrical contractor license $70; must submit a copy of a valid electrician's registration with the application. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Northbrook building permit for outdoor kitchen project: where do I apply?
Permits go through Development & Planning Services, phone 847-664-4050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a Northbrook-registered contractor for outdoor kitchen project?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for outdoor kitchen project in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Outdoor Kitchen Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.