Q: I want to convert my HDB maisonette’s balcony into a kitchen. What materials should I use for the cabinet, table top, flooring and roof, and what design issues do I have to watch out for?

A: Choose tough surfacing materials like homogeneous floor tiles and granite counters, which won’t change colour under fierce sunlight. A stainless steel hob is also sun-proof. Use a glazed tile backsplash as stainless steel absorbs and radiates heat. In exposed areas, it would be best to use a harder wood flooring like chengai or balau. Use teak only if you will invest in a marine varnish to seal the surfaces and don’t mind a shiny finish.

Polycarbonate is a popular translucent roofing, and will satisfy your need for natural light while sheltering your kitchen from rain. However, roofing over the entire area will prevent air from circulating underneath, and heat will build up. So, roof over no more than two-thirds of the balcony for your storage cabinets and cooking area. Include a wall or ceiling fan in your plans too.
You can make your outdoor kitchen comfortable all day if you invest in dedicated sun-shading materials. In this rooftop kitchen by Urban Environment (pictured above), the transparent roof is made of ceramic-coated glass panels that cut down heat by 50 per cent. The designers even ran a waterfall over the roof, which further cools the interior while creating a pretty water curtain.
But before you start on your renovation, do check with your HDB town council if shifting the kitchen to the balcony is allowed. If it isn’t, keep the cooking area indoors and spread out the preparatory and dining area outdoors.

Credits
Photography: M.D Basheer
Styling: Nonie Chen