Outdoor living
Custom Outdoor Kitchens
Serious masonry for serious grilling. Stop running back to the house.
- Designed and built in-house
- No subcontractors
- Free on-site consultation
Cook Outside. Stay Outside.
An outdoor kitchen keeps the cook in the middle of the party instead of isolated inside the house. It changes how you entertain. We design and build heavy stone grill islands that give you everything you need right on the patio. We integrate high-end built-in grills, wide prep spaces, refrigeration, and specialized areas for smokers like the Big Green Egg. We finish the entire structure in custom stonework that directly matches the aesthetic of your home.
Building a real outdoor kitchen requires precision. The masonry has to be flawless so the stainless steel appliances slide in perfectly. The stone must support heavy granite or concrete countertops without shifting. The underlying structure has to withstand extreme heat from the grill and extreme cold during the Illinois winter. We over-engineer these structures from the ground up, utilizing heavy concrete footings and solid block framing.
We manage the entire build process. We handle the patio excavation, the block laying, the stone veneering, and the coordination of the gas and electrical lines. Whether you want a compact grill station for family dinners or an expansive L-shaped bar that seats ten people under a covered pavilion, we have the craftsmanship to build it correctly the first time.
How We Build It
- Deep Concrete Foundations: A full stone island with granite tops is massively heavy. We excavate and pour reinforced concrete footings so the kitchen never settles or cracks your patio.
- Solid Block Construction: We build the framework out of heavy cinder block and mortar. This is a permanent masonry structure, not a flimsy metal frame covered in thin board.
- Utility Coordination: We map out and coordinate all underground plumbing, gas lines, and electrical conduits. Every outlet, fridge plug, and grill connection is planned before the first block is laid.
- Appliance Integration: We build precise openings for built-in grills, side burners, under-counter refrigerators, sinks, trash pull-outs, and stainless access doors.
- Smoker Bays: We frequently design custom dropped bays specifically to hold heavy ceramic smokers like the Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe, placing the cooking grate flush with the countertop.
- Premium Stone Veneers: We face the block core with your choice of high-end natural stone or architectural cultured stone, carefully cutting pieces to fit tightly around appliance flanges.
- Heavy Countertops: We finish the islands with thick slabs of custom granite, heavy natural flagstone, or poured concrete, providing a durable and beautiful prep surface.
- Bar Seating: We design raised tiers or extended overhangs to create bar seating, giving your guests a place to sit and talk while you grill.
Featured Projects
Why JS Lawn
In-house Design-Build
Our team builds the entire structure. We do not farm out the block laying or the stone cutting to third parties. We own the quality.
Engineered Base Work
We build on solid foundations. We pour serious concrete footings under every kitchen island to guarantee long-term stability.
Family-Run Integrity
We operate right here in the Metro East. When you communicate with us, you are speaking directly to the people building your project.
Built to Endure
A true outdoor kitchen faces rain, snow, and extreme heat. We use heavy masonry techniques so your investment outlasts the appliances.
Where We Build
We construct high-end outdoor kitchens in Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, and right here in Granite City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices are driven heavily by the size of the stone island and your choice of appliances. It is a substantial investment that we price accurately during our design consultation.
We build openings for heavy gas grills, side burners, outdoor-rated refrigerators, drop-in coolers, stainless storage drawers, and custom bays for smokers like the Big Green Egg.
We handle the complete coordination of all utilities. Your kitchen will have the necessary gas lines, heavy electrical circuits, and task lighting installed properly before the stone is laid.
We design both. A covered kitchen under a pavilion offers weather protection, while an open kitchen is perfect for poolside grilling. We will help you determine the best layout.
Ready to Build Your Outdoor Space?
Call (618) 560-4959 or schedule a free consultation.