What is Outdoor Kitchen Designer?

Outdoor Kitchen Designer manages 5 data types including cabinets. Helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 place for teams and solo users.

How much does a custom outdoor kitchen cost in Sydney?

A custom outdoor kitchen in Sydney typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000+. Entry-level: $10,000–$15,000. Medium: $15,000–$25,000. Luxury: $25,000+. Use the free planner at customoutdoorkitchensydney.com.au for an instant estimate tailored to your suburb.

Do I need council approval for an outdoor kitchen in Sydney?

In most cases across Sydney, if the outdoor kitchen is within an existing covered alfresco or pergola structure, no additional council approval is required. A DA or CDC may be needed for a new roofed structure. Requirements vary by council — MJ Leckie Carpentry can guide you through the process.

What materials are best for an outdoor kitchen in Sydney's climate?

MJ Leckie Carpentry recommends waterproof Stylex board carcasses, polytec Alfresco Alloy frame doors (7-year warranty, Australian Made), and Smartstone Sintered Collection benchtops (100% UV stable, 15-year warranty). These materials are engineered for Sydney's coastal and suburban conditions.

How long does it take to build a custom outdoor kitchen?

From signed quote to completion: 8–14 weeks. Cabinet manufacture: 4–6 weeks. Installation: 1–2 days. Benchtop templating and fabrication: 2–4 weeks. MJ Leckie Carpentry services all Sydney suburbs.

Where does MJ Leckie Carpentry build outdoor kitchens?

MJ Leckie Carpentry builds custom outdoor kitchens across all Sydney suburbs including the Northern Beaches, North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and Lower North Shore. Popular areas include Palm Beach, Manly, Mosman, Chatswood, Bondi, Balmain and beyond.

Product Guide · Outdoor Benchtops

Smartstone Sintered Collection —
The Right Benchtop for Outdoor Kitchens

Why we specify Smartstone Sintered on every outdoor kitchen build — and what makes it different from standard engineered stone.

⚠️ Important: The Smartstone Sintered Collection (launched March 2024) is a completely different product from the old Smartstone engineered stone (quartz). The old quartz product has been discontinued and was not suitable for outdoor use. Always confirm you are being quoted the Sintered Collection for outdoor applications.

Standard engineered stone (quartz) is manufactured for indoor use. UV exposure causes it to fade, discolour, and eventually crack when used outdoors. This is why Smartstone discontinued their quartz outdoor range and launched the Sintered Collection — a fundamentally different material made from sintered porcelain.

Sintered stone is manufactured under extreme heat and pressure, resulting in a fully vitrified, non-porous surface that is genuinely rated for outdoor, UV, and BBQ-adjacent use.

Smartstone Sintered — Full Specifications

Material type	Sintered porcelain (not engineered quartz)
Thickness	20mm
UV stability	100% UV stable — will not fade or discolour outdoors
Porosity	Non-porous — no sealing required
Heat resistance	Non-combustible — hot pots and BBQ splatter will not damage
Thermal shock	Resistant — handles rapid temperature changes
Stain resistance	Highly resistant — clean with mild detergent
Warranty	15-year product warranty (outdoor use)
Range launched	March 2024 (replaced the discontinued engineered stone range)
Origin	Smartstone (Australian distributor)

Source: Smartstone product documentation. Specifications subject to change — confirm with Smartstone for warranty and technical requirements.

The Three Ranges

Pure

Entry tier. Solid colours and simple stone-look patterns. Practical and durable for everyday outdoor use.

Classic

Mid tier. More detailed stone and concrete-look patterns. The most popular range for Northern Beaches outdoor kitchens.

Deluxe

$$$

Premium tier. Book-matched veining, dramatic stone patterns. For high-end builds where the benchtop is a feature element.

Maintenance and Care

Daily cleaning

A damp cloth and mild detergent is all you need. No specialist cleaners required.

Tough stains

A diluted bleach solution (1:10) can be used for stubborn stains. Rinse thoroughly after.

Sealing

No sealing required. Smartstone Sintered is non-porous — there is nothing to seal.

Heat

Hot pots and BBQ equipment will not damage the surface. Avoid placing lit gas burners directly on the benchtop.

Coastal care

Rinse with fresh water monthly in coastal areas to remove salt deposits.

Scratching

Sintered stone is very hard and scratch-resistant, but use a chopping board for knives as with any kitchen surface.

Explore More

Outdoor Kitchen Guides

Suburbs We Serve

Our Services

MJ Leckie Carpentry · Custom outdoor kitchens · Northern Beaches, Sydney NSW

0482 088 410

Specify Smartstone Sintered for Your Build

MJ Leckie Carpentry supplies and installs Smartstone Sintered benchtops as standard on all outdoor kitchen builds across the Northern Beaches.

Design with Live Pricing → 0482 088 410

Smartstone Sintered Collection —The Right Benchtop for Outdoor Kitchens