FAQs

What does ‘Al Fresco’ mean?
Al Fresco is an Italian phrase that literally means ‘in the fresh air’, so dining al fresco means eating outside.
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Why are Fresco Frames™ made of steel?
Outdoor kitchens can be made of stone, wood or steel. Stone [blocks, bricks, rough cut stone] are slow to install, difficult to use to achieve exact dimensions and take up a lot of space. Wood rots, warps and burns. More and more buildings use metal stud partitioning today and Fresco Frames™ are a refinement on that technique. We use galvanized sheet metal identical to that found in metal studs but with the added advantage that it is cut precisely to length and pre-drilled.
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How hard is it to rivet them together?
Anyone with normal strength can do this. You can use a hand riveting tool. If you are planning to assemble a large number of frames you might consider renting a pneumatic riveter and compressor. These tools can place up to thirty rivets a minute.
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Can they be taken apart again?
Yes, but you must drill out the rivets to do so. Fresco Frames™ are intended to be permanent.
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What other tools do I need to assemble Fresco Frames™?
None. There is no cutting, drilling, clamping or measuring required.
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How do I attach them to each other?
By using the same rivets and our connector plates.
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How do I attach them to the ground?
There are three ways to attach Fresco Frames™ to the ground: 1. On wood or Trex type decks use half inch lag bolts with iron washers. Drill directly through beams that lie flat on their backs. Drill next to beams that lie on edge and pin them with the washer. 2. On concrete slabs use half inch anchor bolts, washers and nuts. Drill as above. 3. Or with concrete use Hilti or Simpson powder charge bolts. Fire bolts through beams lying flat on their backs.
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What is used to make the walls?
We recommend the use of half-inch cementboard such as Hardibacker™ or Durock™. This is the same product used in internal bathrooms. This can be attached directly to the steel frames with both Liquid Nails and anti-jacking wafer-head drywall-to-metal screws. We recommend you use both. The cementboard then readily accepts tiles, stucco, Owens Corning Cultured Stone™, El Dorado manufactured stone or even granite or marble.
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What is used to make the countertops?
The countertops are exposed directly to the elements and must withstand heat, rain and snow. We recommend you use only non-organic materials. Use half inch cementboard, screwed and glued as above as an underlay. Use granite slab, granite tile, porcelain tile, floor stone tiles, slate or marble to make the tops as formal or as rustic as you like. Seal all grout lines. For installations using granite slab countertop construction, Al Fresco Concepts offers stainless steel trim for the counter to bar backsplash and the front vertical return of the bar. This is entirely a matter of personal aesthetics.
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Are the frames weatherproof?
Yes. We are surrounded by countless examples of galvanized steel structures. Traffic light poles, chainlink fences, barns, sheds, light poles, flag poles and antenna masts are all examples of outdoor steel structures protected with galvanizing.
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How high is the counter top?
It is thirty-six inches as assembled. The actual working height when finished will be thirty six inches plus the thickness of the cementboard and granite, or tile, minus the thickness of any stone or tile laid on the ground after the frames are installed. This is similar to an indoor kitchen.
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How high is the bartop?
The bar top is forty-two inches as assembled and has the same provisos as the countertop.
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Can I add electrical outlets?
Electrical outlets can be added in three general locations: 1. On the splashback of the countertop. 2. Against the back wall under the counter [for appliances or recessed lighting]. 3. On any vertical cementboard face. ELECTRICAL WIRING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN. OBEY ALL CODES FOR OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL WIRING. FOLLOW ALL APPLIANCE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS. DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORDS.
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Can I add lighting?
If you have provided electrical power as above then it is possible to install standard low voltage halogen lighting below the bartop to wash the outer walls. Similarly it is possible to light counter interior storage space.
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Can I add hot and cold water?
Units CT1 and CC1 can be fitted with stainless steel sinks. Units CT1 and BT1 will accept a standard dishwasher. Any of these units will accommodate an electric water heater. FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND NATIONAL CODES. ONLY A LICENSED PLUMBER IS PERMITTED TO CONNECT TO CITY DRAINS. DRAINAGE MUST BE PROPERLY VENTILATED. DISHWASHERS AND WATER HEATERS REQUIRE DEDICATED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS. FOLLOW ALL MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS.
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What grills do you recommend?
There are hundreds of gas grills on the market today. We offer grill bases for Vermont Castings™ 32 inch and 44 inch built in grills. You can download the dimensions and specifications for these grills at: this linkHowever, we recommend that you compare different models and manufacturers before deciding on this investment. Bigger does not mean better, nor does more expensive. Please go to useful links
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Can your bases accommodate other grills?
As long as the depth front to back is 24 inches or less it is possible to modify, by shimming up or cutting down, the height of the cutout. This may require drilling of 1/8 inch holes. As the bases have no sides an extra wide or less than full width grill can also be fitted. This will require the extension of the walls and countertops adjacent to the grill.
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What kinds fo doors can I use?
You can use any doors that will physically fit in the openings between the rails. Make doorposts out of pressure treated 2 by 4 lumber, redwood, steel stud or purchase additional rails from us.
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How do you fit an appliance such as a refrigerator below the counter?
Omit the front lower cross beam on either a CT1 or a BT1. You will also need to add our appliance trim AT1 to cover up the exposed metal frame and/or stucco or stone edges.
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What tools are needed to assemble the Fresco Frames™?
You need a pop riveter. You can buy our tool TL1 or pick one up at any hardware store. This is the only tool you need to assemble the frames. You will need other tools, of course, for other parts of the project. For assembling multiple kitchens you may want to consider renting a pneumatic riveting tool with magazine-fed rivets.
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Can I buy spare parts?
Yes. All of the beams and connectors can be replaced individually should they be damaged. Your assembly instructions, which are available as .pdf download files, contain numbered parts diagrams. Please contact customer service for more details.
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Can I buy special frames for my own requirements?
Al Fresco Concepts is continuously developing other configurations for Fresco Frames™. Should you identify a specific need or wish to discuss an opportunity with us we would be glad to do so. However, to purchase parts other than complete standard modules you must first become a Fresco Frames™ Certified Installer. Please contact us directly for more information.
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What if I rivet the wrong pieces together?
You can easily undo any mistake by drilling out the rivet with a one-eighth inch drill bit. The holes are then reusable. If you run out of rivets we sell them online. They are countersunk one-eighth inch rivets.
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Can I make angles other than 90 degrees?
Yes, this has been done and our technical staff can assist you. Please call us or e-mail us with your specific needs.
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