Outdoor cabinets are among the most consequential purchases in any outdoor living project. Choose outdoor cabinet materials well, and you have a functional, beautiful outdoor kitchen space that lasts for decades. Choose poorly, and you'll be dealing with swollen doors, corroded hardware, and fading finishes within two or three seasons. Not all outdoor cabinets are built the same, and the differences are not always visible at first glance. Use our expert tips to know what truly matters for materials, construction, finishes, hardware, and what separates a genuinely outdoor-rated product from one that simply looks the part in a showroom.