How To Choose The Perfect Countertop for Your Outdoor Kitchen

A great deal of time, energy and expense must be invested to design the perfect outdoor kitchen. It is essential that no component is overlooked, most especially the countertop, as this is where your utensils and meals will be prepared.

Best Materials for Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

Weather is the first thing that must be taken into consideration when choosing the countertop material. You want something that is both durable and resistant to a variety of weather conditions, whether it is dry, hot or bone chilling cold. The best landscaping materials that money can buy are concrete, granite or tile, and although quartz has been increasing in popularity, the pigmentation isn’t optimal for use outdoors since its color will change over time.

While marble is beautiful, it is best reserved for indoor countertops since its porous structure means it can also discolor from the outdoor elements or food stains, and the same is true for limestone. Granite is highly regarded since it offers the advantages of toughest and durability and will not wear down visually. However, you will want to choose lighter granite as opposed to darker granite, since the dark material will absorb the sunlight’s heat and become extremely hot whenever it is touched. The only downside to granite is that it does require a degree of maintenance, and must be sealed every 6 to 12 months. The good news is that this process is quick, easy, and affordable and can therefore be done DIY.

Tile Vs. Concrete

Tile offers the widest range of color choices and as such can complement a variety of outdoor styles. At the same time, those that live in colder zones might find that their tiles are more vulnerable to cracking. The solution to this problem is to purchase tile which is freeze proof or all weather. The grout is still susceptible to staining so darker materials are best especially for those that will do lots of outdoor barbecues.

Concrete offers exceptional durability and versatility, but it has to be installed by an expert otherwise it can crack and suffer weather damage. The good thing about concrete is that you can use any style, design or shade you wish but like grout it is also vulnerable to stains so it has to be resealed periodically.

You want your outdoor kitchen countertops to last as long as possible so that they can live up to your expectations and needs, but for people on a budget tile is probably the best option. Regardless of the material you choose, it is essential to thoroughly review your kitchen design plans with a professional contractor so that you know the advantages and disadvantages of each material option. Ideally, your countertops should be the final touch of an outdoor kitchen which is masterfully designed and well worth the money you invested into it.