When people think of countertops, they first think of indoor kitchens or even bathrooms. Maybe a wet bar comes to mind, but what about when you’re building an outdoor kitchen? Are there things to keep in mind? What type of countertop materials should you consider? Is one better than the other when it comes to outdoor elements?
Let’s take a look at some of the better choices worth noting, if you’re building an outdoor kitchen.
What are the best countertop materials to use for an outdoor kitchen?
Consider how the environment will play a factor in your outdoor kitchen. Will it be under a roof, or open to the elements? Will the sun be continually beating down on the counter, or will there be shade? Are you in a harsher weather environment, such as a snowy North Dakota or a heavily sun-drenched area such as Arizona?
Here in Ohio, we have four seasons, and each brings its own unique challenge. Thankfully, with the right countertop material, you won’t have many issues to worry about if you choose a quality counter for your outdoor kitchen.
Quartz counters and granite countertops are two options you’ll want to keep in mind. Let’s look at why these two materials are perfect choices for an outdoor kitchen.
Granite as an outdoor kitchen countertop choice
Granite is stone, plain and simple. It’s hard to argue with a naturally made and sourced material. Rock is tough and deals with the outdoor elements on a regular basis. Granite not only looks great, it also holds up great. It comes in varying shades, whether you prefer a light or dark color, and is a heavy, low maintenance material.
One thing to keep in mind is that granite can be expensive. If price is no object, then granite is right up your alley. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with the strength of granite but at a friendlier price, you might consider quartz as your alternative.
We’ll dig into quartz shortly, but first let’s look at the reasons that granite might be the best material for your outdoor kitchen.
Granite is sturdy and strong. It’s stain and heat resistant, and also easy to clean and maintain. What might be an issue? Granite can get cracks in it, can be porous if not maintained properly, and may include seams if you need larger pieces.
Choosing quartz or quartzite counters for your outdoor kitchen
You may hear the term quartz or quartzite when looking at counters. What exactly are quartz countertops?
Quartz counters are made with crushed stone. The crushed stone is then mixed with resin to build in added strength and durability. While granite counters are made from natural material, taken from a quarry, quartz counters are a man-made composite.
They are incredibly strong, durable, and a worthy choice for your outdoor countertops. Quartz counters are made with 90% crushed stone, and 10% resin. These elements are combined together to create a dense, sturdy surface.
It’s also stain resistant, like granite is, is low maintenance and easy to clean, and can come in multiple colors, patterns, and textures. Being as quartz is man-made, there’s a lot more variety in what can be manufactured.
Unlike granite, quartz isn’t prone to cracking! It’s not going to chip, split, crack, or scratch easily. The other thing you’ll love about quartz is that it’s non-porous, which means it’s bacteria resistant. Consider that against a butcher-block countertop that isn’t maintained regularly, and quartz is the safer choice when it comes to resisting bacteria.
One thing to point out is heat resistance. Stone is naturally heat resistant, but resin is a factor to keep in mind. It would be wise to use potholders or other items beneath a hot pan, rather than placing the pan directly onto a quartz counter.
If you’re building an outdoor kitchen, you truly can’t go wrong in choosing granite or quartz for your countertops. Interested in learning more? Contact us, today.