‘Tis the season for outdoor activities and barbequing. We’ve all seen the fabulous outdoor kitchens in home magazines and on TV, but have you ever thought about creating your own? When it comes to the countertop for your outdoor dream kitchen, durability should be the number one priority followed by appearance.
The best choices are natural stone, concrete, and tile. Many of the other indoor products that exist, and that we offer at McGrory Inc., aren’t made to stand up to extreme outdoor conditions and when exposed to UV light the colors may change.
Below we’ll break down the best choices for an outdoor countertop.
Natural Stone
Many surfaces fall under the title of natural stone; granite, marble, soapstone, limestone etc. The most durable and best option is granite. It will stand up to the elements and doesn’t absorb stains as easily as the others in this category. Many people prefer the matte finish of soapstone and limestone to the traditional polished appearance of granite. Simply get your granite honed instead of polished and you can achieve that look.
Keep in mind that dark colors will absorb more sun and become hot to the touch, so if your outdoor kitchen will be in the sun often it might be best to choose a lighter color.
Concrete
Concrete is a very hot trend right now, the clean and contemporary look appeal to the more modern décor styles. While it seems to be a no-brainer since plenty of weather resistant surfaces are made out of concrete, keep in mind that cracking is always a possibility.
If concrete is the route that you choose to go make sure to find an experienced installer to better your chances against cracking. Concrete must be sealed upon installation and resealed regularly.
Tile
Tile is easily the most versatile choice listed here. You can choose your patterns, colors, or even ornately painted tiles to incorporate into your countertop. It’s very affordable, and can even be a do-it-yourself project. However, if you live in a colder climate the freezing and thawing of the season cycle will put your tiles and grout at risk of cracking.
Along with cracking, keep in mind that no matter how often you reseal, the grout can always stain. If this is the countertop you choose it’s best to choose freeze-proof tiles, a darker grout and even hire an experienced installer, that way he/she will guide you to use products appropriate for the climate that you live in.