With the change in the trend, now most homeowners and designers are opting for outdoor kitchen countertops to enhance the overall look of their exteriors and add a functional benefit outdoors, as it is a great fit to throw a party outdoors. Outdoor kitchens add a classic touch to exteriors and are also durable and lasting, adding to investment.
In any outdoor kitchen design, the main focal point is the countertop, which can define the aesthetic well and help you achieve the look you dream of. And it is essential to choose the best countertop for outdoor kitchens. You can choose from either natural stone tile materials or engineered ones, as both are excellent choices.
In this blog, we have outlined some great stone outdoor countertops to help you choose the best option that resonates with your design plan and also offers the functionality you are expecting from it. So let’s delve into the details.
Benefits of stone outdoor kitchen countertops
a. Durability:
Stone materials are highly durable and can last for years to come if maintained and taken care of well. They also offer high resistance to scratches and stains, leaving your outdoor kitchen top looking like new. Additionally, their high resistance to weaving offers an additional benefit to use outdoors.
b. Aesthetics:
There is no match in the beauty of stone materials as they are being used in various construction buildings for buildings now due to their stunning appearances. They also come in a wide range of colors, patterns, veinings, and textures to help you choose the best suitable outdoor countertops for your exteriors. Stone materials are also known for their ability to complement various design styles.
c. Heat Resistance:
Mostly outdoor kitchen counter tops are used for throwing outdoor house parties, which includes grilling and many more things. Stone materials are best to use as they are highly resistant to heat and are safe for hot cookware and grilling utensils, so you can cook, grill, and barbecue anything stress-free.
d. Low Maintenance:
Stone materials are easy to clean and maintain and require minimal to low maintenance requirements to keep the countertops looking like new for years, which means you don’t have to invest much time in cleaning your outdoor countertops. They also don’t require frequent polishing and sealing of stone; once or twice a year can be optimal.
The best countertop for outdoor kitchens - Stone collection
a. Quartz outdoor countertops:
Quartz is one of the most popular materials used for kitchen countertops, as it is an engineered stone that is crafted using a process. What makes quartz slabs the best countertop for an outdoor kitchen is its high resistance to scratching and staining with its porous surface, which also adds to the overall durability of the countertop.
This stone comes in a wide range of patterns and colors, offering some options to choose from along with low maintenance qualities, which can save you a lot of time and effort.
Key Considerations:
- It can show signs of discoloration and fading if directly exposed to sunlight (if not UV-protected).
- Sensitive to heat and may get damaged if hot pans are directly placed over it.
b. Porcelain outdoor countertops
Porcelain is an engineered stone that is crafted specifically to mimic the look of natural stones with additional qualities of engineered ones. Porcelain slabs has recently become in trend for outdoor kitchen tops as it is an extremely durable material that highly resists scratches, stains, spills, and also heat.
This stone has a non-porous surface and requires minimal to low maintenance while withstanding harsh weather conditions for long without showing any signs of damage. Additionally, it comes in various colors and patterns to choose from.
Key Considerations:
- It can seem like an expansive option as compared to other ones.
- It is a heavy stone material that requires professional assistance.
c. Granite outdoor countertops
Granite is a popular choice for outdoor kitchen tops as it is a hard stone that offers great benefits outdoors. Granite slabs is one of those stones that exudes unique patterns and a distinctive look in your space. Additionally, granite is highly resistant to heat and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it perfect to use outdoors.
This stone has excellent properties that complement various design styles, whether contemporary, modern, or traditional, making it a preferable choice among homeowners and designers.
Key Considerations:
- Granite is porous stone and may require regular sealing to prevent staining on the surface.
- It can be considered a more susceptible stone to scratching as compared to other countertop materials.
d. Marble outdoor countertops
Marble is one of the oldest stone materials used for indoor flooring, walling, and as countertops, but using it as outdoor kitchen countertops for different projects is what most designers are new to experimenting with. Marble slabs is a beautiful and luxurious stone that can be used to enhance the overall aesthetics and add a classic feel in exterior spaces.
With its color and pattern versatility, it is a great fit to complement various design styles and blend well with outdoor elements as well.
Key Considerations:
- Marble is a vulnerable stone and a delicate one too that must be used with caution.
- It can be more susceptible to weathering as compared to other stone materials.
e. Quartzite outdoor countertops
Quartzite is another best countertop for outside kitchens due to its great durability and beauty. It is a dense and hard natural stone that highly resists chipping, impact, scratches, and heat. Additionally, quartzite stone is a highly UV-resistant material with a low porosity level, which makes it a recommended stone to use outdoors.
Being a natural stone, quartzite exudes natural beauty that blends well with outdoor elements, and this stone is also easy to maintain and clean, attracting busy homeowners.
Key Considerations:
- It is a highly susceptible material to staining from acidic solutions and may require regular sealing to protect it from potential damage from stains and marks.
- It can also show the signs of some damage and can have a potential impact from frequently changed environments.
Choosing the Right Stone Countertop for Your Outdoor Kitchen
- Always consider your budget before choosing a countertop material, as some materials may get out of your budget, so always keep in mind the ones that fit in your budget well.
- Keep in mind the desired result you want to achieve through the material and go for the best countertop for outside kitchens that goes well with your requirements of looks.
- Some outdoor kitchen counter tops may fit well in your budget but might require a certain time and effort in maintenance and cleaning, so choose the one that you think fits well in the time you are willing to invest in taking care of.
- Some countertop materials may not fit your climatic conditions well, so choosing the one that works well for a long period of time is great.
Tips for selecting the perfect stone countertop:
- Visit a website or talk to a supplier and go through various materials for outdoor kitchen countertops to choose from so that you can finalize the best one in the end.
- Consider various things, such as your home’s style, outdoor look, color theme, and other elements, and choose the one countertop material that blends well and complements the overall styling theme.
- Go through and look for the different properties that every stone offers, including their versatility of use in various areas such as wall panels, and choose the one that fits well with your requirements and also works as a worthy investment in your exteriors.
Conclusion
To conclude, natural stone materials are the best countertop for outdoor kitchens, as they offer a variety of uses and benefits and work as a worthy investment that lasts for years to come without requiring much maintenance and cleaning. They also provide a variety of options to choose from as they come in various sizes, colors, patterns, and veinings, which means there is definitely a match for your exterior style.
But still, choosing the one material for your outdoor kitchen top might be daunting for you; that’s why we are here. We offer a variety of countertop materials, and you can also contact us to help you find the perfect material fit for you. Our team of experts will help you from beginning to end, throughout the process.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Purnima Kaushik is a seasoned content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the stone and real estate industries. As a leading voice at MPG Stone, she shares insights on installment processes, project insights, design guides, and much more
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