24

Oct

How To Pick A Countertop Material For Your Outdoor Kitchen?

If you’re thinking of redoing your outdoor space and want to build a backyard kitchen, then one of the important things is figuring out the countertop material you need for your outdoor kitchen. The most popular choice is granite countertops but is it the only option? Here is what to know.

What To Know When Choosing A Countertop For An Outdoor Kitchen?

Before diving into the materials that are good for outdoor kitchen countertops, you need to understand what makes a countertop material good and what doesn’t. So, here are all the things you need to consider when choosing a material.

The Durability

The durability of a countertop material matters the most. Having a durable countertop material in an indoor kitchen is one thing, but you need to give durability even more consideration if you are to choose a countertop surface for an outdoor kitchen.

An outdoor kitchen is exposed to all kinds of elements and you want to ensure that you’re choosing a material that can withstand everything and last long for years to come. The last thing you need is a countertop material that you will need to replace every so often because it fades or cracks with heat, cold, moisture, or sunlight.

Resistance To Outdoor Elements

As mentioned previously, an outdoor kitchen is exposed to outdoor elements, beaming sunlight, downpours, and dryness. These things aren’t necessarily a problem in an indoor kitchen, but in an outdoor kitchen, you need to be able to factor in all of these things to ensure that you’re choosing a material that will be able to endure all of the harsh and continuous conditions of the weather.

So, this is important to do and you need to compare materials based on their resistance to heat, UV light rays, and even dryness because it will make a difference.

Water Resistance

The next most important bit to go over is the water resistance of a countertop material. Usually, natural stones and man-made materials are the best countertop materials out there, but natural stones are not resistant to water damage because they are naturally porous. So, you either have to seal them or you need to opt for materials that don’t have that problem altogether like stainless steel and porcelain tiles or slabs.

Water may look harmless, but it can spoil and damage the material from the inside and in an outdoor kitchen, you need to give water resistance more importance because it can be the difference between longevity and premature damage.

Now, natural stones may not be water-resistant, but they are still some of the best options for outdoor kitchens so don’t rule them out.

Price

The next bit to go over is the price of the countertop material you’re going for in the outdoor kitchen. Your budget is really important when it comes to buying a countertop material for your outdoor kitchen. Outdoor countertop materials often do cost a bit more, and that is because they are specifically treated to last longer in the kitchen and outside.

So, when you’re considering materials for your outdoor kitchen, make sure that you know what each of them costs, so you can create a budget accordingly. If you can’t afford it, then everything is pretty much pointless.

Maintenance

You also want to choose a material that doesn’t need to be maintained too frequently. Now, a couple of months later, maintenance is overdue and that is pretty normal, but what isn’t is the fact that you need to slave over the material day in and day out because without it, the material will wither away.

Best Materials For Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

Now that you know what things you need to look out for, here are some of the countertop materials that are considered excellent for an outdoor kitchen.

Granite

The first and most amazing material for an outdoor kitchen is the beautiful and strong granite. Granite is a natural stone that is made out of melted rocks and minerals under high temperature and pressure and the result is a rock so beautiful and mesmerizing that you can’t help but want it in your kitchen.

It is a very strong material and the best part is that it lasts for years to come without any major problems. The only downside to this material is the price and the maintenance it needs.

Stainless Steel

If you want to say goodbye to the maintenance and the looking after of countertop material, then stainless steel countertops will take care of everything. Stainless steel is pretty much the answer to all of your countertop and outdoor kitchen-related problems.

The material is non-porous, it doesn’t need to be sealed or maintained in any way, it’s beautiful, especially if you’re someone who loves an industrial and minimal look, and it’s overall very strong. So, if you have a bit of room in your budget, then definitely go for stainless steel, because you can set it and forget it.

But keep in mind that stainless steel gets cold to touch in winter and becomes very warm under direct sunlight.

Glass

If you’re looking for another maintenance-free option in countertops, then glass won’t disappoint you. Glass is a very beautiful and hassle-free material and it is one of the best options you can go for because it does not need to be cleaned and it’s also amazing when it comes to longevity.

The only downside of glass countertops is the fact that it is, infamously, prone to breakage. If you let it out and something falls on top of the countertops with a reasonable impact, then it can shatter, so that’s just something you need to look out for.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are also a great option when it comes to outdoor kitchen countertops. Tiles are mostly very easy to install and even though they are not as strong as thick slabs of rock or man-made material, it is very easily replaceable, so much so that you can even do so by yourself.

Porcelain tiles are also available in many designs and patterns so you can choose any color or pattern you want.

The only problem with tile is the fact that it can be hard to clean, especially around the crevices of the tile, because the space between the tile, also known as grout can be hard to reach into and clean.

If you like porcelain as a countertop surface but not tiles, you can also choose porcelain slabs that don’t have grout lines. However, if you like tiles, you can also look into stone tiles like granite tiles, marble tiles, and can also ask for concrete tiles. But they won’t be water-resistant whereas porcelain tiles and slabs are.

Quartzite

Lastly, quartzite is another natural stone that people often confuse with quartz. Quartz is a man-made material and it’s not a good choice for outdoors since it doesn’t have natural UV protection and sunlight can make the material dull.

However, with quartzite, you won’t have to face any of these problems because it is a durable, waterproof, and stain-resistant material that will surprise you with its qualities and strength.

Conclusion

An outdoor kitchen needs to be sturdy, otherwise, it won’t last long. As you’re choosing durable materials like concrete and stainless steel for other parts of the kitchen, don’t forget to pick a sturdy option when it comes to your outdoor kitchen countertops. Get in touch with a granite contractor Potomac to take a look at various options and choose the right one.

20

Jan

Why Quartz Countertops Are A Bad Choice For Outdoor Kitchens?

Quartz seems to be the titan of the countertops realm, with its unmatched durability, excellent longevity, and overall performance. But is this countertop material good for outdoor kitchen just as granite countertops are? Well, let’s see if quartz can handle the giant fireball, aka the sun.

Yes, Quartz Is Not Fit For The Outdoors

If you were thinking about building an outdoor kitchen and keeping quartz countertops in the blazing sunlight, then you might want to take a step back and rethink. Quartz countertops, even though they’re amazing for indoors and there aren’t a lot of stones that can match the qualities quartz has, are still not good for outdoor kitchens.

Why, you ask? Well, it’s going to fade away quickly in the sunlight and it will not look as appealing as it did before. Some things just aren’t meant for use in the sun, and quartz is one of them.

UV Light Damage

The main culprit that inflicts damage on quartz countertops is the sun’s rays. The UV rays of the sun are as bad for the countertops as they are for humans and their skin. Same with skin, if you keep the countertops outside for too long, they’re going to become dull and fade in color and in some cases, the quartz can become very brittle and fragile. So, it’s best that you don’t use them outside at all.

Minimal sunlight is alright, but anything too direct and exposed for too long can turn your beautiful quartz countertops into an ugly faded mess. UV rays from the sun affect the resin and pigments of the quartz countertops making them extremely dark and splotchy on the surface.

Shade Is Necessary

If you want to install quartz countertops outside, then you need to keep them in the shade. Direct sunlight isn’t good for anything, especially when it’s not protected properly. So, proper shade will be the safest option, however, it won’t guarantee that the countertops will remain in pristine condition as they would if they’re inside. This is mostly a last resort if you’re dead set to install quartz countertops in your outdoor kitchen.

Light Quartz Vs Dark Quartz

Another way by which you can suppress the damage of quartz countertops in sunlight is by getting lighter-colored quartz. Darker quartz can react more violently with sunlight and the pigment and resin combination can lose its potency way faster than its lighter-colored counterpart.

Dark quartz will also show the damages prominently whereas lighter quartz is a lot more forgiving. So, if you want to bite the bullet and get quartz countertops for the outdoor grill or kitchen, then consider lighter colors because they’re going to last a bit longer.

It’s Not Heat Resistant

If you didn’t know this already, quartz is not a naturally heat-resistant material. Quartz is an engineered stone and it’s made by combining and sealing resin with pulverized rocks and pigment, which gives the stone its characteristic appearance. Almost all man-made stones have bad heat resistance.

Nothing matches the heat resistance of natural stones because they’re made naturally inside the ground where the temperatures are astronomically high and the pressures are unbearable. You can’t expect quartz to match anywhere near this quality of natural stones. This is also another major reason why quartz doesn’t last as long in sunlight and it gets faded.

Amazing Qualities Of Quartz Countertops But Not For The Outdoors

Quartz can’t last in the sunlight. So what? The material itself is not bad. Quartz is still a very durable and reasonable material that will make wonderful and long-lasting countertops for indoor kitchens. Here are some qualities of quartz that are make it so popular.

Durable

Quartz is a highly durable material. It can last anywhere between 15 to 30 years if you take good care of the surface. Buying quartz countertops is a one-time investment and you will not regret this purchase because it’s going to pay off. This is why it’s a fan favorite among people.

Comparatively Affordable

Quartz is not as expensive as other materials. Natural stones, even though they also have amazing qualities, just aren’t as affordable as quartz and if you compare them with the qualities and things quartz has to offer, then you’ll know exactly which choice is better.

People can justify the cost of quartz, because it’s durable and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance whereas some natural stones are also durable but they need more maintenance than quartz.

Quartz countertops don’t need to be sealed every few years. You can set it and forget it because these bad boys are going to stay put for as long as you want.

Easy To Clean

There aren’t a lot of countertops that can match this quality of quartz. Let’s face it; no one wants to slave over kitchen countertops with a washcloth at all times. So, it’s comforting to know that quartz won’t put you through this trouble at all. It’s truly a magnificent material that requires little to no maintenance.

You just need to take care of daily cleaning and getting the countertops polished every year or so, and you’re pretty much set for a long time. Now that’s what you can call “low-maintenance”.

Better Alternatives To Use In Outdoor Kitchens

If you’re looking for countertop alternatives to use outside, then these options are going to be the best:

Granite Countertops

Lo and behold! Granite is a stone that knows no damage, especially the one inflicted by the blazing sun. Granite has a very high heat resistance which is not a quality you see in a lot of stones and it can take the heat of the sun like a champ.

There’s no need for you to worry about discoloration, fading, or damage to the countertops because granite can endure temperatures and harsh weather with finesse, so your kitchen will always look dazzling as long as you seal and maintain it properly.

Porcelain Slab Countertops

Porcelain is another great option to use outdoors. This material is also very shiny and it has a very opulent feel to it. So, the kitchen will feel glossy and luxurious. One thing that you need to keep in mind about porcelain slabs, is the fact they are not waterproof. You will need to seal them to protect the beautiful countertops from food stains and moisture.

This is the only drawback of this seemingly perfect material, and other than that, porcelain works like a wonder in an outdoor kitchen. If you like tiles, you also get a porcelain tile countertop that is waterproof.

Concrete Countertops

This option is great for all of you lovers of rugged countertops out there. Concrete is a very popular countertop material choice for outdoor kitchens. It’s appealing, it has that rustic appeal to it and it doesn’t need to be colored or stained whatsoever because the natural color of concrete doesn’t fade away in the sunlight. And the countertop will be as durable as the walls of the kitchen.

The only downside is that this material is extremely porous and it can absorb water, among other things, like a literal sponge. So, this makes sealing necessary because you not only want to protect the countertops from water damage, but infestation of bacteria and viruses too.

Conclusion

Quartz countertops are not fit for outdoor kitchens. Looks like it’s a score for the sun and a loss for quartz. But you can use granite countertops that are also extremely popular. Discuss it more with a granite installer Rockville.