Are you ready to turn your dream of an outdoor kitchen into a reality? One of your biggest decisions will be which countertop material to install. There are several factors to consider, including your budget, your style preferences and the weather in your area. We asked outdoor designers and remodelers to share their advice to help you find your way to an outdoor kitchen that suits your needs.
Granite: Fits Just About Anywhere
Pros often mentioned granite as the most practical surface for a wide variety of situations. Granite plays well with a variety of styles, fitting in equally well in a modern setting and a farmhouse one; the latter is seen in this inviting space designed by K&D Landscape Management in Chicago.
Pros
Pros often mentioned granite as the most practical surface for a wide variety of situations. Granite plays well with a variety of styles, fitting in equally well in a modern setting and a farmhouse one; the latter is seen in this inviting space designed by K&D Landscape Management in Chicago.
Pros
- It is durable and won’t be damaged by heat.
- When sealed properly, it is resistant to stains, mold and mildew.
- The colors won’t fade from sun exposure.
- Granite can be more expensive than some other options.
Here, dark granite has been paired with natural slate rock surfaces for a polished feel that belies the rustic look. The poolside gathering spot in Livingston, New Jersey, complements the abundant greenery surrounding it. The designer, b. home interiors, chose sleek stainless steel appliances — including a grill, a refrigerator, an ice maker and a pizza oven — to contrast with the rougher elements.
White granite streaked with veins of gray works well with the light-colored grout on the brick veneer of this outdoor kitchen by Texas Custom Patios in Houston.
“Almost every kitchen we build, we use granite counters,” says Rob Douglass of Texas Custom Patios. “Granite is durable and attractive. It’s easy to clean. It generally won’t show stains. It rarely fades or yellows. We just never have warranty issues with it after 15 years of building hundreds of outdoor kitchens.”
“Almost every kitchen we build, we use granite counters,” says Rob Douglass of Texas Custom Patios. “Granite is durable and attractive. It’s easy to clean. It generally won’t show stains. It rarely fades or yellows. We just never have warranty issues with it after 15 years of building hundreds of outdoor kitchens.”
Tile: Timeless and Affordable
Tile is another option, although it’s suitable outdoors only in regions with warm weather.
Pros
This patio in Houston has a countertop of English walnut travertine tile. Travertine is a form of limestone that is usually sold in tile form. The designer, InnovationLand, used the tile to contrast the Fantastico travertine flooring and the Austin limestone veneer, lending the space a more authentic and personalized look.
Tile is another option, although it’s suitable outdoors only in regions with warm weather.
Pros
- It is generally more affordable than other options.
- Tile varieties and styles are numerous; you can find just about any look you want.
- If you damage a tile, it’s easy to replace it without having to redo the whole surface.
- Freezing temperatures can cause the grout to crack.
- The grout can be prone to staining.
This patio in Houston has a countertop of English walnut travertine tile. Travertine is a form of limestone that is usually sold in tile form. The designer, InnovationLand, used the tile to contrast the Fantastico travertine flooring and the Austin limestone veneer, lending the space a more authentic and personalized look.
Jeff Wortham & Associates topped this kitchen in Pleasanton, California, with tile and gave the countertop a double bullnose edge for a classic look.
Natural Stone: Durable and Unique
Some varieties of natural stone other than granite can be a great option for your outdoor countertop.
Pros
The designer of this Dallas cabana by Archadeck used hand-chiseled Lueders stone, which is a natural limestone native to North Texas. “Lueders is the most preferred and the most cost-effective” natural stone in that region, Archadeck CEO Agustin Garza says. “It also holds up well outdoors.”
Garza does cover Lueders countertops with a sealant, which protects the porous stone and brings out its natural colors.
Other pros, however, warn against limestone and other types of stone counters. As Douglass puts it, “The problem with flagstone or thick, smooth slabs of limestone is that they’re very porous. They stain easily.”
Some varieties of natural stone other than granite can be a great option for your outdoor countertop.
Pros
- Natural stone is very durable.
- No two pieces of stone are exactly alike.
- It never goes out of style.
- Stone countertops need regular refinishing.
- Stone is porous and can stain easily.
The designer of this Dallas cabana by Archadeck used hand-chiseled Lueders stone, which is a natural limestone native to North Texas. “Lueders is the most preferred and the most cost-effective” natural stone in that region, Archadeck CEO Agustin Garza says. “It also holds up well outdoors.”
Garza does cover Lueders countertops with a sealant, which protects the porous stone and brings out its natural colors.
Other pros, however, warn against limestone and other types of stone counters. As Douglass puts it, “The problem with flagstone or thick, smooth slabs of limestone is that they’re very porous. They stain easily.”
Stumpff HomeWorks gave this limestone countertop in Kansas City, Missouri, a rough edge that plays well with the stone facade below. “You can find just about any natural stone to fit with a certain style and design,” company owner Tom Stumpff says. “The edge fabrication can enhance a style or simplify it.”
Concrete: Flexible and Customizable
OK, it’s not literally flexible, but one of the big selling points of concrete is that it’s highly customizable. Although concrete is very hard, it will still show some wear and tear. As Douglass puts it, the hairline cracks that sometimes appear can be a feature or a bug: “Some customers like the look it creates; others don’t,” he says. “And if they choose a colored concrete, it may not come out exactly as they expected.”
Pros
- It can be formed into virtually any shape you want.
- It can be tinted to the color you want.
- Concrete pros can mold impressions into the concrete, such as a dish drain or a decorative design.
Cons
- It can develop scratches and cracks.
- Exposure to the sun can cause colors to fade.
Cost: Prices can range greatly, from about $100 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the project, finishing and other labor-intensive details.
This concrete countertop was tinted taupe and paired with a full array of stainless steel cabinets and appliances to lend a modern touch to the waterfront setting in Hopatcong, New Jersey. The contractor, Trueform Concrete, gave the concrete a signature finish that adds depth to the surface.
This San Francisco kitchen countertop, created by Tom Ralston Concrete, truly shows off the flexibility of concrete. Acid staining gave the concrete its arresting color variations, and the meandering tile inlay lends it the Balinese-style rainforest vibe the designer was looking for.
Quartz: One to Avoid
Several pros warned us against using quartz outdoors. “The color can fade, and it will not be able to handle the moisture and humidity. It will cause it to warp,” Garza says.
Your turn: If you have an outdoor kitchen, tell us about your countertop experience and share pictures in the Comments.
Content provided by Dave Grimm at Houzz.com
Flower Mound Housing Report - July 2019
