How to Choose Right Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

Outdoor living has become upscale in the last two years as people have spent increased time at home and invested in their outdoor areas. 82% of Americans are more interested in updating their outdoor spaces than they were before the pandemic.

Contemporary outdoor kitchen countertop ideas effortlessly blend style and utilitarianism. When upgrading your space, choosing the best outdoor countertop should be a priority. Let’s help you choose the best countertop for your outdoor kitchen.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Materials for an Outdoor Kitchen

Your choice of outdoor kitchen countertops is dependent on the natural elements and available space.

Weather Conditions

The materials you use should be able to cope with fluctuating weather conditions that may be extremely hot, cold, or humid. Cabinetry materials should be strong enough to withstand moisture absorption and cracking. Outdoor countertop material can be made from a variety of natural and fabricated stones, depending on how extreme the weather is. Making an outdoor countertop from granite is an excellent option if you have severe winters and summers. Other stones such as quartzite and quartz also fare well against the natural elements.

Exposure Levels

Consider whether your outdoor kitchen countertops will be fully, partially, or not at all exposed. For example, over time, marble countertops suffer from patina. Marble is more sensitive to the outdoors. Prolonged direct sunlight, moisture, or humidity can manifest in fading or darkened marks on the stone. The best countertop surface for outdoor kitchens should be fade-free and heat-resistant to ensure the surface’s longevity.

Function and Elements

The successful implementation of your outdoor countertop ideas depends on what function your outdoor kitchen will serve and the types of appliances you hope you use. Some like the idea of a pizza oven, whereas others want a grill and full-service food prep area. These practicalities will influence your outdoor countertop options. Stainless steel countertops work well for heavy food prep areas, whereas granite can withstand heat and work well near a grill.

Space Available

Only once you know how much space you have to design your kitchen can you begin to consider the materials and appliances you wish to use. Your space will dictate weather conditions, the size of your countertops, and their appliances. Even if your space is limited, you can optimize it with smart storage solutions and wheeled grills or countertops, for example. You’ll also want to think about how well your kitchen choices combine with the aesthetic of your outdoor area.

Choosing the Best Outdoor Countertop Material

From granite to stainless steel and tiles, there are many outdoor countertop options to choose from. This list covers the best countertop material for outdoor kitchens.

Outdoor Tile Countertops

Tiles offer interesting design options as they can be laid in eclectic patterns. A talented installer can make a tile countertop outdoor kitchen look incredibly elegant and decorative. Ceramic and porcelain tiles come in different shapes and sizes to suit almost any color and design scheme.

• Pros: The surface of these countertops is heat-resistant and relatively easy to clean as they don’t require any sealing. Moreover, if a tile cracks, it is also easy to replace without having to redo the entire countertop.
• Cons: Outdoor tile countertops can become home to bacteria, especially in grouting. While not a major concern, the grouting does need to be looked after. Tiled countertops are also not as smooth to work on as their concrete counterparts, for instance.
• Cost: $10- $50 per square foot.

Outdoor Concrete Countertops

Outdoor concrete countertops offer functionality and beauty. New colorizing and staining techniques can make concrete look like veined marble, natural stone, leather, or wood. Concrete is used for paving, so it’s no surprise this durable material can withstand the elements.

• Pros: If properly sealed and maintained, outdoor concrete countertops can last for years. Concrete is incredibly durable and rock solid. These countertops are customizable and can be formed to fit most configurations.
• Cons: Concrete countertops take time to produce. They need to be cured, which can take anything from three to seven days, depending on the climate in which you live. While concrete is a hardy material, it isn’t 100% scratch-proof and may be prone to stains.
• Cost: $65 – $135 per square foot.

Outdoor Stainless Steel Countertops

Thanks to their durability, stainless-steel countertops for outdoor kitchens have become popular. As the stock-standard countertop for take-away and fine-dining restaurants, it’s no wonder these hygienic surfaces have migrated to outdoor kitchens.

• Pros: Stainless-steel countertops are resistant to just about anything, including heat, water, and stains. Its non-porous surface means that, unlike natural stone, it does not acquire etching, nor does it need to be sealed. In fact, it’s an incredibly hygienic work surface.
• Cons: Stainless steel has a propensity to scratch and dent if not carefully used.  It can also produce a lot of clashing and clanging when making food.
• Cost: $75-$100 per square foot.

Stone Countertop for Outdoor Kitchens

Quarried stones are among the more expensive options as their installation requires fabricators. However, they are beautiful, strong, and can add resale value to your home.

Outdoor Quartz Countertop

Quartz is mined and then ground into an aggregate that is fused with resin and heat to form a strong slab.

• Pros: Quartz is a top countertop material for an outdoor kitchen. Not only is it durable and low maintenance, but also difficult to scratch, crack, or chip. Quartz comes in a large range of colors with uniform patterning, making joins less visible.
• Cons: Excessive heat can damage quartz countertops, and integrated sinks are usually not unincorporated.
• Cost: $50 – $150.

Outdoor Marble Countertops

Outdoor marble countertops exude timeless beauty and elegance. They add a crisp brightness and elegance to their environments, while their unique patterns can’t be replicated.

• Pros: Marble is a premium stone and one of the most beautiful countertop materials that exude luxury.
• Cons: It has a natural porosity, so spills can easily seep into the stone and become stains – this includes water! This stone is higher maintenance than other countertop options and needs to be regularly resealed.
• Cost: $60-$100 per square foot

Soapstone Outdoor Countertops

Soapstone is a metaphoric rock composed of talc and rich in magnesium. In recent years it has resurfaced as a popular outdoor countertop material.

• Pros: Soapstone is heat-resistant and doesn’t crack easily. It is a non-porous material and virtually impossible to stain, except when dealing with oil.
• Cons: While its structural integrity is decent, this stone is susceptible to scratching. It is also only available in limited colors; black, gray, and blue soapstone countertops. Outdoor kitchens are then limited to specific color schemes.
• Cost: $75-$125 per square foot.

Outdoor Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the best materials to use for outdoor countertops in cold climates. Durable and available in a variety of colors, this stone is a firm favorite.

• Pros: Outdoor granite countertop maintenance is low. As long as countertops are wiped down and worked with respectfully, granite only requires sealing every 1-5 years.
• Cons: Granite countertops come with seams and are susceptible to stains if not properly looked after.
• Cost: $50-$200.

Quartzite Outdoor Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone that’s harder than granite and quartz and possibly the best stone for outdoor countertops.

• Pros: Quartzite is durable and UV resistant. It has the look of marble but is much easier to maintain.
• Cons: These outdoor countertops can be damaged by sharp objects and do require resealing. They cannot withstand direct and should be used with trivets, boards, and potholders.
• Cost: $80 – $210.

Maintaining Outdoor Kitchen Countertop

The most durable outdoor countertops require more or less similar maintenance. Regardless of what material they’re made from, even the best stone for outdoor countertops should be handled with care. It’s advisable to follow the fabricator’s instructions for cleaning and routine maintenance.

Always clean countertops after use and wipe away spills as soon as they occur, especially on natural stone countertops. Schedule regular times to reseal countertops if they require additional maintenance, as this will extend their longevity.

It goes without saying that chopping boards, trivets, pot holders, placemats, and coasters should be utilized as often as possible. We also advise covering outdoor countertops when not used to protect them from nature and prevent them from getting too hot in summer.

Conclusion

Pro Stone Countertops offer a wide variety of the best outdoor countertop material from granite to quartzite and everything in between. We’ve helped many satisfied customers enhance their outdoor spaces and have loads of outdoor countertop ideas. Call us at 662-895-4795 or contact us online.