Today, more and more people are enjoying time in their backyard entertaining friends and family. Especially now that it is getting warmer here in North Carolina! An outdoor kitchen is a great way to further enhance your ability to be a great party host! In order to be properly equipped to handle the needs of your guests, you’ll need plenty of countertop space for preparing and serving food, and maybe even some space for dining or a place to sit back and relax.
Granites
Granite is perhaps the best material for homeowners to use as an outdoor kitchen countertop. This stone’s durability can stand up against the harsh conditions in North Carolina with ease. Hot and sunny days are no problem! Granite can withstand the heat from the sun and hot pans without any issues. With a proper coat of sealant, granite is also resistant against stains, mold, and mildew so even the messiest gatherings or rainiest days won’t pose a threat. This natural stone is already very easy to maintain, but with a proper sealant, it will be even easier to take care of. Talk to one of our salespeople to learn about our 15 year sealer which will keep you from having to maintain the sealant yearly. Otherwise, sealing it once a year with standard sealer will keep it looking fresh and pristine for your outdoor gatherings.
Granite is a homeowner favorite indoors and outdoors because there’s a huge variety of colors and finishes to choose from. No matter what style you choose, you wont need to worry about it fading under sun exposure. Sunlight can make darker colors hot to the touch, so you might want to purchase a lighter color if your outdoor kitchen doesn’t have shading. If you’re looking to match the look of nature with your outdoor kitchen, consider going with a honed finish rather than a polished one. Overall, granite sets the bar high for materials to use in an outdoor kitchen countertop!
Soapstone
You can’t go wrong with soapstone countertops for your outdoor kitchen. This dark, natural stone is very dense. Even though soapstone is very dense, it’s still a very soft material. If you’re thinking about choosing soapstone for your outdoor kitchen countertops, just be aware that it can be scratched and nicked from sharp objects. Thankfully, you can always buff these out with a little sandpaper. Maintenance is also a breeze. All it takes to keep soapstone looking clean and beautiful is a little soap and water!
Similar to granite, soapstone is also highly heat resistant so you can place hot pans directly on its surface. This material’s natural qualities also make it a fantastic choice for the outdoors because it can withstand rain, sunlight, and even cold temperatures. Being a naturally dark color does have one drawback, however. Under direct sunlight, it can get very hot to the touch so it’s important to use caution if the sun has been beaming down on it all day. But overall, soapstone is another top contender for outdoor kitchen countertops thanks to its well-rounded qualities.
Out of all the contenders, granite is the best all around option for outdoor countertops, but you can’t go wrong with some of the other alternatives. To make the best decision for your outdoor kitchen, consider your personal design preferences, budget, your region’s climate, and the amount of maintenance you’re willing to put up with. Our sales people are here to help you make the best decision for your individual needs!
If you’re looking to spend more time outdoors with friends and family, we hope that this guide was useful for choosing the best material for an outdoor kitchen countertop. Come by the showroom to get your outdoor project started!