Weatherproof Your Outdoor Kitchen: Best Countertop Materials for Durability

What should you know about outdoor kitchen weather-resistant countertops?

When you install an outdoor kitchen, you will find it can completely change your home’s exterior look and feel. The primary reason is that it can become an entertainment area for your friends and family. An outdoor kitchen will have a barbeque area to cook food at a high temperature. If the countertop that you want to install starts from the barbeque area, then it is essential to select a material that is heat resistant.

Otherwise, once you start cooking in the barbeque, the heat will transfer onto the countertop, which can crack. Hence, you must first ensure that the countertop you select is heat-resistant. This will also make it weather resistant because it will not get damaged on continuous exposure to sunlight. New Jersey can become quite hot during the summer, and you want the countertop to stay intact exposure to heat or direct sunlight.

When you select a countertop material that is heat resistant, you will find that it will also be resistant to damage caused by exposure to sunlight. Suppose you are building an outdoor kitchen in a part of the backyard that will be exposed to a significant amount of the sun daily. In that case, you must select a countertop material that will not get damaged or the color of the countertop will not fade on exposure to sunlight. Some of the other factors that you must discuss with experts from companies offering installation of outdoor kitchen countertops near Randolph, NJ, are as follows:

• Easy to clean and durable countertop

The primary difference between the interior and exterior kitchen is that you need an easy countertop to clean and maintain. There are two reasons for this. First, you will try various dishes in your exterior kitchen that you cannot cook at home. Consider outdoor cooking options such as a barbeque or an open-fire cooking. Here, you will roast meats, fry vegetables, and use marinades that are bound to create a mess. Hence, it would help to have a countertop that does not stain easily and can be cleaned effortlessly. This will make maintaining the countertop easier. Secondly, an easy-to-clean countertop is made of a durable material. This means it can withstand rough handling. If you are pounding meat on the countertop or want to show off your cooking skills, the countertop can withstand rough usage and will not scratch easily. This will make the countertop easy to maintain, and you will find that it makes it ideal to be installed outside.

• Stay intact on exposure to natural elements

When you think of an outdoor kitchen, it is essential to remember that the countertop will be exposed to wind, rain, and snow. The countertop must be such a material that it will not get damaged by exposure to natural elements. The outdoor kitchen countertop must be scratch-resistant so that it does not get damaged if snow accumulates on the surface or there is heavy rainfall. You cannot cover the countertop; you can only clean it once the rain or snowfall is over. When you clean, the countertop should retain its original sheen, and this will happen only when you use a scratch-resistant countertop material.

Thus, when opting for a countertop for your outdoor kitchen, it is essential to evaluate its features. Your objective must be to check the material’s durability so that it lasts for an extended period. An outdoor kitchen can be an elegant addition to your home, and you want the color and design of the countertop to appeal to you aesthetically. While selecting the color and design of the countertop, it is also essential to ensure that the material is durable and resistant to exposure to natural elements.

What is the best stone for outdoor kitchen countertops?

You must opt for granite if you want durable and long-lasting material for your outdoor kitchen countertop. You will find that it is one of the favorite materials of most homeowners when it comes to countertops. According to manufacturers of outdoor kitchen countertops near Randolph, NJ, granite is often used to complete bathroom and kitchen countertops in your home. You will find it easy to clean and resistant to damage. Some of the reasons why granite is the best stone for outdoor kitchen countertops are as follows:

• Can withstand temperature difference

The primary problem with the outdoor kitchen countertop is that it can expand on exposure to high temperatures and contract during cold weather. This can result in cracks in the countertop, permanently damaging your outdoor kitchen countertop. However, with granite, you do not have to worry about this. You will find that granite can withstand temperature differences and does not expand on exposure to high temperatures. In other words, it can withstand temperature fluctuations, making it ideal to be installed outside your home to be exposed to the natural elements.

• Does not scratch easily

Granite countertops are difficult to scratch as they are a natural stone known for their durability. You will find it difficult to scratch the surface of granite countertops, even with sharp objects such as knives. You must apply significant pressure and intentionally scratch the surface of the countertop. The scratch-resistant feature of granite makes it suitable for use in the outdoor kitchen.

• Durable material

You will find that granite does not get damaged due to chemical and liquid spills. Consider a scenario where you cook in your outdoor kitchen and accidentally spill a marinade or sauce on the granite countertop. The marinade or sauce chemicals will not damage the countertop’s sheen. If you wipe the surface, the countertop will be clean, and the color will not fade. The durability of the material makes it easy to clean. As you install the countertop outside your home, it will be exposed to the natural elements. Thus, cleaning the countertop must be easy. The countertop’s surface will collect dust, dirt, and grime as it will be exposed to the natural elements 24/7. A granite countertop is easy to clean, and its color will not fade on exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain.

• Several designs and patterns
• You will find several patterns of granite available, making it easy to select a design that appeals to you aesthetically. Moreover, depending on the overall design and pattern of your home, you can choose a particular color of granite stone so that it corresponds with the aesthetics of your house as well.

Thus, granite is the best stone for an outdoor kitchen because it is durable, easy to maintain, and long-lasting. Even experts will suggest granite as a suitable countertop material for your outdoor kitchen because once you install it, you do not have to worry about repairing or replacing it for a long time.

Other durable countertop materials for outdoor use

You can opt for marble if you are looking for alternative materials for your outdoor kitchen countertop. A marble countertop can look elegant, but the chances of staining increase as the marble is porous. You must be careful about maintaining the countertop. For instance, if there is a warning of heavy snowfall, it is best to cover the countertop to protect its shine and sheen. Moreover, you must be careful about spilling anything on the countertop as it can get stained easily. However, if you carefully maintain the countertop, marble can be a suitable alternative to granite.

You can also use concrete as an alternative to granite. However, the issue you will face with granite is that it can crack easily. You will find that concrete countertops can scratch easily, and you must call the experts every time a crack appears on the surface. If you are looking for a countertop that will give your home a rustic appeal, you can install a concrete countertop in your outdoor kitchen.