An outdoor kitchen is one of the best ways to entertain friends and family. Outdoor kitchens allow you to enjoy the weather and stay connected with everyone while you cook up a feast. There is just something about cooking outdoors that appeals to people as well.
But, if you want to incorporate an outdoor kitchen, you need the right type of countertops for the job. Regular old laminate will not do, so here’s a list of the best countertop materials to use for an outdoor kitchen.
1. Granite
You are probably going to want to lean in the direction of stone for outdoor kitchen countertops. This is because when properly sealed, the stone will stand up better to the elements and provide the durability you need.
Granite is one of the most durable types of natural stone and it looks great as a countertop material. Granite can be polished, honed, or leathered finish to contribute to the elegance and decor of your project. Dark granite will absorb sunlight and become hot to the touch, so you’ll either need to experiment with some pergola design ideas for shade or choose a lighter color of granite.
2. Soapstone
Soapstone is another material that looks great on an outdoor kitchen. The naturally dark patterns with streaks of white are exotic and fit the bill perfectly when it comes to exterior design aesthetics. It’s also naturally non-porous so you don’t have to worry about spills or stains.
You can also put hot pans directly on its surface because of its high level of heat resistance. It does absorb heat much like granite, though, so you will need to exercise caution or shade it with a pergola of some sort.
3. Ipe Wood
While it’s common to see outdoor features like handrails built from wood, it’s less common to see outdoor kitchen countertops made from it. This is because of durability issues in most cases, but Ipe wood, however, possesses all the durability needed to serve as a countertop material for your outdoor kitchen.
It is naturally resistant to rot, mold, insects, and weather. When sealed properly, it can act as a beautiful, tropical-style countertop material that’s just as durable as acrylic countertops, stone countertops, and other common types.
4. Glass
Glass might sound like a bad idea for countertops at first, but if you use thick enough glass, it performs on par with other materials. Glass has a uniquely charming visual appearance and happens to be sun, wind, rain, and stain-resistant as well.
Not Every Type of Countertop Material is Suited for Outdoor Use
Outdoor kitchens are a dream, but only if you build them with the right materials. The countertops, in particular, need to be made from a material that can handle the elements and stand up to a bit more abuse than they would indoors. Materials like Granite, Soapstone, Glass, and Ipe Wood all possess these qualities in spades, making them perfect to use for countertops.
As long as you have your countertops properly sealed or finished and you put a bit of shade over them during the day, they should last you for many years and be one of the most reliable parts of your outdoor kitchen.
Mandy Lee is a contributor to Innovative Construction Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the building materials industry. Mandy is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.
