Among many common modern-day home design themes, the outdoor kitchen is exploding in popularity in recent years. There are several important features to consider if you’re making this sort of upgrade to your home, and one of these is which countertop material you’ll use for your outdoor space.
At Creative Granite & Design, we’re here to offer a wide range of natural stone countertops, from marble and granite countertops to quartz, quartzite and many solid surface countertop options as well. When it comes to outdoor kitchen spaces, while a few different stone options will work, granite is often considered the most ideal — why is this, and what are some simple tips we can offer on how to maintain it if you go this route? Here’s a primer.
Benefits of Granite Countertops in Outdoor Kitchens
There are numerous features that make granite ideal for your outdoor space, including:
- Temperature withstanding: One of the biggest problems you can experience with other types of kitchen countertops is expansion, but granite doesn’t have this issue. It can tolerate both high and low extremes in temperature fluctuations without any material-damaging consequences.
- Non-scratch qualities: Any outdoor countertop is going to receive a fair amount of wear and tear, so it’s important that any one you choose can withstand the regular contact without getting scratched or otherwise damaged. Granite does this extremely well.
- Durability: Granite is also very easy to clean and maintain, which ensures that you won’t need to do anything more strenuous than wiping it down on occasion to keep it looking great.
- Eco-friendliness: Since granite is a natural stone, it’s also 100% eco-friendly. This is ideal for those who want to do their part when selecting the right countertop material for outdoor use.
- Versatile for design: Granite comes in a huge variety of patterns and styles, so it’s simple to select something that will suit your overall kitchen design theme. This is ideal if you’re worried about matching this stone with any other existing elements, like light fixtures or cabinet colors.
Tips for Outdoor Granite Countertop Care
If you choose granite countertops for your outdoor kitchen, here are some basic tips for maintaining them:
- Shade: Do your best to find trees, awnings, umbrellas and other coverings that will provide your outdoor kitchen with enough shade. The darker the color of your granite countertops, the more they absorb heat.
- Protect from direct sunlight: If you must place them in sunlight, protect them as much as possible with shading. Again, lighter colors are ideal for this purpose since they’ll be less affected by exposure to sun rays.
- Sealant: Some types of granite are porous, meaning that any exposure to moisture can cause them to eventually absorb the liquid. If necessary, sealant can help protect this type of stone from absorbing liquids. This is especially important if you’re placing your countertops near a pool or other water source.
For more on granite countertops for your outdoor kitchen, or to learn about any of our natural stone countertops or other products, speak to the staff at Creative Granite & Design today.
