Aesthetics
The Best Types of Stone for an Outdoor Kitchen
There are many types of natural stone to choose from for an outdoor kitchen. However, there are a few types that are not ideal. We are going to highlight some of the best choices for you.
Best Types of Natural Stone for Outdoor Kitchens:
– Granite
– Quartzite
– Porcelain
Granite is one of the more popular choices, mainly because of durability. However, Granite also has its downsides when it comes to maintenance.
Granite is a fade-resistant stone, making it ideal for outdoor use in harsh sunlight.
Maintenance is something you will want to keep up with if you choose Granite. It should be sealed once a year to prevent things like staining and mildew.
Overall Granite is an excellent choice that will last you a long time, it also comes in a large variety of styles and patterns so you can make your outdoore kitchen unique.
Quartzite can be a great option, depending on its intended use.
Quartzite has a very high end appearance, but is still extremely durable. It makes an excellent outdoor countertop for casual use, however it is not ideal for an area for heavy cooking or grilling.
Typically with an area for heavy cooking or grilling, you will want to choose a stone that is resistent to scratching and stains. If you choose quartzite for your outdoor kitchen area, make sure you use a cutting board when using any types of sharp utensils and clean up any spills quickly to avoid staining.
Another note, is that quartzite does not handle extreme heat as well as other options. This is why it is not ideal for grilling areas, you will need to put down something heat resistant before placing any hot dishes of any kind.
Porcelain is another great stone for an outdoor kitchen area.
Porcelain is non-pourus and is highly heat resistant. It will hold up to years of hard use in outdoor areas.
Unlike the Quartzite, Porcelain is stain resistant. It is also highly durable and can withstand harsh weather and temperature changes. This is an excellent choice if you live in an area that gets below freezing in the winters.
There are fewer finishing options when using porcelain due to the thin slabs that it is manufactured in. However, our design team can show you excellent options that will still give you the look and feel you desire.
