Granite for Outdoors

While natural stones are a great choice for outdoor countertops, the selection process isn’t quite as simple as indoor counters.

An outdoor kitchen is going to be exposed to a variety of weather conditions that aren’t a problem indoors. In addition to extreme temperature changes, most outdoor kitchens are subject to some amount of moisture and direct sunlight that can damage natural stone. This limits your material choice a bit, but for many people, the beauty and durability of natural stone cannot be matched.

You’ll want to select non-porous stones for outdoor countertops because they do not absorb moisture. In most stones, moisture will cause stains and discolorations. Marble is particularly porous and not suggested for outdoor use. Quartz is non-porous, but the process used to color and seal this engineered stone can fade and discolor significantly in direct sunlight.

While marble and quartz aren’t great for outdoor countertops, granite will definitely work well outside.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Granite is arguably the best choice for an outdoor countertop. Granite is very durable, and when properly maintained it is not easily stained by moisture or sunlight.

While granite does require sealing periodically, it is relatively easy to maintain. The sealing frequency will vary depending on the type of sealer used, and how much abuse the countertop gets, but expect to reseal about once a year. Your countertop installer will provide more specific information about sealing and maintenance.

Granite is hard and won’t experience natural wearing over time. In fact, if you keep the countertop properly sealed, it should maintain its original color and strength for many years.

In addition to being able to withstand the weather and direct sunlight, granite countertops provide excellent heat tolerance, which is great for outdoor cooking.

Granite is available in a variety of colors and has many modern and elegant pattern options.

If you’re creating an outdoor kitchen or bar, visit the Hard Rock Stone Works showroom to get some ideas. You can also give us a call at (248) 280-8000 to learn more about which countertop material might be right for your project.  Start exploring now...

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