Choosing the right material for your countertops is essential. There are many things you’ll need to consider as you make this decision, including aesthetics, durability, and cost. And when it comes to installing work surfaces in your outdoor kitchen, you must factor in the climate. Here in North Texas, we are subject to weather extremes. We experience searing hot summers, violent storms, hail, freezing temperatures, and humidity. Since your exterior countertops will be exposed to the elements, the local climate should carry a lot of weight in your decision-making process.    

We know this can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, we’re here to help! As North Texas homeowners ourselves, we are intimately familiar with the unique weather challenges in DFW and its surrounding areas. And as experts in outdoor living, we know how to design and construct beautiful exterior cooking, eating, and entertaining spaces that will stand up to the elements and last for years. 

Consider this blog your guide for choosing the ideal countertop material for your backyard kitchen. If you have additional questions, please reach out. We’re always happy to chat more about how we can help bring your vision to life and create an outdoor living space worthy of you and your family! 

Ask the Right Questions

Before we get into a discussion about the pros and cons of various countertop materials, it’s crucial to stop and think through the factors that will influence your selection. The following questions will give you clarity and confidence as you move toward choosing the perfect work surface for your outdoor kitchen. 

1. How am I going to use these countertops? You may be thinking: That’s easy. I’m going to use them for cooking! And, of course, that’s true. However, exterior countertops tend to see a much broader range of uses than those inside the home. After all, we know the work surfaces inside our homes accumulate a hodgepodge of items—this will also be true of the surfaces outside your home.

   For instance, if you’re a gardener, you might place potted plants and gardening tools on your countertops as you cultivate your flower beds. If your backyard has a pool, your kids may throw their wet towels and pool toys on the counters.

   So, with these things in mind, here are some helpful questions to contemplate: 

   – Will my outdoor countertops be mostly decorative, or will they act as a bar or tabletop.

   – Will I prepare food on and eat food off of these surfaces?

   – Will I place hot cookware or cooking utensils on them? 

   – Will I use them for any other outdoor activities?  

2. Where will my countertops be located? Consider whether your countertops will be fully or partially covered or exposed to direct sunlight and rain. Some materials can fade or become discolored with exposure to the elements.

3. Do I have any aesthetic preferences? The design of your outdoor kitchen should complement the overall design of your home. It should reflect your personal style and not clash with either the materials used to construct your home’s exterior or the color palette used to decorate its interior. Identify the colors, patterns, and textures that will fit well in your space.

4. How much effort do I want to put into maintaining my countertops? Different materials require differing levels of care. Consider how often you’ll be using your outdoor kitchen and how much time and energy you are willing to invest in its upkeep.

5. What is my budget? When choosing outdoor countertops, you’ll want to think through materials and design, the cost of labor and installation, any maintenance that might be needed like sealants or finishes, and the size of your space. Make sure you’re including all of these in your budget so you’re not surprised by unexpected expenses! 

Choose the Right Materials

Once you’ve wrestled through the pertinent questions, it’s time to choose materials. There are a wide variety of options to choose from, and each has positives and negatives. Rather than present an exhaustive list, we’ll focus on some of the most common and trendy choices and provide our take on their suitability for your outdoor kitchen. 

1. Granite. This igneous rock has long been a popular choice for countertops in North America. It’s highly durable, which means it can stand up to tough Texas weather and normal cooking wear and tear. This quality alone makes it an excellent choice for your outdoor kitchen! As far as cost, granite countertops vary, but tend to fall in the middle to high end of the spectrum.

   Overall, granite is a great material for your open-air countertops, but there are a few downsides to consider. First, granite is porous, which means that it will need to be sealed to create an effective barrier against moisture, food, and bacteria. In addition, granite countertops will require regular reseals to keep them looking beautiful and functioning well. Finally, granite absorbs heat, so when temperatures are high, dark colors of granite in direct sunlight may result in unusable work surfaces.

2. Soapstone. Another naturally occurring rock, soapstone has many features that make it a strong contender for your external kitchen countertops. Unlike granite, soapstone is not porous. As a result, it does not require sealing and is fundamentally moisture and stain resistant. Soapstone is also easy to clean and maintain, though it will require prompt cleaning and maintenance to stay in good shape. Cost-wise, soapstone is fairly comparable to granite.

   Though it has a lot working in its favor, there are some negatives to soapstone that we need to mention. Similar to granite, darker shades of soapstone can absorb heat, converting your countertops into a burn hazard. Furthermore, it is a softer stone, which makes it susceptible to scratches and chips.

3. Quartzite. Like granite and soapstone, quartzite is natural stone. It’s a popular choice for countertops because of its visual similarity to marble. Each quartzite countertop is unique, and the available colors and patterns will add an elegant touch to your outdoor entertaining space. An exceptionally hard stone, quartzite is extremely durable and holds up well to the wear and tear of both weather and regular kitchen use.

   Despite its toughness, quartzite does require annual sealing to maintain its durability. But as long as it stays properly sealed, it’s very easy to clean. As with other natural stone countertops, quartzite can be expensive. If your budget is tight, it may not be your best option.

4. Concrete. This material has enjoyed a rise in popularity in recent years. Concrete is durable and customizable because it can be manipulated in many ways to create a unique aesthetic. Compared to granite and soapstone, concrete does not absorb as much heat—a definite plus during blazing Texas summers and particularly if your outdoor kitchen will not be covered!

   However, it’s important to know that concrete is porous, so it needs to be sealed and regularly maintained to protect against moisture, heat, bacteria, and food stains. It’s also susceptible to cracking from temperature fluctuations and stress. Finally, when factoring in installation and maintenance costs, concrete countertops can be more expensive than some of the natural stones.

5. Stainless steel. A trendy material for indoor kitchen countertops, stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain!

   However, when it comes to outdoor kitchen work surfaces in North Texas, it’s probably best to steer clear of stainless steel. It can become extremely hot when exposed to high temperatures, and if not maintained properly, it can rust. Stainless steel can also scratch easily.

6. Tile. The best quality this material has to offer is its price. As one of the least expensive options, tile might be a good choice for your outdoor kitchen countertops if you’re operating within a limited budget. Another positive is that tile comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and patterns, making it easy and fun to create a design that truly reflects your personal aesthetic.

   Tile countertops do have some noteworthy downsides, though. Compared to some of the other materials we’ve mentioned, you’ll have to spend a lot of time and effort on maintenance. Grout is notorious for collecting dirt, bacteria, and grime and will need to be cleaned regularly. In addition, tile tends to wear down faster and break or crack more easily. This makes it less durable than other countertop options. 

At Worthy Outdoors, we want you to love your open-air living space. We hope we’ve provided you with some helpful pointers as you decide on the right materials for your backyard kitchen countertops. Whether you’ve reached a decision or find yourself needing additional help, we are here to walk with you through conceptualization and execution. Let’s build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams!