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Outdoor Kitchen Countertops | What You Need To Know
When planning and budgeting for your outdoor kitchen, countertops options can be a difficult process. There are several differing opinions on what is bestfor your outdoor living space, so it can be challenging to figure out how to proceed. Luckily for you, our experts can tell you everything you need to know about outdoor countertops. Read on to learn overlooked details that make or break countertop installations.
Popular Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Materials
Want to learn more about outdoor kitchen surfaces? We consulted outdoor kitchen designers, professional contractors, and industry leaders to compare notes. Here are our findings, broken down for your convenience. Read further for details on the most popular countertop materials.
Estimated Costs of Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
While countertop materials vary wildly in expense based on location and availability, we can give you a rough estimate of what to expect with different materials. The following represents our best reasonable averages from various quality suppliers and industry authorities. Note that material quality also plays a large part, as the higher end of the scale is usually the result of premium sourcing. The table below shows the cost of various materials without labor/installation. For more information on the cost of outdoor kitchen products and materials, check out our article How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?
| Countertop Material | Approx. Materials Cost / Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Aluminum |
$30-80 |
| Granite |
$40-100 |
| Concrete |
$15-25 |
| Engineered Stone |
$40-100 |
| Faux-Granite |
$35-70 |
| Engineered Stone |
$40-100 |
| Dekton |
$55-120 |
| Compact Laminate |
$15-30 |
Designing your own Outdoor Kitchen?
Designing your own Outdoor Kitchen?
Our in-house design team is here to help! With decades of product knowledge and exterior design experience, our experts will work with you to develop a completely customized outdoor kitchen plan. Plus, it's completely free!
- Our experts will work with you to develop a completely customized outdoor kitchen plan.
- All design consultations include a free personalized 3D rendering to ensure our design is suited to your needs.
- Our team will guide you through an extensive catalogue of premium outdoor kitchen brands and appliances.
Common Types of Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Finishes
A “finish” is the last layer of color and texture that gives a surface its end appearance. Finishes and sealants are sometimes the same thing. This end step of the manufacturing process often involves sanding, sealing, and coating—and then your countertop is ready for installation. For more information, check out our article on Outdoor Kitchen Finishes and Materials.
Polished
- Popular choice that features a mirror-like gloss
- Brings out the richest colors and patterns of any surface
- Its less porous edge means it can be easily wiped down
Honed
- Matte finish with a duller appearance than polished leaves a soft feeling that is smooth to the touch
- Conceals the stone’s natural flaws easier and hides scratches better
- Darker finishes tend to show fingerprints and smudging and often fade
Leathered
- Sometimes called a “brushed finish” and named for its distinctly leathery appearance
- Doesn’t reflect light
- Naturally stain-resistant and effortlessly disguises blemishes and smudges
Flamed
- Exclusive to granite countertops, these create a faded, natural appearance
- Overall, will be more muted charcoal or tan, but the contrasting colors in grains will pop
- Rougher surface can be harder to keep clean and some find the texture unpleasant
Final Considerations
Seal Your Countertops Before Installing Storage
For many surfaces, sealant is a necessity, but one thing that it is not good for is stainless steel. Sealant is incredibly corrosive to stainless steel, so we advise sealing your countertop before installing your built-in grill and storage components into your island.
Knives and Countertops are Mortal Enemies
Countertops dull knives and knives will chip, etch, and scratch countertops, so introducing these together is a recipe for disaster. Protect countertops and knives from one another with a quality cutting board to keep both in their best shape.
We Work with Contractors (and You!)
Our team of dedicated Pro Program representatives can work directly with your contractor and you from the start of the project to final installation. Our in-house Pro team can help with shopping, ordering, bulk discounts, troubleshooting and more. Need assistance placing an order or answering a question? Get started with our Pro Program today!
If you have any questions, give our experts a call at (877) 743-2269 to get help planning your perfect backyard.
