8 Best Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Materials (Complete Guide)
The right outdoor kitchen countertop material is a worthwhile investment. You want to install counters that look attractive and hold up well to the elements. Of course, they have to fit your budget too!
Luckily, you have so many options. It can be quite overwhelming, but each outdoor countertop material has its own pros and cons. We review eight of the best outdoor kitchen countertop materials just for you.
- Granite
- Quartzite
- Stainless steel
- Soapstone
- Concrete
- Porcelain
- Pressure-treated wood
- Marble
Between these eight options, you’ll surely find one that meets your needs.
Our Top Pick - Granite
Granite is a durable, stain-resistant material that will last for decades if well-maintained. Granite is low-maintenance too. It’s by far the most popular choice for your outdoor countertops.
When installing granite countertops outdoors, it’s best practice to seal them. Granite is a porous stone; if unsealed, it’ll absorb a lot of water over time.
You can install unsealed granite countertops but they won’t be nearly as water-resistant. Sealed granite countertops are also heat and UV-resistant, the perfect combo for your outdoor patio!
Granite Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Rustic natural appearance
- Stain-resistant
- UV-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Most popular
- Great variety of colors
- Environmentally friendly
- Low maintenance
Granite Cons
- Requires sealing
- Can be expensive
- Color can fade in direct sunlight
- Hot or cold to the touch depending on the temperature
- Vulnerable to cracking
Can granite crack from the cold?
With a proper sealant, granite should not crack in the cold. Some areas of your countertops may have small natural cracks. Those areas will be more vulnerable to cracking compared to the rest of your granite countertop.
Will granite fade in the sun?
Yes, eventually granite will fade if in direct contact with the sun. Granite is UV resistant but not completely impervious to UV rays. Sealing your granite will help it last much longer on your outdoor patio.
Can I use granite tiles for my outdoor countertops?
Yes, you can use granite tiles for your outdoor countertops. Porcelain is another durable, heat-resistant option, but it is more expensive.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a durable natural stone that is weather-resistant and stain-resistant. It’s also highly UV resistant making it incredibly attractive for outdoor patios. Compared to granite, it has a less rustic and more modern look.
But, like granite, it is incredibly heat resistant and durable. To keep your quartzite counters in peak condition, you’ll want to seal them. Each year, reseal your countertops to get the most out of them.
Quartzite Pros
- Highly durable
- Weather-resistant
- Highly UV-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Scratch-resistant
- Modern look
Quartzite Cons
- Not very heat-resistant
- Limited colors and styles
- Requires sealing
- Porous, not very water-resistant (without a sealant)
Does quartzite fade in the sun?
Quartzite does not fade in the sun over time. Even in direct sunlight, quartzite will maintain its color for a long period of time. This makes it a great choice in open-concept or uncovered patios.
Which is harder quartzite or granite?
Quartzite is slightly harder than granite. Natural stone hardness is measured on what’s called a Moh scale. Granite is about 6.5 while quartzite is about 7. As far as durability goes, you can’t go wrong with either material for your outdoor countertops.
Which is stronger, quartz or quartzite?
Quartzite is slightly harder than quartz so it’s a little stronger too. But the difference between the two is pretty minimal as far as strength goes. Granite and quartzite should be sealed to increase the longevity of your countertops.
What is the difference between quartz and quartzite?
Quartzite is a porous natural stone material while quartzite is a non-porous engineered material. It combines quartzite with resins and glass to create a durable countertop material. Quartzite is a popular countertop material in today’s outdoor kitchens. But, the resins in quartz will yellow over time when exposed to the sun, so it’s not recommended for outdoor settings.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an exceptionally durable outdoor kitchen countertop material. It’s not one of the most popular, but it has some nice perks. Stainless steel blends in perfectly with your stainless steel grill, vent hood, side burner, fridge, and other stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel is virtually stain proof, corrosion-resistant, and easy to clean.
Keep in mind that these outdoor countertops are prone to scratching, denting, and smudging. But you can easily avoid scratches and dents if you’re a little more careful around the cooking area.
Stainless Steel Pros
- Low maintenance
- Highly durable
- Blend in well with other stainless steel appliances
- Weather-resistant
- UV-resistant
Stainless Steel Cons
- May look one-dimensional, uninspiring
- Prone to scratches and dents
- Can get smudged easily
- Small risk of shock when using electrical appliances
Can you cut on stainless steel countertops?
Do not cut on stainless steel countertops. Any scratches will be quite visible. Not to mention that the countertop will dull the knife too. Use a cutting board to protect your stainless steel countertop.
Are stainless steel countertops heat resistant?
Yes, stainless steel is highly heat resistant. You should still use trivets as a precaution though.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a nonporous heat-resistant natural stone. It blends well with other earthy colors like granite as well as stainless steel appliances. Because soapstone is nonporous it’s incredibly easy to clean.
But if you’re on a budget you may want to look at less expensive options such as granite or stainless steel. Also, when cooking in your outdoor kitchen, be careful not to drop pots and pans because soapstone counters can chip easily.
Soapstone Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Nonporous and water-resistant
- Incredibly durable
- Easy to clean
- Rustic outdoor look
Soapstone Cons
- Prone to scratches
- Expensive to install
- Color fades over time
- Prone to chips
- Limited color options
Does soapstone get hot in the sun?
Yes, soapstone can get quite hot in direct sunlight. Be careful using your outdoor kitchen on hot days!
Do soapstone countertops scratch easily?
Yes, soapstone is one of the softest materials for countertops so it scratches quite easily. You can remove these scratches by buffing them with mineral oil or doing some light sanding.
Concrete
Concrete is a long-lasting low-maintenance option for your outdoor countertops. Concrete outdoor countertops give you a lot of design flexibility as you can build countertops of any shape and size. Concrete can also be stamped with fun patterns to give your outdoor kitchen some uniqueness.
To keep your outdoor counters in top shape, you should reseal them about once a year.
Concrete Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Easy to clean
- Heat-resistant
- UV-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Variety of design options
Concrete Cons
- Not very water-resistant
- Requires resealing
- Prone to cracking
- Expensive to install
- Difficult to install and repair for beginner DIYers
- Heavy
Do outdoor concrete countertops crack?
Yes, concrete countertops can develop small hairline cracks over time. Usually, these can be repaired with a concrete sealer. But if the cracks are too severe you may need to hire a professional.
Do concrete countertops get hot in the sun?
Yes, especially if you have dark concrete countertops. The lighter the concrete, the more light it reflects and the cooler it’ll be.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a modern and durable option for your outdoor countertops. It’s a nonporous metal which means it’s highly water-resistant. This gives it a great advantage over porous materials like concrete. Since porcelain is non-porous, it doesn’t require consistent sealing. This makes maintenance easy!
Porcelain slabs are quite thin. It’s not uncommon that they break during the installation process. So it’s best if you left this installation to a professional. Once installed, be careful to not drop anything on your porcelain countertop. It’s prone to cracking.
Porcelain Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Heat resistant
- Variety of colors and styles
- Low-maintenance
- Water-resistant
- Doesn’t require sealing
- Easy to clean
Porcelain Cons
- Prone to cracking
- Expensive to install
- Low resale value
- Limited edge designs
- Fragile during installation
Do porcelain countertops chip easily?
Porcelain countertops don’t chip easily, but they will crack if you drop something on them. Be careful when working with pots and pans and sharp utensils.
Can you put hot pans on porcelain?
Yes, porcelain is incredibly heat resistant. But it’s still recommended to use trivets to protect your outdoor countertops. Porcelain is not heatproof so eventually, it may get damaged.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood is an affordable option for your outdoor kitchen countertops. You have a wide variety of woods to choose from and countless color options too. Pine is the most inexpensive, while cedar and redwood are more pricey but also higher quality.
The main drawback to pressure-treated wood is that it takes time to maintain. Outdoor wood requires a sealant to build a resistance to the elements. Your wood counters will have to be resealed annually to keep them in great condition.
Learn how to treat wood for outdoor use in this complete guide.
Pressure-Treated Wood Pros
- Variety of wood choices and color options
- Affordable
- Natural wood look
- Easy to repair
- Highly durable
Pressure-Treated Wood Cons
- Requires consistent maintenance
- Natural wood can splinter
- Requires a sealant
- Color fades over time
- Contains chemicals - can be dangerous if burned
Can you use a butcher block countertop outside?
Yes, you just need to seal the wood with a durable outdoor-rated sealant. Pine, elm, white oak, redwood, and cedar are a few options for your butcher block countertop. Unsealed wood will absorb too much water and struggle to hold up against the elements.
Is polyurethane good for butcher block countertops?
Yes, polyurethane is an effective sealant for butcher block countertops. You can also use lacquer which will provide great UV resistance and scratch resistance.
Marble
Marble is a beautiful high-end countertop material. Typically, it’s reserved for indoor use. It’s a softer metal so it’s prone to cracking. But, it’s still an option. Soapstone, for example, is a soft metal, and it’s a great addition to your outdoor patio.
To increase the longevity of your marble countertop, apply a durable food-safe sealant. Reseal the countertop annually to keep it in great condition. If you keep up with the maintenance, marble is one of the most beautiful, modern materials for your outdoor kitchen.
Marble Pros
- Highly durable
- High-end modern look
- Heat-resistant
- UV-resistant
- Naturally cool surface
Marble Cons
- Prone to cracking and chipping
- Expensive
- Requires sealing for outdoor use
- Vulnerable to fading in direct sunlight
Does marble crack in cold weather?
If sealed properly, marble can handle the cold weather well. But it is a porous stone, so heavy exposure to moisture can wear it down quickly.
Does marble fade in sunlight?
Marble is UV resistant, but it will fade in the sun over time. To keep your marble countertops in great condition for longer, apply a sealant.
We hope our guide on outdoor kitchen countertop materials was helpful for you. Granite is one of the best and most popular options, but you have a lot of alternatives as well. Most outdoor countertops require sealing to increase water, UV, stain, and heat resistance. If you opt for wood, make sure it is sealed properly with lacquer or varnish.
For more advice on planning your outdoor kitchen, check out the articles below.
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