27

May

How To Choose Granite Countertops For Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Since the weather is getting nice with the warm sun and the light breeze, an outdoor kitchen sounds like the perfect place to fire up the stove and cook some delicious food. So, if you want to build an outdoor kitchen and you are stumped on the countertops, then here is everything you need to know about choosing granite countertops.

Why Granite For Outdoor Kitchen?

Granite Is Durable

Granite’s middle name is durable, which is something that you don’t see every day with kitchen countertop materials. If you want to go for a material that will not only look amazing but is amazing at staying that way for longer, then granite is what you want to choose for your outdoor kitchen.

It is a perfect material for the outdoors because the patterns, the colors, and everything just look so natural, and add to that its amazing strength and durability and you’ve got yourself the entire package.

Can It Handle High Temperatures?

Shortly, yes, granite can handle high temperatures. If you live in a place where the sun is always mercilessly blazing and there is no shade whatsoever, then you will see that granite will do just fine. It is a natural stone that is made underneath the Earth under unimaginable pressures and temperatures, so what’s a little bit of sun?

Granite is an amazing option to go for if you want something that will last you for a long time without fading away.

Granite Boosts Home Value

This is something that will convince you to get granite for your outdoor kitchen. Granite, even though it is expensive and not everyone can get their hands on a material like this, is amazing when it comes to return on investment.

When you go ahead and sell your house in the future and you add details of everything in the description of your house and the features, then you’ll see that people will flock over to see what the deal is. So, if you’re going to spend money on granite, then don’t worry because it will come back in one way or another.

Tips For Choosing Granite Countertops For An Outdoor Kitchen

Think About The Budget

When going for granite, one of the biggest things you have to think about is the budget. You don’t want to jump into granite without any financial prep. Think about it – granite is an expensive material. It is going to need a hefty budget for you to be able to afford it. You want to set a budget when getting granite, because the last thing you need is to go completely broke thanks to not planning things ahead of time. So, a budget, as tedious as it sounds, is crucial.

You want to think about how much will granite cost. Do your research on the internet and retailer shops, and then figure out an estimate for the slabs. That is how you will know how much you have to spend on getting granite for your outdoor kitchen.

Don’t Forget The Maintenance Aspect

Granite, as amazing as it is, is a very maintenance-heavy material. It is something that you have to keep in mind when going in for granite. Granite is a very durable material, but it also needs a bit of maintenance, especially when it is going to be outside almost all the time. So, you want to ensure that you’re thinking about how much maintenance it will require and also how much it will cost because that is another debacle that you have to sort out.

Things are not as easy when it comes to marble and you have to do everything you can to think about every possible thing before going for granite for your outdoor kitchen countertops.

Select The Color

The next thing you want to go over is the color of the countertops. Granite is available in a lot of colors and all of them are very pretty and majestic, but you want to choose the color you desire carefully. If you like darker colors, then check out the darker variants in granite.

If you love light and more neutral colors, then you can go for lighter ones. However, the part where you need to think about something else is the availability of said colors. Usually, dark colors are easily available, but light colors, not so much. So, you need to search the right places to get what you want.

Granite Needs Protection

Since the granite countertops will be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather 24/7, you need to think about protecting these bad boys and that is possible through proper sealing and taking care of the granite countertops. This is something that a lot of people don’t think about, but you have to if you’re going to get granite for your outdoor kitchen.

You will need to seal it more frequently than indoors because when you’re concerned with an outdoor kitchen, whatever you’re doing to protect your countertops indoors has to be done almost twice or three times as much.

Check Samples For A Better Idea

When you’re choosing granite, this is something that you want to avoid doing online or not in person. This is something that you have to do in a store under the different lights, checking and feeling for textures. This is why samples exist. Samples can give you a better idea of what the stone looks like and what it can feel like.

Yes, some samples can also be deceiving, but they’re very close to the real deal. Samples are worn out and the color may also be a bit dull, so the natural stone will be brighter and will look new because it hasn’t been touched and felt by hundreds of buyers before.

Go To A Trusted Retailer

When you’re getting granite for your outdoor kitchen you want to make sure that you’re going to a trusted and reliable retailer. There are lots of people who can scam you in any way and you want to steer clear of these circumstances at all costs.

If you’re spending the money on granite, then you should at least get something from a good retailer. So, check reviews of different places and even check different stores by yourself. You can’t fool what you see.

Slabs Or Tiles?

You also want to go over the choice of slabs or tiles. Granite is available in both forms. Slabs are thicker stones with a more edgier look to them, whereas tiles give a more unique look to the kitchen.

Slabs are thicker, so they’re stronger, but also heavier to deal with and install, whereas tiles are lightweight and can be easily installed, however, they’re fragile and can break easily. So, take your pick because it all boils down to what you like the most in your outdoor kitchen.

Conclusion

Granite is an amazing material and it is suitable for outdoor kitchens too. Buying granite countertops can be easy if you know your requirements and consult a trusted granite contractor Potomac who can guide you through the process. Good luck!

14

May

Why You Should Not Choose Wood Countertops?

Wood countertops appear amazing. Their beauty is out of this world, they have a classic look and add value to your home. But, sometimes, they’re just not the best when it comes to a long-lasting and easy material to deal with. Here are all the reasons why you shouldn’t go for wood countertops and consider natural stone or quartz kitchen countertops instead.

Avoid Wood Countertops When:

You Want To Avoid Maintenance

Maintenance is the middle name of wooden countertops. If you’re looking for a kitchen countertop material that is going to leave you feeling free and breezy with the work, then wood is not it. Wood is one of those very high maintenance materials and it’s not the one to go for.

There’s Too Much Moisture

Wood is also not the best when it comes to water and moisture damage. You might think that water is harmless since it doesn’t have any color or it doesn’t leave any stains. Well, that’s far from the truth. Water is one of those things that can stain countertops like crazy and wood will suck up all of the water and moisture and get ruined in no time.

So, if you don’t want your perfectly good and expensive countertops to be ruined with something as simple as water, then don’t go for it.

You’re Scared Of Stains

Wood can stain a lot too. Wood is a porous material and it can suck in any liquid on its surface. So, if you think that wood won’t leave stains, then you’re very wrong. Wood can get ruined and the look will be unpleasant if it is mottled with stains all over the surface.

Therefore, if you want to go for wood, then sealing it is a must, but then you’ll be taking on the burden of maintaining this very demanding material and that is not ideal at all.

You Want Variety

Wood doesn’t have a lot of variety. It’s just a plain ole material at the end of the day and there is not a lot you can do with its look. Now, some people love wood and it’s an amazing and beautiful material with natural veining and stained surfaces.

However, not everyone loves the look of wood. It is just too plain and too boring and there are almost zero color options besides the warm brown or some other shades of it. If you are someone who loves variety, then you need to go for other materials besides wood. They will satiate your inner indecisive person.

You Want Perfection

Wood is a natural material, so you can expect some spots and imperfections here and there. It is not going to be a 100% perfect material with no blemishes. So, if that’s something that can put you off, then you shouldn’t go for this material at all.

There are tons of other natural stone and man-made stone options out there that will be perfect from the front to the back, so you won’t have to worry about anything. The look will be amazing and there will be zero imperfections. However, wood is not part of that boat.

You Want Something Trendy

Wood is not a trendy option in any way. It is more like a timeless and classic material but that doesn’t mean that it always looks amazing too. Some people might find the look of wood to be too old and not contemporary.

So, if that is how you feel when you see wood, then it is not for you. You don’t want to commit to wood just because it’s “trendy”. There are other materials out there that will fit the trend theme perfectly. So, you can choose from an array of other materials, and leave wood where it’s supposed to be.

You Want Reasonable Options

Wood is not a reasonable option at all if you want a high-quality wood option, and if you do hear that it is very cheap, then, well, it’s not wood or low-quality wood. Wood is an expensive material because it is limited in quantity. Wood is seldom manufactured in factories and if it is, then it is not real hardwood.

Real hardwood comes from trees and they have to be cut down to supply them to manufacturers and retailers all over the world. This makes things interesting because there is a lot of variety in terms of cost and quality of wood. There are low cost options, medium-range options, and then higher cost wood countertops. The quality is a concern in low cost options, however.

You’re Building An Outdoor Kitchen

If you have an outdoor kitchen or you’re building one and you want to get a countertop for it too, then stay far, far away from wood. Wood is not suited to be an outdoor kitchen countertop material. It can get damaged and burned by the sun, it is not the best when it comes to torrential rains and it just won’t last that long under constantly changing weather conditions.

So, if you want to get your hands on a good outdoor kitchen countertop material, then wood is not it. Go for something else and you won’t be disappointed.

What To Buy Instead Of Wood Countertops?

So, now that you know when you shouldn’t select wood as your kitchen countertop, then what should you do? Well, here are some of the better alternatives out there.

Granite Countertops

Even though granite is also a natural stone and does require maintenance as well, it is very durable when it comes to longevity and if you’re looking for a similar material in the sense of adding value to your home, then granite will tick all of the boxes.

Quartz Countertops

If you don’t want to go for natural materials, because they are too much work, then quartz is an amazing option. It is hard like stone, it is heat resistant, it is perfect for outdoor kitchens and it won’t put a dent in your wallet either.

Stainless Steel Countertops

If budget is not an issue and you want to try a completely different material, then stainless steel will give your kitchen that minimal and industrial look. It is expensive, but it requires no maintenance other than cleaning it every day.

Soapstone Countertops

If you love a good and almost slippery-feeling material, then true to its name, soapstone, will be a great option. It is a less demanding and low-maintenance version of marble, so there’s that.

Marble Countertops

Marble, even though it is extremely high maintenance, is a beautiful material nonetheless, and like granite, it is also quite up there in the ROI department. So, if you love elegant and neutral-colored materials, then marble is the way to go.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is a much sturdier and low maintenance material as compared to marble. If you love the look of marble but don’t appreciate the price and the maintenance aspect of things, then limestone will not disappoint you. It is a decent material and it will make for a durable material.

Conclusion

Well, now you know exactly when to avoid wooden countertops and what to get instead if you want something durable, easy to maintain, and longer lasting. Get in touch with a quartz countertop contractor Rockville to pick the right countertop material.