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!