The Perfect Outdoor Worktop: How to Choose the Best for Your Contemporary Home

It’s summer, and you need a break after spending long months dressed warm and tucked indoors. Indeed, some grilling and chilled drinks are enough to warm you up, so you need an outdoor kitchen. Nobody wants to be grilling indoors anyways.

An outdoor kitchen lets you enjoy the cool breeze, watch your kids swim, and lounge as you prepare a family meal. So, what outdoor worktop is best for these kitchens? We know getting appropriate worktops for outdoor kitchens takes time and money. So, here’s a guide to help you find the perfect worktop. Stay tuned so you have your outdoor project ready before hosting a gathering.

What Makes an Outdoor Kitchen Worktop Good?

Outdoor kitchens are exposed to environmental factors like the scorching sun and wet seasons. Due to this fact, they must be well-designed to last long in different weather. Durability and UV-ray suitability should be the priority, although it has much to do with your stone type.

Beautiful natural stone patterns, like marble, granite, quartzite and limestone, attract homeowners. However, at Worktop Library, we help you check for features like non-porosity and stain resistance. Since the worktop is outside, there are higher chances of getting dirty water, wine and grease stains.

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Kitchen Worktop

It’s easy to get carried away and choose unsuitable worktops for their appearance. Aesthetic appeal is critical, but practicality and functionality are primal to consider. Here are some things to think about:

Weather

Different regions in the UK face different weather conditions at the same time of the year. Some have long periods of cold weather while others experience hot sun more. Thus, think carefully about weather elements that will affect the countertop. Choose materials that won’t crack, expand, or contract.

Expense

How much are you willing to spend on an outdoor worktop? While indoor worktops last long because they’re not exposed to different weather conditions, outdoor kitchen worktops are not so lucky. Consider what cost feels comfortable, mainly based on the worktop material’s durability.

Some porcelain brands, such as Laminam, often run promotional discounts on some of their materials. Laminam Calce Bianco offers a pure white outdoor worktop with a seamless surface of 3.2 metres long.

Budget Items to Consider

• Material quality – high-quality materials and finishes cost more and last longer.
• Utilities (electricity, gas, and water)
• Technology (internet cables and installation lines)

Maintenance

Some countertops need more maintenance, depending on their material. So, speak with us about cleaning and maintaining them to avoid damaging the surface. Of course, we suggest low-maintenance options if you have minimal time and expertise to maintain a demanding worktop.

Worktop Material

Several options are available for homeowners, including:

• Marble
• Quartz
• Quartzite
• Granite
• Terrazzo
• Porcelain

These materials differ in cost, durability, and appearance. Before choosing any, check the features to ensure it’s suitable for outdoor use.

Kitchen Design and Theme

Worktop material, durability and functionality matter, but it looks off if the countertop doesn’t match your outdoor kitchen theme. Consider the kitchen’s theme, design, and style before selecting an outdoor kitchen worktop. Then, you know what countertop is most suitable.

The kitchen layout is also essential to consider since space might be an issue depending on the components going into the outdoor kitchen. If space isn’t an issue, you have more area to add worktops.

Functionality

How often do you use your kitchen, or prefer a professional outdoor kitchen? All these determine the type of kitchen worktops you install. After all, professional kitchens have hot, cold, wet, and hot areas. So, each section must have the right worktop to promote functionality.

Appliances

When setting up an outdoor kitchen, homeowners must consider the desired appliances. Again, factoring in how these appliances run (gas, charcoal, electric) affects your worktop type. For instance, when installing a pizza oven in your outdoor kitchen, do so far from quartz worktops. These worktops change colour when exposed to high heat for long periods.

What is the Best Material for Outdoor Worktops?

Durability comes first and looks second. That said, there are three popular worktop materials popular with homeowners. These include:

Stone

Marble, limestone and granite are porous and require sealing every year or two. However, granite is more stain resistant and stands up well to weather elements. Still, there are a few great options, so don’t limit yourself to these.

Concrete

Worktops made from natural concrete look clean and modern but are prone to cracking if installed poorly. In addition, they can chip reasonably easily and will sain heavily over time. Worktop installers must seal concrete worktops during installation and redo them regularly to increase longevity.

Tile

Tile is affordable and available in many styles. Choose porcelain over ceramic tile since traditional ceramic can fade and discolour. Brands like Neolith and Dekton offer extra large tiles up to 150 x150 cm.

The Benefits of Outdoor Kitchens

An indoor worktop is enough if you don’t like entertaining guests at your house. Contrastingly, outdoor kitchens are necessary for homeowners who love space and outdoor entertainment. The advantages of setting up an outdoor kitchen include the following:

• Better space to prepare and cook meals.
• Reduced maintenance costs.
• The smells stay outside.
• More entertainment spaces.

Are you looking for a new worktop for your outdoor kitchen? If so, you need the best worktops, whether setting up a new kitchen or revamping your old space. Consider cost, weather conditions, and kitchen design for the best stone, concrete or tile worktop.

Author:

Alan Nussbaum

Meet Alan Nussbaum, our Sales and Marketing Manager, whose expertise in stone worktops is second to none. With almost two decades of experience, Alan’s impressive track record includes creating one of the first online stone companies in 2012 and pioneering the acceptance of cryptocurrencies in construction in 2018 before co-founding The Worktop Library with Maria.
Alan’s outstanding work is featured in numerous Stone and Home Decor magazines. In addition, he collaborates with the industry’s leading stone brands, cementing his reputation as a true innovator.
Before starting a thriving career in the stone industry, Alan honed his skills by overseeing luxury fashion brands such as Burberry, Matches Fashion, and Patrick Cox. With his unique blend of experience and expertise, Alan is a true trailblazer in the stone worktop industry. His passion for delivering exceptional service is evident in every aspect of his work.