Creating a Relaxing Outdoor Space

The backyard can be one of the most fun and entertaining places to be. What makes it even better is an ambient patio area complete with lights, a fire pit, and a countertop surface meant for cooking, eating, and entertaining. Backyard spaces are especially great for instances where social distancing is called for—there’s nothing better than open air, good food, and great friends.

The perfect countertop is the centerpiece of a dynamic outdoor area. You don’t want to be constantly worrying about the material getting damaged by weather, cooking, or everyday use. Your outdoor countertop should last for years in your backyard, promising fun outdoor nights for seasons to come.

Sanford Granite has a wide variety of countertops that are suitable for outdoor use. The qualities that make a countertop suitable for outdoor use are a bit different than what makes a good countertop inside, and we’ve taken that into consideration when compiling this list. It can be hard to differentiate what countertops are best for what types of situations, which is why our experts are here to make it easy and clear to understand.

No matter what you’re doing outside, whether it’s having a bonfire and cooking dinner or simply drinking with friends, these countertops will create an environment that’s ambient, beautiful, and will last in your family for a long time.

Here are the types of countertop materials from Sanford Granite that are great for outdoor use.

Granite Countertops

Granite is definitely the most popular choice when it comes to materials used for outdoor spaces. The reason it’s so popular is that it’s arguably the top choice for outdoor countertops—not only is it beautiful, it’s also durable (it holds up against heat, stains, and liquid once it’s sealed correctly) and timeless. Granite will never go out of style.

Granite is also resistant to chips, mold, and mildew—three issues that can be a problem when the countertop is outside. The last thing you want when using your outdoor countertop is to worry about what types of germs and bacteria are sneaking into the food that you’re preparing, and with granite you won’t have to worry about that at all.

The beauty of granite never fades—it keeps its color and shine, even when it’s placed in direct sunlight.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is also extremely durable, meaning that it won’t get damaged by the sun or weather. Even rain can’t hurt quartzite, as it’s not susceptible to heat damage or water damage. Quartzite, like all natural stones, requires proper sealing for this durability to last. And as long as you make sure that happens, you’re good to go.

Quartzite is a low-maintenance countertop, being that the cleaning routine is simple and straightforward. All you need is soap and water. To keep the stone looking as good as the day it was installed, we recommend making regular use of cutting boards and pot holders—quartzite will keep for even longer outside when you take the right precautions with it.

Soapstone

Soapstone is naturally nonporous, which makes it unfriendly toward liquid, mold, and mildew. It’s a great choice for those who love to grill because it doesn’t have much sensitivity to heat—you can even place hot pots and pans directly on its surface without having to worry about damage.

In the same way it’s impervious to liquid, mold, and mildew, soapstone is also resistant to the elements. Rain, snow, and salt won’t damage this material, and all you need to do to clean it is spray it with a garden hose. You can’t get any simpler than that.

Marble

Many have the idea that marble is a fragile, delicate stone that shouldn’t be used outside. While it is more fragile than granite and quartzite—it’s not impossible to use in your outdoor space.

In order to make sure that your marble lasts, we recommend passing up the polished finish and choosing a honed finish instead. A polished finish makes for a more delicate countertop—one that’s more vulnerable to the elements—and a honed finish is inherently more durable.

Marble is known for the way it ages with time, naturally progressing the longer you use it. If you’re interested in a rustic look to your marble, allow the rain to wash out stains and blend in the etch marks. Nothing says personality like a rustic slab of marble in your backyard.

Your Outdoor Space

Your outdoor space, much like your home, is unique—and that’s why we offer so many countertop materials that work great outside. If you have questions about your backyard and the countertop to use for it, call Sanford Granite at (407) 490-4703 for a free consultation.