An outdoor kitchen is a luxurious addition to any outdoor living area. And with the right countertops, you can have elegant surfaces that will look great for all of your outdoor festivities. But to avoid any damage and keep your outdoor kitchen countertops looking great for a long time, selecting the right medium makes all the difference. And if you’re contemplating doing some outdoor kitchen remodeling, you’ve probably thought about adding stone or granite countertops to your existing layout. But what’s the real difference between these two mediums and which one is better? To make the right choice for your outdoor kitchen countertops, it’s imperative to understand the difference between stone and granite. To help you make the right choice for your outdoor space, read below as we compare the two mediums.
Stone
There are many different stone options that you can choose from to successfully build your outdoor countertops. With this variety of options, it’s easy to mix and match colors and designs to create the perfect outdoor kitchen. However, because your outdoor kitchen countertops are susceptible to the natural elements, stone countertops have to be protected so they aren’t damaged. Porous stone mediums such as marble, limestone, bluestone, and soap stone stain and wear down easily. But these mediums make for beautiful countertops, so taking the proper steps to protect them from the natural elements will give you a great finish. To protect your stone countertops, coat them with acrylic sealer to keep the color and maintain the durability.
Granite
Granite countertop options may not be as beautiful as some stone countertop options, but these mediums are praised for their ruggedness. There are many different design options when it comes to granite, but most include a speckled or flaked pattern. The thick design doesn’t require a subsurface or coating, and you can remain confident that your granite countertops will be able to stand up to the elements. They won’t stain or fade in the sun as easily as stone countertops can. Cleaning your granite countertop is easy and can be accomplished by washing away dust or debris with a hose. While your granite can withstand the sun and summer heat, high temperatures will make your outdoor kitchen countertop hot to the touch, so incorporating an awning or pergola for shading purposes will benefit you and your guests.
Best Option?
If you’re looking for durable countertops that can withstand the natural elements and still look fantastic, using granite is the better option. Granite countertops are easier to clean and won’t stain or wear down like stone countertops may do. And with the many different selections of granite, you can still customize your outdoor kitchen to your exact taste.
If you’re unsure which of these two mediums is the best option for your new outdoor kitchen, you can contact the professionals at Paul Construction LLC to learn more about the differences between them and how they would function in your outdoor living area.
