3 Reasons to Choose Granite Countertops for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor entertaining is something that more and more homeowners are doing these days. If you spend a lot of time preparing food and partying with family and friends outdoors, you want an outdoor kitchen space that is both beautiful and functional.
Countertops play an important role in outdoor kitchens, but selecting a countertop material for an outdoor kitchen isn't always easy. You must select a material that is durable and capable of withstanding exposure to the elements.
Granite is an excellent countertop choice for any outdoor kitchen. Learn more about the benefits granite countertops can offer if you are ready to build your outdoor kitchen.
1. Granite Can Withstand Exposure to the Elements
All natural stone surfaces are porous. Granite is the least porous of the natural stones used to produce countertops.
A granite slab will be sealed by the manufacturer. The sealing process requires the application of a specialized liquid that penetrates into the porous openings of the stone. Once the liquid cures, it seals the granite against moisture infiltration.
Since granite is the least porous stone, you will not have to re-apply the sealer material as often as you would with marble or quartz, even as it wears down.
A properly sealed granite countertop can easily withstand exposure to rain, snow, and other forms of precipitations without sustaining any serious damage. This feature makes granite the perfect material for your outdoor kitchen countertops.
2. Granite Won't Easily Chip or Crack
You should definitely consider the strength and durability of the material when you are installing countertops in your outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen can be exposed to many different types of hazards. Some of these hazards include falling tree limbs, hailstones, impact damage, and projectiles, along with the regular wear and tear of use.
The last thing you want is for your new outdoor countertops to become chipped or cracked after installation. Damaged countertops are not able to perform efficiently, and harmful bacteria can hide within the cracks and crevices caused by the damage.
Granite is an excellent choice for outdoor countertops because of its durability and strength. A granite countertop will not chip or crack with normal use. In fact, granite is such a durable countertop material that it can be found in many commercial kitchens.
In the event that your granite countertops do sustain minor damage, this damage can easily be repaired using granite dust mixed with a specialized epoxy.
3. Granite Can Withstand Exposure to Heat
Outdoor kitchens typically feature a few different cooking appliances. You may incorporate a barbecue into your outdoor kitchen, as well as a grill or griddle. Some people even add brick ovens to their outdoor kitchen.
The countertops that you install in your outdoor kitchen space must be able to withstand exposure to the heat these cooking appliances will generate.
Granite is very capable of retaining its structural integrity when exposed to high temperatures. This is due to the fact that granite itself is born out of extreme temperatures and pressures underneath the Earth's crust.
You can place hot pans and utensils directly onto a granite countertop surface without worrying about causing any lasting damage. Granite also has the ability to absorb heat well. Any heated dish that you place on a granite surface will cool faster than the same dish placed on another type of surface.
Outdoor kitchen countertops will be exposed to heat, but granite countertops are capable of retaining their beauty and form when faced with heat exposure.
An outdoor kitchen can make it easier to mingle with your guests while preparing meals for outdoor gatherings. Contact Luther Falls Kitchen & Bath to select granite countertops that will complement your outdoor living space.
