Category: Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

An Introduction to Outdoor Kitchen Finishing Materials

Posted on October 2, 2024 by - Custom Outdoor Kitchen Contracting Services, Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Kitchen Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Construction Information, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

Understanding Your Finishing Material Options when Building an Outdoor Kitchen

You Have Options Where it Concerns Finishing Materials

Welcome to Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, your premier outdoor kitchen design and build specialist serving Southwest Florida. When it comes to crafting the perfect outdoor kitchen, the choice of finishing materials plays a pivotal role in both aesthetics and functionality. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best countertop and siding finish options, specifically suited to our unique climate. Whether you’re building a modern oasis or a charming rustic retreat, the right materials will ensure that your outdoor kitchen remains beautiful and durable for years to come.

 

Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Options

Level 3 Ocean Beige granite

Level 3 Ocean Beige granite

Countertops are the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen, where meal prep, cooking, and socializing come together. Given Florida’s hot, humid, and salty environment, it’s essential to select materials that can withstand the elements while providing a stylish finish.

1. Granite

Granite is one of the most popular choices for outdoor kitchen countertops, and for good reason. It’s a natural stone that is highly resistant to heat, scratches, and staining when properly sealed. In the Southwest Florida climate, granite holds up exceptionally well against the sun, humidity, and salt air. Plus, it comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it easy to match any design style.

Pros:

  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Resistant to heat, UV rays, and moisture
  • Wide variety of colors and patterns
  • Easy to clean and maintain with proper sealing

Cons:

  • Requires periodic sealing to maintain stain resistance
  • Can be on the pricier side compared to other materials

2. Quartzite

Quartzite Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Material

Quartzite Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Material

Quartzite is another excellent natural stone option for outdoor kitchen countertops. Often confused with quartz, which is engineered, quartzite is a natural material that is incredibly hard and durable. It has a similar appearance to marble, offering a high-end look, but it’s much more resistant to heat and wear, making it ideal for outdoor use.

Pros:

  • Extremely durable and hard
  • Heat and UV resistant
  • Offers a high-end, luxurious look

Cons:

  • Can be more expensive than granite
  • Requires sealing to prevent stains

 

3. Concrete

Concrete countertops have become a trendy option for modern and industrial-style outdoor kitchens. Concrete offers complete customization in terms of shape, color, and texture. You can even embed decorative elements, like glass or stone, to create a unique look. When properly sealed, concrete is highly resistant to the elements, although it may require some maintenance over time.

Pros:

  • Fully customizable in shape, color, and design
  • Extremely durable
  • Heat-resistant

Cons:

  • Requires sealing and periodic maintenance to prevent cracking or staining
  • Can develop hairline cracks due to weather conditions

4. Porcelain

Porcelain countertops are relatively new to the outdoor kitchen scene but are gaining popularity thanks to their resilience and low maintenance. Porcelain is incredibly durable, non-porous, and resistant to heat, stains, and UV rays. It’s also available in a variety of finishes, including those that mimic natural stone, wood, or concrete, allowing for endless design possibilities.

Pros:

  • Resistant to heat, stains, and UV rays
  • Lightweight yet durable
  • Available in a variety of finishes and patterns

Cons:

  • Can be more expensive than other countertop options
  • More prone to chipping than natural stone

5. Tile

Ceramic or porcelain tile can also be used for outdoor kitchen countertops, offering a budget-friendly option with a vast array of design choices. While tile is relatively durable, the grout lines can sometimes require more maintenance to keep them looking fresh, especially in humid environments.

Pros:

  • Affordable and available in a wide range of colors and styles
  • Heat and moisture resistant
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Grout lines may need periodic resealing to prevent stains
  • Tiles can crack under heavy impact or shifting surfaces

Outdoor Kitchen Siding Finish Options

The siding of your outdoor kitchen is just as important as the countertops. It defines the overall style, protects the structure, and should complement the rest of your outdoor space. Here are some popular siding finish options that work well in the Southwest Florida climate:

1. Stucco

Stucco is a classic finish for outdoor kitchens, especially in areas like Florida where Mediterranean and coastal designs are popular. It provides a smooth, seamless look and is available in a wide range of colors. Stucco is highly resistant to moisture and heat, making it a great option for outdoor applications. It’s also relatively easy to maintain and repair.

Pros:

  • Moisture and heat resistant
  • Seamless, clean appearance
  • Available in many colors and textures

Cons:

  • Can crack over time if not applied properly
  • Requires periodic maintenance and sealing

2. Natural Stone Finishing Material

For a more rustic or natural look, stone veneer is an excellent choice. Made from either natural stone or manufactured materials designed to mimic stone, this siding option is highly durable and weather-resistant. Stone veneer comes in a variety of colors and textures, allowing you to create a unique look that blends with your outdoor environment.

Pros:

  • Highly durable and weather-resistant
  • Offers a timeless, natural look
  • Available in a variety of stone types and colors

Cons:

  • Can be more expensive than other siding materials
  • Installation can be labor-intensive

3. Brick Veneer

Brick veneer is another timeless option that gives your outdoor kitchen a classic, charming look. It’s incredibly durable, able to withstand the heat and humidity of Southwest Florida, and offers a variety of color options. Brick also has the added benefit of being low maintenance, requiring little more than an occasional washdown.

Pros:

  • Durable and weather-resistant
  • Low maintenance
  • Classic, timeless aesthetic

Cons:

  • Limited to brick-like textures and colors
  • Heavier and more expensive than some other siding options

4. Stacked Stone Finishing Materials

Arctic White honed

Arctic White honed

For a modern, textured finish, stacked stone panels offer a striking visual effect. These are typically made from natural stone or a high-quality composite material that mimics the look of real stone. Stacked stone adds depth and interest to your outdoor kitchen, and like stone veneer, it’s incredibly durable in outdoor settings.

Pros:

  • Eye-catching, textured appearance
  • Durable and weather-resistant
  • Available in a wide range of colors and stone types

Cons:

  • Installation can be more complex and costly
  • Requires professional installation for best results

5. Stainless Steel Panels

For a sleek, modern look that’s easy to maintain, stainless steel panels are a great choice for siding. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for the humid, salty air of Southwest Florida. It’s also easy to clean and offers a contemporary aesthetic that pairs well with stainless steel appliances.

Pros:

  • Resistant to corrosion and weathering
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Modern, sleek aesthetic

Cons:

  • Can become hot to the touch in direct sunlight
  • Limited to modern or industrial design styles

Conclusion

Choosing the right countertop and siding finishes for your outdoor kitchen is essential to ensuring that your space is both beautiful and functional for years to come. At Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, we work with you to select materials that will not only complement your style but also withstand the unique challenges of the Southwest Florida climate. From the timeless elegance of granite countertops to the rugged charm of natural stone veneers, we have the expertise to help you create the perfect outdoor oasis.

We invite you to take a look at the official Elegant Outdoor Kitchens Project Portfolio. It’s full of outdoor kitchen design ideas, and it demonstrates the EOK commitment to delivering only the highest standard in outdoor kitchen & Living Space design within the Southwest Florida region. View the EOK Project Portfolio.

 

View the Official Elegant Outdoor Kitchens Grills Gone Wild Online Store to shop for outdoor kitchen components.

 

Ready to start designing your dream outdoor kitchen? Contact us today, and let’s make it happen!

Maintaining and Cleaning your Outdoor Kitchen

Posted on September 19, 2019 by - Outdoor BBQ Islands, Outdoor Kitchen Built-in Grills, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops, Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas, Professional Barbecue Grills, Uncategorized

You’ve done it! You are now the proud owner of a Custom Outdoor Kitchen, undoubtedly you’ve hosted a few outdoor cookouts and relaxed under the sun with friends and family. It’s easy to enjoy your investment but let’s not forget to keep up with maintaining our wonderful Outdoor Living Space. By its very nature, our outdoor kitchens will attract dirt and, and not to mention wear and tear from the elements. Let’s go over some basic tips and guides for maintaining and cleaning our outdoor kitchens.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances and Surfaces

Our outdoor living spaces were designed to meet the outdoor weather head-on! However, that doesn’t make them invincible against wear and tear. As a general rule of thumb, never cut on a stainless steel surface, instead bring out or store a cutting board in your outdoor living space. With that said stainless is really easy to clean! Typically you’ll only need soapy water a microfiber towel and good helping of elbow grease. Be sure to clean these surfaces regularly by including in your weekly cleaning schedule.

How to make it Shine!

We’ve all been there, after a few months or a year of heavy use, oil and finger smudges accumulate into a fine but noticeable haze that covers the surface or certain spots of your shiny stainless steel appliances and surfaces. Never fear! Stainless Steel Polish is here! Apply a penny-sized drop of polish to a microfiber towel and rub the polish into the stainless steel in a single direction, working it in circular motions can lead to “swirling” which will only complicate resurfacing it next year. After applying the polish be sure to rinse it off completely using a CLEAN microfiber towel and soapy water. Once down rinsing dry the stainless steel with another microfiber towel as the chloride found in most tap water will stain your shiny new surface.

Protect that new shine

For this step, you may want to consult a professional but it is a task that most outdoor fanatics can tackle. To protect your stainless steel appliances and surfaces from corrosion and rust you can add a few coats of powder or clear coat. Clearcoat with brings out another level shine that polish alone cannot produce, while powder coating surfaces can add a layer of color and texture. Think of this step as you would a leather jacket, it will keep you both safe from the weather and most minor abrasions.

Update your Outdoor Kitchen Living Space

Posted on September 13, 2019 by - Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor BBQ Islands, Outdoor Kitchen Built-in Grills, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops, Uncategorized

Spending time outside enjoying the lovely Florida sun with friends and family is arguably the sweetest fruit of our labor. The size of the outdoor space hardly matters you make it your unique outdoor paradise. Planning your outdoor kitchen correctly and safely will maximize the usable outdoor kitchen living space available to you.

Outdoor Fung Shui

The right tile and outdoor material will bring out the desired color of your outdoor kitchen living space. Outdoor tiles and materials are the foundation that brings the entire outdoor experience together. Whether you go with a neutral finish such as stone or opt for warmer materials such as brick molded concrete, the outdoor floor defines the mood of the space

A touch of Green Thumb

Having plants in your outdoor living space helps elevate the mood and makes the whole experience more organic. Plan the color of your fixtures around the color of the types of plants you’d like to have to create an additional layer of aesthetic. Plants introduce a number of benefits that include lowering the carbon dioxide levels, and keeping the temperature a little lower!

A Splash of Water Features

Whether it’s a bubbling hot tub or a pouring fountain, there is nothing more relaxing than the sound of moving water. Introducing this pleasant babbling feature no matter the size will help stress relief for both you and your loved ones.

Simplifying The Process: Owning an Elegant Outdoor Kitchen, It’s Ease and Your Happiness

Posted on July 5, 2018 by - Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor BBQ Islands, Outdoor Kitchen Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops, Outdoor Kitchen Design, Outdoor Kitchen Ideas, Residential Outdoor Kitchen Design

Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, outdoor kitchens, bbq, outdoor living, barbecue islands, custom outdoor kitchens, custom outdoor living, florida, naples, ft myers, fort myers

Owning an Elegant Outdoor Kitchen is different than going to Home Depot, writing out all the products you wish to include, hiring a general contractor and piecemealing your thoughts into an inconvenient, stress-amplifying experience. The ease we provide to our customers is beneficial for many reasons. Not only do we remove you from the unwanted burden placed upon yourself to achieve the desired result, but before the process even begins we guide you through a series of pertinent questions that may have been otherwise overlooked.

For instance, will you be hosting parties or the occasional intimate family gathering? Will you need refrigeration, natural gas or running water? Do you have the proper water lines or gas lines running to your outdoor living area? If not, have you inquired about an estimate? What type of fuel will your primary cooking components use? (Natural gas, charcoal, wood, propane, etcetera). Will you be dining outside? If so, do you want your outdoor kitchen to have reasonable accommodation for such? What type of cooking are you most interested in pursuing? Will it be grilling, baking, smoking or a combination of the previously mentioned? What kind of material finishes will you be selecting and have you considered how they’ll fair in the Southwest Floridian weather? Do you need functional storage and trash storage? What design layout works best for your allotted space? Have you spoken with a professional design consultant yet?

Reading these questions may seem overwhelming. Not only are they valid concerns, but there’s also quite a few. Many of them would’ve arisen once the general contractor had been hired, creating an added pressure to have an answer before you know if it’s the correct one, had you not considered each prior.

Andrea and Ben Poulton of Elegant Outdoor Kitchens indeed simplify the process. You can contact us for a free consultation, we’ll come by your home at a time of your selection, and together we’ll navigate the parameters and possibilities within them while focusing our attention on what’s practical, within budget and aesthetically appealing. We’ll create a mock outdoor kitchen in our software, propose it to you based on the information we’ve discussed, further reworking the design if necessary, and once you’re happy with the layout, action will ensue. You won’t have to worry one bit; continue on with your life. We’ll just be in the backyard shrouding your vision with sawdust and hard work; however, once the debris settles and our final tool goes back into its bag, you’ll realize in that moment that your selection to choose us was one you won’t regret.

Call us today for a free consultation. Let’s create something lasting, something you take pride in, something beautiful, something you.

Winter Season Maintenance Tips for Outdoor Kitchen Granite Countertops

Posted on October 5, 2017 by - Outdoor Kitchen Construction Information, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops, Outdoor Kitchen Maintenance

Close-up of Saturnia Granite & California Gold Stacked Stone

With the winter season approaching, keeping your outdoor kitchen and living areas clean can seem like a daunting task.
Sure, during this time we tend to be a bit more relaxed with the amount of cleaning and maintenance we perform. If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you own an outdoor kitchen area that you would like to maintain during Winter season. We’ve included some maintenance tips you could use that will ensure that your countertops don’t damaged or deteriorate during the winter season.
That’s why we’ve compiled a few helpful tips on how to keep your granite countertops in good shape during this time:

Sealing Granite Countertops

Obviously, one of the crucial steps to maintaining your outdoor granite countertops during the winter is to seal them.
Keeping your countertops in good condition largely depends on sealants. Especially if your countertop is exposed to snowfall, sealing your countertops on a more regular basis is of the utmost importance. Increased exposure to moisture will wear out the existing layer of sealant, and we all know that moisture can be detrimental to your countertops. Whether your countertops are granite, marble or quartzite – moisture will adversely affect them. So be sure to seal them regularly!

Watch Out For Freezing and Thawing (Even in Areas that Don’t Receive Snow)

Another aspect to be on the lookout for is the cycle of freezing and thawing. It’s important to watch out for this because the cycling of freezing and then thawing can certainly lead to cracks in your countertops.
While there’s not a lot you can do to prevent this, we recommend – as we stated above – that you seal your countertops more regularly. Plus, if your countertops are exposed to snowfall you can brush away the snow to further prevent any stains or cracks.

What about Sinks on Your Countertops?

This section depends on if your outdoor living area has a sink and is also based on your overall Winter intensity. Be sure that you close off the water valves and be sure that those lines are drained. You can even remove your faucets and store them indoors.

Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Considerations

Posted on June 25, 2017 by - News, Outdoor Kitchen Construction, Outdoor Kitchen Construction Information, Outdoor Kitchen Countertops, Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas

Custom Granite Outdoor Kitchen Countertops by Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Custom Outdoor Kitchen Countertops - Granite

Custom Outdoor Kitchen Countertops – Granite

When it comes to your elegant outdoor kitchen, countertops are one of your first considerations. Countertops improve the aesthetic appeal of your barbecue Island. Outdoor kitchen countertops are the primary place for food preparation and serving. It’s important to understand how much counter space you’ll need, along with whether you’ll add any features and or components to it. Adding components like a sink or sideburner, or features such as a backsplash are things you must keep in mind. Functionality and durability should be top priorities when building your outdoor kitchen. Looks are important, but not before functionality and durability. It’s extremely important to select a material that will complement the style of your home, along with how you intend to use it.

An outdoor countertop needs to be durable, weather-resistant, and beautiful. Outdoor countertops will be exposed to natural elements such as UV rays, heat, humidity, rain, etc. Therefore, durable and weatherproof outdoor countertop materials are of the utmost importance. Other considerations are material strength and resistance to spills, staining and frequent use.

Three of the best choices for your outdoor kitchen countertops are stone, concrete, and tile. Stone, concrete, and tile are designed to stand up to the outdoor elements and use. It’s always a good idea to check with the manufacturer before installing. The last thing you want to do is install a countertop material, only to find that it’s made for interior use only. We wouldn’t want your beautiful countertop to fade or deteriorate too quickly. Durable and protective materials can be costlier in the initial construction process, but these costs up front will end up saving you in the long run.

If you’re thinking of building a custom outdoor kitchen area and need to speak with a professional, give Elegant Outdoor Kitchens a call today. We’re the premier outdoor kitchen construction company in Southern Florida. Schedule an on-site consultation today!

Call Now (239) 229-9033