Kitchen Countertops

If you have decided to convert the neglected outdoor space in your Toronto home into a luxe entertainment zone with full cooking facilities, then one of the first things you’d consider is a sufficiently large kitchen countertop.

The advantages of having a durable outdoor kitchen countertop goes beyond arranging the delicacies when you are hosting guests. It lets you enjoy the great outdoors and tremendously adds to the value of your home.

But selecting a countertop for your outdoor kitchen can be a daunting task. Which surface material makes a good choice for the outdoors considering that it will be constantly exposed to the weather?

Although, the weather in Toronto is hardly considered to be extreme, you’d still want to invest in a surface material that is durable and resilient.

Here’s our pick of the lot for you to consider.

Granite

Without sounding clichéd, Granite is probably the best choice for an outdoor kitchen countertop. Extremely durable, heat resistant, impervious to scratches, stains and the weather. You cannot ask for more. Contrary to popular notion, it may not even require frequent resealing provided it’s well cared for. Cover it when not in use and protect it from direct exposure to the elements and it will look beautiful for years.

Concrete

Concrete is an extremely durable choice for an outdoor kitchen. It’s available in a variety of colours that resembles natural stone. It’s resistant to heat but does tend to knick as compared to say, Granite. If you expose it directly to sunlight, then the acid stained colouring may start to fade and the counter may look yellow. You can eliminate this problem by opting for lighter tones.

Soapstone

If the cosmetic standpoint doesn’t bother you, then soapstone is one of the most durable choices for an outdoor countertop. It can resist heat, stains and the weather. It is prone to scratches which can easily be repaired. A potential drawback is that it darken due to oil, fingerprints and other liquids unless you seal it regularly.

Slate

Slate can be a good choice provided you can be assured of the quality of the stone you plan to install. Some varieties of slate are extremely durable while others are ‘flimsy’ and get scratched and stained easily. So, unless you have ruled out all the other options, don’t consider Slate.

Marble

Marble may not seem like an ideal choice for the outdoors since it’s prone to etching and staining. But marble countertops with honed surfaces are perfect for the outdoors. The natural aging makes the stone look more attractive as long as you are not hung up on minor stains. Regular cleaning is recommended as always.

Tile

Last but not the least, ceramic tile countertops are the most cost effective choice. It is extremely durable too, provided you can ensure that the grout doesn’t breed bacteria. (Regular cleaning) Also, you must take care to ensure that you do not drop anything heavy on it because tiles can break easily.

With proper care and maintenance, you can choose from any of these durable countertop surfaces for your Toronto outdoor kitchen. It will provide you with years of performance.