Natural stone works well for outdoor projects because it endures a wide range of temperatures including freeze/thaw conditions.
The best materials for outdoor countertops include:
- Granite: It’s durable, beautiful, comes in a variety of hues and often contains flecks of sparkly quartz. Choose the same granite style for your indoor and outdoor kitchens for a luxury look. Even exposed to the elements, granite won’t fade or etch.
- Quartzite: Natural quartzite is also an excellent outdoor countertop material. Much like granite it’s tough, hard and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. Quartz, an engineered stone, is not recommended for outdoor use as the resin and colorants can discolor with UV exposure.
- Solid Surface: Solid surface has nonporous (won’t absorb moisture), resistant to sunlight and pollutants, and withstands freeze-thaw cycles. Easy to clean and hard to stain, solid surface doesn’t quite have the appeal of natural stone but it it has the advantage of being available in practically any color or texture
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Caring for your outdoor granite countertops in winter
Many people ask if granite will crack in cold weather. A severe freeze-thaw cycle can lead to cracks in an outdoor granite countertop.
For this reason, it’s important to seal your outdoor stone countertops regularly to prevent moisture getting in.
Many people cover their outdoor kitchen fixtures to protect the sealant and the countertop from snow and ice. If your outdoor kitchen has a sink you should also drain and close off the pipes before winter.
Best Sealant for Outdoor Granite
Granite Plus recommends and uses InvisaBLOCK on newly installed granite countertops. InvisaBLOCK is an industry-leading sealant and is used widely in the stone fabrication industry.
InvisaBLOCK sealant creates an invisible barrier above and below the surface for maximum stain protection. InvisaBLOCK does not change the appearance of your stone and comes with a 15 year warranty.
Can you use marble outside?
Weather-resistant natural stone stays beautiful with minimal upkeep.
Most types of marble used for countertops work better indoors than out.
Outdoor granite countertop installation in Milwaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin & surrounding areas
Granite Plus is southeast Wisconsin’s leading supplier of granite, marble, quartz and other natural stones for outdoor & indoor use. We have the lowest prices on custom fabricated stone, meeting the needs of everyday homeowners and small business owners throughout the greater Milwaukee area.
Contact our experienced designers and fabricators to discuss the best type of stone for what you have in mind. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you choose the right material for your outdoor kitchen or patio.