Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Slab Thickness

by Robert Sernowski
(Toronto, Ontario,Canada)

QUESTION:

Hello, I am in Toronto Ontario Canada. IS there any outdoor kitchen countertop design issues with me using 3/4 granite vs 1 1/4 inch granite slab thickness? Thanks.

ANSWER:

No, there isn't any issue. Either size (3/4 in or 2cm - 1 1/4 in or 3cm) is fine to use whether for an indoor or outdoor kitchen design.

The main reason people go with the thicker countertop slab is to get a larger edge profile without laminating the edge, which you do NOT want to do outside.... laminate the edge that is (see below).

So, go with a standard edge on a 1 1/4 (3cm) slab or if you are fine with a thin edge profile, then go with the 3/4.... which will be cheaper!

Good Luck,
Ryan

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Selecting Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Surface Finish

QUESTION:

I am installing a Stoney Creek Granite top on my outdoor kitchen (in New England); what is the best surface finish type - polished, honed, or flamed?

ANSWER:

For the most part the choice of surface finish on granite outdoor kitchen countertops is a matter of personal preference, but here's a few considerations:

A flamed surface is not a great choice for a countertop simply because it is a rough surface that will be much harder to keep clean. A great look for floors and walls though.

A honed surface is fine, but the color won't be as intense. However, it can still look stunning and many like a honed surface finish. Other than that there's not a significant difference in performance.

I'd go with a polished surface. Very easy to keep clean and polishing will bring out the color and pattern more than any other finish type.

Polished granite countertop for an outdoor kitchen design is certainly the most common. A honed finish is sometimes considered with a marble countertop for maintenance reasons (to control etching) but this is not an issue with granite.

Good Luck!

Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Edges

by Melanie
(California)

QUESTION:

I was told that the epoxy holding bullnose countertop edges will not hold up for outdoor kitchens and could loosen its hold over time. Is this a problem that you've run into before?

ANSWER:

You were told correctly. The epoxy used to laminate countertop edges for an indoor or outdoor kitchen will often degrade leading to your edge coming apart. Indoors it will be fine, but UV rays will destroy the epoxy overtime outside.

Laminating countertop edges (adding a strip under the granite countertop slab) is often done to achieve a larger edge profile, which is fine indoors, but should not be done for outdoor kitchen countertops.

You can still have a bullnose edge cut on the countertop slab without laminating.

And if you go with a 3cm slab (vs. a 2cm) you'll get that thick edge profile, but the extra cost of the thicker slab may not be worth it to you just for the edge... although that is typically the main reason to install 3cm granite countertops.

Custom Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Design

by Jon Woods
(Yakima, WA)

QUESTION:

I have outdoor kitchen plans for a countertop and bar area. I would like to impregnate some sand dollars into the counter top then seal it with an epoxy do you have any ideas?

Direct sunlight summer average temp 92 degrees all the seasons.

ANSWER:

It is possible to embed objects in concrete countertops.

You'll want to hire a concrete countertop craftsman experienced with placing objects in the countertop though.

One drawback of concrete countertops for outdoor kitchens is that any coloring you add to the concrete will likely fade and turn yellowish with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Embedding objects in granite or other surfaces really isn't practical. You could possibly cut out shallow seats for the sand dollars so they sit flush with the granite surface and then add a clear epoxy, but in time these would likely deteriorate and you'd be left with a nice granite countertop ruined with a bunch of indents.

Indoors you could make a wood box that sand dollars, shells, etc. could sit in and cover it with a thick glass. This would not likely work too well outside unless you could seal all the joints really well.