How to Choose the Best Outdoor Countertop Materials

Choosing the perfect outdoor countertops for your space can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to imagine vibrant gatherings, delicious meals cooked al fresco, or a serene spot for morning coffee — but the sheer number of material options and considerations can make the selection process daunting. 

Take a deep breath, and relax. We’re about to make your outdoor countertop material selection process simple. 

Allied Outdoor Solutions designs and constructs exceptional outdoor kitchens, patios, and pool decks, transforming backyards into gorgeous outdoor living spaces. We used our experience to create an expert guide to selecting the ideal outdoor countertop materials for your specific needs.

This article details the essential steps for selecting the best outdoor countertop materials. We explore critical factors like location, purpose, necessary protection, and desired style, then delve into specific material options like granite, quartzite, marble, concrete,

Why Trust Our Outdoor Countertops Advice?

Since 2009, Allied Outdoor Solutions has provided thoughtful, custom outdoor design-build services to over 25,000 Texas homeowners. We’ve installed tens of thousands of durable, stylish outdoor countertops in that time.

Our expert contractors understand the innate strengths and weaknesses of a diverse array of outdoor countertop materials, and how they succeed (or fall short) in various climates, locations and use cases.

5 Steps to Smart Outdoor Countertop Material Selection

We asked our design-build experts to create a thoughtful, easy-to-follow guide to selecting the best material for your outdoor countertops. These are the 5 simple steps in your process:

1. Location: What type of outdoor space are your countertops meant for?
2. Purpose: How are you going to use your outdoor countertops?
3. Protection: What will your outdoor countertops be exposed to (heat, moisture, heavy weight, etc?) What should an ideal material protect against?
4. Style: What colors, looks and aesthetics do you love in a countertop material?
5. Selection: Use the answers to the previous 4 steps to make a smart outdoor countertop material selection!

Each step builds upon the last, guiding you toward a durable, functional, and beautiful outdoor countertop solution.

Location: The Placement of Your Outdoor Countertops

Your outdoor countertop's location dictates its exposure to the elements, and therefore the material's necessary properties. Consider the specific environment your countertops will inhabit.

Are Your Countertops Covered or Uncovered?

We start with this question because it drastically impacts countertop material selection. 

Covered countertops under a patio cover or shade structure face less intense direct sunlight and precipitation, offering a broader range of material options. 

Uncovered countertops demand materials engineered for full exposure to all weather conditions, including intense UV rays, freezing temperatures, and heavy rain or snow.

Patio

Countertops on a patio experience varying degrees of exposure — do you have a covered or open-air structure?

Past the “cover or no cover” question, patio countertops serve a wide variety of purposes. Consider materials that withstand heavy use and provide sturdy, weight-bearing surfaces.

Pergola

Pergolas offer partial shade, filtering sunlight and light rain. Countertops under a pergola receive some protection but still encounter significant weather elements. Consider materials that resist UV degradation and moderate moisture.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are high-traffic zones, requiring countertops that endure cooking spills, heat from grills, and potential impacts. Consider materials that offer excellent durability and ease of cleaning, especially if cooking activities are frequent.

Outdoor Bar

Outdoor bars often host beverages and light snacks. Countertops here need to resist spills, condensation, and general wear from frequent use. Consider materials that are easy to wipe clean and maintain their appearance.

Purpose: The Intended Use of Your Outdoor Countertops

The intended use of your outdoor countertops directly influences the best material choice. Define how you plan to interact with your new outdoor surface.

Serving

Countertops primarily for serving require a surface that is easy to clean and stain-resistant. Consider materials that withstand spills from food and beverages without permanent damage or discoloration. Durability for light impact is also a benefit.

Seating

If your countertops double as a bar or seating area, they must offer comfort and resistance to scratches from plates or glasses. Consider materials with a smooth, non-abrasive surface for comfortable interaction and frequent contact.

Cooking and Food Preparation

For serious outdoor chefs, countertops for cooking and food preparation demand high performance. You need a surface that resists heat from hot pans, withstands knife marks, and allows for easy sanitation. Consider materials known for their density, heat resistance, and non-porous nature.

Protection: The Innate Properties of Your Outdoor Countertops

Outdoor countertops face unique environmental challenges depending where you live. A material that succeeds in high heat may fall short during freeze-thaw events.

Understanding what your countertops need protection from ensures you choose a material that performs reliably over time.

Direct Sunlight

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight causes fading, discoloration, and material degradation in less resilient surfaces. Select materials with high UV resistance to maintain their aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

Heat

Outdoor kitchens generate significant heat from grills, burners, and hot serving dishes. Your countertops must withstand direct heat exposure without cracking, scorching, or losing their finish. Select materials with excellent thermal resistance.

Moisture

Rain, humidity, and spills are constant threats to outdoor countertops. Materials must resist water absorption to prevent staining, mold growth, and structural damage from freezing and thawing cycles. Select materials that create a non-porous surface when properly sealed.

Weight and Pressure

Outdoor countertops support grills, appliances, and heavy serving dishes. They must withstand significant weight and pressure without cracking or chipping. Select materials with high compressive strength and impact resistance.

Style: The Aesthetics of Your Outdoor Countertops

Beyond functionality, your outdoor countertops contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living space. Consider the visual elements that create your desired ambiance.

Color

The color of your countertop material sets the tone for your outdoor area. Light colors reflect heat and make a space feel larger, while dark colors absorb heat and create a more intimate feel. 

Consider how the color complements your existing outdoor decor and landscaping.

Texture

Texture adds depth and character. A smooth, polished surface offers a sleek, modern look, while a honed or leathered finish provides a more natural, tactile feel. 

Consider textured surfaces for outdoor kitchen islands and bar islands — less spilled drinks and dropped plates.

Pattern

Stone materials boast unique veining and patterns, adding organic beauty and individuality to your countertops. Concrete offers customizability in terms of embedded aggregates and finishes, allowing for unique visual interest. 

Consider whether you prefer a uniform look or a dynamic, natural pattern.

Selection: Choose Your Ideal Outdoor Countertop Material

Once you've considered your location, purpose, protection needs, and desired style, you're ready to explore specific material options. Each material offers distinct advantages and disadvantages for outdoor use.

Let’s examine 5 popular, generally successful outdoor countertop materials. We’ll analyze, compare and contrast them in 5 categories:

1. Aesthetic value
2. Heat resistance
3. Moisture resistance
4. Pressure resistance
5. Sealing and maintenance

Granite

Granite is a highly popular and durable natural stone choice for outdoor countertops. It exhibits excellent resistance to scratches, heat, and moisture when properly sealed. Its natural variations in color and pattern ensure each countertop is unique.

Key design considerations: 

• Aesthetic Value: Granite offers a vast array of natural patterns, specks, and veins in diverse color palettes, from light grays and whites to deep blacks, greens, and reds. Each slab presents a unique, sophisticated look, integrating seamlessly with outdoor designs from rustic to contemporary.
• Heat Resistance: Granite boasts excellent heat resistance. You can place hot pots and pans directly on its surface without concern for scorching or damage.
• Moisture Resistance: When properly sealed, granite exhibits strong moisture resistance. Its low porosity helps prevent water absorption, making it resilient against rain and spills. Unsealed or improperly sealed granite can absorb liquids, leading to stains.
• Pressure Resistance: Granite is a very hard and dense material. It resists scratches, chips, and impacts remarkably well, making it highly durable for busy outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.
• Sealing & Maintenance: Granite requires periodic sealing, typically annually, to maintain its stain and moisture resistance. Routine cleaning involves mild soap and water. Promptly wipe up spills to prevent etching or staining.

Quartzite

Quartzite offers the beauty of marble with the durability of granite. It is extremely hard and resistant to scratches, heat, and UV rays, making it an excellent outdoor option.

Key design considerations: 

• Aesthetic Value: Quartzite often resembles marble with its elegant veining and soft color tones, including whites, grays, and sometimes blues or greens. It provides a luxurious, high-end appearance with the added benefit of superior durability.
• Heat Resistance: Quartzite demonstrates strong heat resistance. It withstands high temperatures from grills and hot cookware without damage, maintaining its integrity.
• Moisture Resistance: Quartzite is very dense and generally less porous than granite or marble, offering excellent moisture resistance. Its low absorption rate minimizes the risk of staining and issues from freeze-thaw cycles.
• Pressure Resistance: As one of the hardest natural stones, quartzite exhibits outstanding resistance to scratches, impacts, and heavy pressure. It proves highly resilient in active environments like outdoor bars and kitchens.
• Sealing & Maintenance: While less porous than granite, quartzite still benefits from periodic sealing to enhance stain resistance. Routine cleaning is straightforward with mild soap and water.

Marble

Marble delivers superior elegance and classic beauty to any space. While stunning, its use for outdoor countertops requires careful consideration due to its soft and porous nature.

Key design considerations: 

• Aesthetic Value: Marble exudes timeless elegance with its classic veining and luxurious feel. It comes in a range of sophisticated colors, predominantly whites, grays, and creams, offering a high level of refinement for outdoor spaces.
• Heat Resistance: Marble offers good heat resistance, handling hot items without cracking. Extreme, prolonged heat occasionally causes thermal shock.
• Moisture Resistance: Marble is inherently porous and highly susceptible to moisture absorption and staining, especially from acidic liquids like wine. In regions with freezing temperatures, absorbed moisture leads to cracking or spalling during freeze-thaw cycles.
• Pressure Resistance: Marble is softer than granite and quartzite, making it more prone to scratches, etching, and chipping from impacts. It demands more careful handling and protection in high-use areas.
• Sealing & Maintenance: Marble requires frequent sealing (every 6-12 months) to protect against stains and etching. Prompt cleanup of spills is critical. Regular cleaning with pH-neutral stone cleaners helps preserve its appearance.

Concrete

Concrete offers immense versatility in terms of color, shape, and finish, creating one-of-a-kind outdoor countertops. Modified concrete further enhances durability and resistance.

Key design considerations: 

• Aesthetic Value: Concrete offers excellent design versatility. It can be cast into custom shapes, stained in virtually any color, and finished with various textures, from polished and smooth to rough and exposed aggregate.
• Heat Resistance: Concrete possesses good heat resistance. It withstands high temperatures from grills and hot objects without burning or structural damage. However, extreme thermal shock will cause cracking.
• Moisture Resistance: Unsealed concrete is very porous and readily absorbs moisture, leading to staining, mildew, and potential cracking from freeze-thaw cycles. Proper sealing is critical for outdoor use. All our concrete countertops are sealed.
• Pressure Resistance: Concrete is a highly durable and strong material, capable of withstanding heavy weight and significant pressure. It offers excellent resistance to impacts and general wear.
• Sealing & Maintenance: Concrete requires regular resealing to ensure protection against stains, moisture, and color fading — usually once per year. Routine cleaning involves mild soap and water. Acidic cleaners can etch the surface.

Lueders Limestone

This dimensional cut limestone from Lueders, Texas, is renowned for its increased density. Its natural, earthy tones integrate seamlessly with various outdoor designs.

Key design considerations: 

• Aesthetic Value: Lueders Limestone is quarried in Texas. It presents natural, earthy tones ranging from light beige and buff to subtle grays and charcoal. Its consistent texture and natural variations create a warm, inviting, and sophisticated aesthetic.
• Heat Resistance: Lueders Limestone handles high temperatures well. Its natural composition allows it to withstand heat from outdoor cooking elements without significant damage.
• Moisture Resistance: Lueders Limestone offers good resistance to moisture absorption due to its increased density. While denser than other limestones, sealing is advisable to enhance stain and moisture resistance, especially in humid or freezing climates.
• Pressure Resistance: Lueders Limestone is a very dense and durable natural stone. It exhibits strong resistance to weathering, wear, and impacts, making it a reliable choice for outdoor countertops that endure daily use.
• Sealing & Maintenance: Lueders Limestone's density offers inherent resilience, but sealing is advisable to boost its stain and moisture resistance in high-use areas. Routine cleaning with mild soap and water keeps its appearance pristine.

Outdoor Countertop Material Comparison Chart

Here’s a helpful comparison chart of the 5 outdoor countertop material options we’ve reviewed. Each is rated in comparison to the other options in terms of heat, moisture and pressure resistance, as well as overall aesthetic value.

Use this chart to consider each material’s effectiveness in your outdoor space:

The Best Outdoor Countertops For Your Lifestyle

Selecting the ideal outdoor countertop material requires thoughtful consideration of its location within your outdoor space, its intended use, exposure to local climate conditions, and your preferred aesthetic style.

We’ve helped over 25,000 Texas homeowners transform their backyards into elevated, custom outdoor living spaces with thoughtful designs and quality craftsmanship. Our experience with a diverse variety of outdoor countertop materials makes Allied Outdoor Solutions your premier partner for Texas outdoor living.

Live in Texas? Schedule a free consultation — let’s talk about the best countertop material for your outdoor kitchen, grill, bar, patio or pergola space.