How an Outdoor Kitchen Installation Can Transform Your Backyard

With social distancing measures still in place, we might not be able to have the type of summer we are used to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy quality time with family in the comfort of your own backyard. 

This summer, bring your family together with an outdoor kitchen!

So what should you look for when it comes to planning an outdoor kitchen project? 

Material 

When it comes to natural and engineered stone for outdoors, you want to make sure that you select a material that is going to stand up to the elements. 

Dekton and granite are both excellent choices to use in outdoor applications.

Dekton is a porcelain product that is incredibly strong, has great texture, and is available in a wide variety of colours to suit your preference. 

Another great benefit of Dekton is that it is very temperature and UV resistant - making it the perfect choice for your outdoor kitchen project. 

Granite is a natural stone product that is also incredibly durable. 

Granite offers a more organic look than Dekton, because it is a natural stone product. Its natural look and feel helps it blend in with plants, concrete, and water. 

When choosing granite for your outdoor kitchen, a great option would be to have the granite finished with a “leathered” look, as it will help reduce visibility of imperfections through use, such as watermarks, pollen, and dust. 

Like Dekton, granite is very temperature and UV resistant - making it another great choice for your outdoor kitchen project. 

You can view our selection of granite here.

Maintenance

Although Dekton and granite are both very durable, they aren’t invincible. These products can weather the elements and last a long time, but only if maintained and cared for appropriately. 

What you should do 

Cover it

Over time, the sun, rain, and cold can have an affect on your custom outdoor kitchen installation. The best defense against the elements is to cover your surfaces when they are not in use, using a durable material cover (like you’d use on a barbecue), or by having it installed under an awning, or other type of covering. 

Clean it Regularly

Make sure to clean your outdoor kitchen countertop frequently, just as you would your indoor kitchen countertop. 

For both Dekton and granite surfaces, the use of a mild soap with water will usually do the trick for regular routine cleaning and maintenance. For tough stains, the use of a commercial, purpose-built cleaner that you can get from a hardware store will be your best bet. For very, very tough stains, you may need to call the experts.

You can read more about care and maintenance for granite countertops on the Stoneworx Blog.

Check the Seal (Granite)

Although granite products will come with a protective sealer installed, it is still good practice to check the seal annually and consider resealing the surface using widely-available sealers, as needed. 

Identifying damage quickly will help mitigate any long-term damage that the issue could cause.

Things to watch out for

Oil

Oil buildup can lead to stains from continual exposure, as the seal on your surface weakens over time. Be sure to clean your surface with mild soap and water frequently, along with cleaning up any spills immediately, if they occur.

Wax

Wax from candles (including citronella candles that repel bugs and insects) can damage your surface. Be sure to use a plate or tray underneath candles to prevent wax from spilling onto and hardening on your countertop. 

Rust

Rusty objects like gardening tools can damage and stain your outdoor kitchen countertop installation. 

In order to get rid of the rust stain, use baking soda and water to get rid of the rust. You can also use rust removers that are available from hardware stores. Remember: read the bottle to make sure it’s safe to use on your surface! 

Design

Deciding on a design and layout for your outdoor kitchen installation is the most fun part of the process (along with picking your material and colour). 

With an outdoor space, you may have more choice and flexibility in terms of the layout and features for your project. 

Things you can consider for an outdoor kitchen are things like undermounted sinks, garbage openings, built in grills, and even pizza ovens! 

But the design fun doesn’t stop there - and your outdoor natural stone installation doesn’t have to be limited to kitchen-style features. 

Consider a warm and inviting outdoor fireplace where you can relax and unwind with family and friends, or anything else you can come up with! 

We are happy to work in collaboration with designers during the design process in order to provide recommendations that can help the project as it evolves from concept to fabrication.

To get started with your professional outdoor kitchen installation, get in touch with us.