With all the factors that go into designing a fully functional backyard space… Few features are so hotly contested as the countertops on an outdoor kitchen.
Should you go natural or manmade?
Is it going to stain easily?
What about scratches?
And that’s not even getting into the limitless expanse of finish options… Which could become a full-length article in and of themselves.
But for the moment, your focus is honed in on outdoor quartz countertops.
In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to decide if quartz tops are right for you. (Or not!)
As a company that manufactures concrete countertops (and works closely with a granite fabricator) for our outdoor kitchens… We have some insider perspectives to weigh in on the issue.
So with all that said… Let’s get started.
Quick Links:
- The Homeowner’s Guide to Quartz Countertops
- O3 Impressive Functionality Benefits of Quartz Tops
- …And 3 Disappointing Downsides
- Are Quartz Countertops Good for Outdoors? We Give Our Verdict
- Our Top 3 Suggestions for Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
- The Most Luxurious Outdoor Kitchen to Pair with Your Countertops
Are Quartz Countertops Pure Quartz?
First things first… Let’s get this subject crystal clear (pun intended).
If you’re not super familiar with quartz countertops… It may be assumed that they’re mined from slabs of quartz. (Like a large-scale version of the quartz points you find at your local gem store or mineral museum.)
That’s not what a quartz countertop is, though!
A slab of pure, unadulterated quartz used for a countertop is actually known as quartzite. Confusing, we know.
When you hear someone talking about a quartz countertop… What they’re actually talking about is a manufactured product.
Crushed quartz is mixed with resins, polymers, and pigments in order to create a countertop surface.
Depending on the brand you choose to work with… You can expect to see 90% – 95% crushed quartz used in the formulation.
All in all, there’s not much other “foreign material” in there. But as you’ll see… This makes a huge impact on quartz tops for outdoor use.
For now, let’s start with the upsides.
Advantages of Outdoor Quartz Countertops
1. They are Extremely Stain Resistant
Just like how you despise dealing with grass and coffee stains in your laundry… Same goes with getting your lustrous, brand-new countertop stained.
Is there really anything more frustrating?
Thankfully, quartz countertops are among the most stain resistant surfaces out there.
Quartz countertops are nonporous… Which means they don’t absorb water when they come in contact with it.
Just grab a dish towel or soapy water… Sop it up… And move on with your day, without a worry of permanently staining your countertop.
2. They’re Also Highly Chip & Scratch Resistant
On top of that… Quartz is a hardy mineral with great accessibility.
Scoring a 7/10 on the Mohs hardness scale... Even scraping a steel nail (scored at 6.5) across a quartz top won’t leave a scratch, literally.
So to say that quartz countertops give you peace of mind in this area is an understatement!
You can slice and dice with abandon on your quartz tops… Worry-free about the thought of accidentally marring your countertops with a stray knife cut.
3. And Super Low Maintenance
And to “top” it all off… Quartz outdoor countertops couldn’t be easier to maintain.
Why is this?
Due to the production process and natural properties of quartz… These countertops generally don’t need to be resealed.
That beautiful, polished finish you see is set for life!
And although these are some pretty appealing benefits of quartz… We do have some concerning disadvantages to share.
Drawbacks of Outdoor Quartz Countertops
Unfortunately, as with anything… It’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
There are some significant drawbacks when it comes to quartz countertops. So let’s not further delay… And get right into it
1. UV Protection is a Pitfall
When it comes to interior kitchen design… UV generally isn’t a consideration for quartz countertop installation.
Direct sunlight gets filtered through your windows… Which doesn’t leave much potential for UV damage.
However… You’re planning to install outdoor kitchen quartz countertops.
Therefore, the question of UV resistance becomes far more important.
Your outdoor kitchen countertops will be getting hit with direct sunlight day in… And day out.
Of course, you’re well-aware of the bleaching abilities of the sun.
Which leads us to the question… “How does quartz hold up to UV rays?”
Well… Not great.
Quartz is one of the worst offenders when it comes to UV related discoloration.
Lighter shades tend to yellow in the sun… And darker shades get lighter from the constant exposure.
One way to combat this is to add a shade structure to your outdoor kitchen space. But when there’s so many other viable options that don’t carry this risk… Is it really worth the extra trouble?
2. Be Careful with Heat!
And speaking of extra trouble… They might not scratch easily, but you can’t use your quartz tops with reckless abandon.
Why?
Heat is a weak point.
Due to the fact that quartz countertops are a mixture of crushed quartz, resins, and other polymers… These “additives” are not particularly heat resistant.
So if you take a pot right off your side burner and put it directly on the countertop… That high heat can weaken the bond that’s holding your countertop together.
Yikes.
Of course, the easy solution is to always make sure you use a trivet… But it’s also nice to have that peace of mind that you don’t need to use a trivet.
Not to mention… It does raise additional concern if you live in a hot climate with lots of brilliant sunlight. Is that alone causing your countertop to weaken, day after day?
Which leads us to our final point.
3. They Aren’t 100% Natural
This may be the weakest point of the bunch… But it’s worth mentioning for those who are highly material conscious.
As we’ve established, quartz countertops aren’t 100% natural. They’re not mined from a pure slab of mineral… Which can be a turn-off for a couple reasons.
For one… They won’t have that unique, one-of-a-kind look.
Some people may prefer the standardized finish that a quartz countertop will provide. But if you appreciate the distinctive look of natural stone… This will come to be a bit of a disappointment.
Furthermore, you just might not love the idea of having “filler” ingredients in your countertop.
All that said, let’s get to the million dollar question.
So... Should You Use Quartz for Outdoor Kitchen Countertops?
When the chips are down… Should you use quartz for your outdoor kitchen countertops?
For us, the answer is a resounding no.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of quartz (or quartzite) countertops are simply not suitable for outdoor use.
Are the benefits great? Yes! However… There are plenty of better material choices that don’t come with the same pitfalls as quartz.
We also have some personal experience with customers using quartzite tops… And they ended up breaking! Obviously, that’s an outdoor kitchen nightmare you want to avoid.
So it’s settled, then. We’re going to steer clear of quartz, but… What are your other options?
Your 3 Best Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Options
Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent countertop materials available in lieu of quartz.
And in fact… The first potential suggestion is made from quartz. (It’s not at all like the quartz we don’t recommend!)
If You’re Dead-Set on Quartz
If you’re dead-set on quartz tops and nothing else will do… There actually is a quartz countertop brand worth looking into.
Caesarstone pioneered quartz countertops… And to date, they’re one of the only companies that’s been able to temper some of the inherent disadvantages with this material.
Their outdoor-rated line in particular is what we’re referring to here.
It’s UV resistant, which takes care of the discoloration issue… And they’ve also been rigorously tested to withstand the outdoor environment.
They’re built for outdoor temperatures ranging from -13°F to 122°F… Which is a comfortable range for most of the country. (Keep it out of Death Valley, though!)
That said, overall heat resistance is still a downside for Caesarstone. It’s a higher tolerance than other brands, but if you’ve got a hot pot… You’ll still want to use a trivet, just in case.
If You Like the Natural Look
What if you’re all about the natural look?
That’s when it’s time to turn your attention to the classics. There’s an abundance of pure stone options available. Soapstone, marble, granite…
But of these, the one we find rises above the rest is granite.
Compared to other natural countertop options… Granite is among the most dense and resilient stones out there.
The hardness of granite ranges from 6-7/10 on the Mohs scale depending on who you ask… Keeping it right in line with the hardness of quartz.
As a result, granite is highly scratch resistant. And being a nonporous material… You also won’t have to fret about stains from a spilled glass of wine.
And better yet? Heat resistance is not a problem, here! Feel free to fill up the countertop with hot pots and plates without hesitation. (It feels wrong, but it’s so right!)
But if you’re going for a more modern, industrial look…
If You Like the Industrial Look
Concrete countertops might be more your style.
Depending on the type of concrete you get… They’re just as durable as granite and quartz.
Most concrete will sit somewhere between 5-7/10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
If your concrete is a little softer… You’ll want to be more careful. A stray knife cut could scratch the surface!
Another slight ding on concrete is that it’s more porous than granite or quartz… Making it less resistant to staining as well.
Thankfully, this effect can be well-mitigated! Once every year or two, seal your concrete tops with a food safe sealer.
This will make your concrete tops more hydrophobic… And thus, more resistant to stains.
Beyond this, concrete is plenty hardy to the outdoor environment. There’s a reason it’s used for foundations, sidewalks, and all manner of other industrial structures, after all!
It handles freeze thaw cycles like a champ… And heat concerns will be a non-issue.
Plus, you get that distressed, industrial look… Which is a shoo-in for modern outdoor kitchen designs.
Speaking of the outdoor kitchen… It might be time to wrap up with a friendly suggestion.
The Most Impressive Outdoor Kitchen to Pair with Your Countertops
Your outdoor countertops are nothing without a beautiful outdoor kitchen to pair it with.
Typically, you’ll have already decided on your island structure before choosing countertops. But in case you’re not 100% sold… Allow us to share a recommendation with you.
You want an outdoor kitchen that’s made to last the long haul, right? That’s why you’ve been spending all this time researching quartz countertops.
And if you’re after the longest-lasting BBQ island on the market… It’s got to be an RTA outdoor kitchen, or bust.
Why are we so confident?
A couple reasons.
For one, every RTA outdoor kitchen is made with 100 year rated high performance concrete.
Which means your outdoor kitchen will actually last for generations.
No matter the season of life you’re in, or the season outside… Your RTA outdoor kitchen will persist, year after year.
But these aren’t just empty words. We put our money where our mouth is with a lifetime structural warranty.
So rest assured… You’re covered from all angles.
Not to mention, RTA is a single-source solution. We provide your selected premium appliances from Coyote Outdoor Living… And of course, your choice of high-quality concrete or granite countertops.
Curious about how to get started on transforming your outdoor space?
We have a free 3D design tool and visualizer that’s the perfect place to start. You can design your dream outdoor kitchen to a T… And begin the process of bringing your outdoor living space to life.
So start designing… And we’ll look forward to building your DIY outdoor kitchen!
FAQ
While you can use quartz countertops outdoors… It doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Most retailers manufacture quartz tops that are not suitable for outdoor use. If you can’t live without quartz… Caesarstone makes outdoor rated quartz countertops for outdoor kitchens.
Caesarstone has an outdoor-rated line of quartz countertops that is suitable for outdoor use.
Quartz is “safe” to use in the sense that your health won’t be endangered by using them… But they aren’t the best choice for outdoor use, regardless. They’re generally manufactured for interior designs… And as a result, aren’t made to withstand the rigors of the outdoor environment. They discolor with constant UV exposure, and are sensitive to heat… Which is not a good combo for an outdoor countertop!
Neither quartz nor marble are ideal materials for outdoor countertops. Quartz discolors under the sun… And marble is a soft material that scratches easily.
