Summertime is officially here and that means backyard barbecues and outdoor fun! If you’re having family and friends over, you probably want your outdoor space looking fresh and that includes updating your outdoor kitchen or maybe building one. Just like an indoor kitchen, the right countertops can truly bring an outdoor kitchen to life. The good news is there are many options for outdoor countertops. The only bad news is you may have a hard time deciding on which beautiful option to go with!

Let’s start with granite, a countertop material you can’t go wrong with! From weather to heavy duty appliances, granite can handle it all. The beautiful stone is low-maintenance and comes in a wide range of beautiful colors. Granite is also one of the strongest stones in the world, making it exceptionally durable. Depending on the density, you may want to seal your granite counter tops to prevent the color from fading, but overall, this is an easy process. HGTV says look for an option that doesn’t have a lot of veining as heavily veined stones can have a negative effect from sunlight.

Indoor, quartz is one of the most popular countertops and quartzite, the non-engineered version, is a great option for outdoor countertops. This beautiful stone like granite, comes in a variety of colors, but is even stronger than granite. Quartzite will usually cost more than granite but also worth it for its durability.

Remember that durability should always come first, before looks, when it comes to picking your perfect outdoor countertops. You want something that’s going to last many years so you and your loved ones can have a comfortable outdoor space to enjoy.