Guide To Top Outdoor Counter-tops

Granite: Fits Just About Anywhere

Pros often mentioned granite as the most practical surface for a wide variety of situations. Granite plays well with a variety of styles, fitting in equally well in a modern setting and a farmhouse one; the latter is seen in this inviting space designed by K&D Landscape Management in Chicago.

Pros
  • It is durable and won’t be damaged by heat.
  • When sealed properly, it is resistant to stains, mold and mildew.
  • The colors won’t fade from sun exposure.
Cons
  • Granite can be more expensive than some other options.
Tile: Timeless and Affordable

Tile is another option, although it’s suitable outdoors only in regions with warm weather. 

Pros
  • It is generally more affordable than other options.
  • Tile varieties and styles are numerous; you can find just about any look you want.
  • If you damage a tile, it’s easy to replace it without having to redo the whole surface.
Cons
  • Freezing temperatures can cause the grout to crack.
  • The grout can be prone to staining.
Natural Stone: Durable and Unique

Some varieties of natural stone other than granite can be a great option for your outdoor countertop. 

Pros
  • Natural stone is very durable.
  • No two pieces of stone are exactly alike.
  • It never goes out of style.
Cons
  • Stone countertops need regular refinishing.
  • Stone is porous and can stain easily.
Concrete: Flexible and Customizable

OK, it’s not literally flexible, but one of the big selling points of concrete is that it’s highly customizable. Although concrete is very hard, it will still show some wear and tear. As Douglass puts it, the hairline cracks that sometimes appear can be a feature or a bug: “Some customers like the look it creates; others don’t,” he says. “And if they choose a colored concrete, it may not come out exactly as they expected.” 

Pros
  • It can be formed into virtually any shape you want.
  • It can be tinted to the color you want.
  • Concrete pros can mold impressions into the concrete, such as a dish drain or a decorative design.
Cons
  • It can develop scratches and cracks.
  • Exposure to the sun can cause colors to fade.
Quartz: One to Avoid

Several pros warned us against using quartz outdoors. The color can fade, and it will not be able to handle the moisture and humidity. It will cause it to warp.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crucial Coronavirus Cleaning Tips: How To Keep Your Home Germ-Free During the Pandemic

Image
How long the virus survives—and where it thrives The novel coronavirus can survive on surfaces anywhere from hours to days. The latest information is that it can last 24 hours on cardboard, 48 to 72 hours on plastic, and 48 to 72 hours on stainless steel, says  Dr. Reuben Elovitz , internist and CEO at  Private Health Dallas , who cited a recent study from the  New England Journal of Medicine . The duration also depends on a few other factors, like temperature and whether a surface is prone to holding moisture. “Wooden handles, for example, are more likely to be damp than metal under normal conditions—and damp conditions can enable many infectious agents to thrive,” explains molecular biologist  Dr. Tracey Evans . “ Furthermore, a warm room is more favorable for many pathogens than a cold one.” Regardless of what kinds of temperatures and surfaces you have in your home, there are things you can do to keep these dangerous pathogens at bay. Ditch germs at the door Clean an
Read more

7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard

Image
1. Shade the Sidewalk Consider placing a tree where it will shade the sidewalk to help create a pleasant environment and encourage walking and visiting among neighbors. Trees provide rain and sun protection, and temperature differentials of 5 to 15 degrees are felt when walking on tree-canopied streets. In urban areas trees help mitigate the  heat-island effect  and provide a connection to nature. Most cities require permits for adding trees to a parkway (or hell strip), but permits are not usually required for planting on private property. Sean Papich Landscape Architecture 2. Set the Fence Back Placing a low fence or wall back a few feet from the edge of the sidewalk allows room for planting, and plants provide visual interest for pedestrians. In addition to cheerful  daisies  like these, velvety plants such as  lamb’s ears  ( Stachys byzantina ;   USDA zones 4 to 9;  find your zone ) would work well. June Scott Design 3. Try the Funnel Effect Increasing th
Read more

What’s New in Outdoor Lighting Design

Image
Linear Lighting There’s a trend toward the more extensive integration of lighting with modern hardscape elements. Sleek, minimalist linear step lighting illuminates a path while keeping light fixtures hidden from view. It also enables you to more easily highlight an architectural feature, such as stairs or a freestanding wall.  ZEN Associates, Inc. Laurie Ghielmetti Floating Structures Another trend is placing lights beneath landscape structures, creating the illusion that they are floating-- light is hidden to visually float steps, benches, bridges and other outdoor landscape elements. dSPACE Studio Ltd, AIA BEGA North America Sleek, Modern Fixtures A big trend is to use path lights that look more architectural, rather than the traditional flower or mushroom shapes. Pistils Landscape Design + Build Nightfall Landscape Lighting Low-Voltage Lighting While low-voltage lighting is not necessarily a new concept, man
Read more