Good material for outdoor countertop

Now that the new patio roof is done, it's time for a bar... of sorts.

In the picture below, I want to put a couple boards across and a bar-height (40-42") counter with a couple barstools.  You'll see where I want it in red.  Seeing as how this is PA and temps range from sub-zero in the winter to 90+ in the summer, rain, snow, etc, what might be a good material for this?  The plan is a couple 2x4 or 2x6 PT boards (leg space permitting) across either side between the 4x4 posts, then deck with 1-foot cuts of 5/4 T&G deckboards, then lay an [insert countertop material] on top of that.  Just a place where guests can sit for a drink or a place to set out snacks while entertaining.

I'm thinking something along the lines of quartz or solid surface.  I think granite would absorb moisture and the extreme temps would crack it.  I thought about quartz, but not sure how the years of UV would treat it.  I don't know anything about solid surface stuff.  I'm assuming that Corian is one brand name of solid surface?  I have a 3.5" slab of live-edge walnut, but I can't imagine coating it well enough that it would stand up to the elements.  It is also about 1 year away from being dry.  Also thought about tile glued down with silicone, but I think the swelling/shrinking of the wood might not be a steady enough substrate and any grout I try to use would be toast in a year.

It won't be very deep; maybe 16-18".... enough to visually hide the deckboards under it, but not so big that the edges of the counter are fragile.  Width is just shy of 6'.

Pretty much any material is on the table (pun intended).  Hit me with some ideas.  UV and sun is a small concern, but the back yard is pretty well shaded.  It likely gets 4 hours of sun in the summer.  In case it matters, the primary palette is grays and blacks.  Once the PT roof frame dries and settles in, I'll likely stain it gray.

Aaaand, GO

What about concrete?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7mYB6x68DY

I don't like his inlay and it might be sketchy with out reinforcement, but it's hard to argue with the cost, speed, and overall look when done.

I like that idea. Or if you know anybody in the home renovation or counter top business, it can't hurt to ask them if they have any scrap solid surface countertops for cheap/free.

In reply to dculberson (Forum Supporter) :

Concrete was the first thing that popped into my head as well. It'll be heavy, so Curtis may need to rethink the support system & reinforcement will be a necessity.

How about urethane treated/sealed wood? Most of the outdoor restaurants in FL use this style. AND how about doing it to an old piece of bowling alley? Where, you ask, would I find that>? Why on my sister's back porch near DC. She got a 10'x4' section a few years ago and never did anything with it. The whole section isn't in as good of shape anymore but there s probably enough for you to build what you want.

LMK if you want pictures and I'll get them to you.

I'm interested, Hobie.  That would carry my maple theme from inside to the outside.  No worries about condition.  I have a planer and a sander.

I'll have to look into the urethane sealing.  I have looked into epoxy and none of them I found were good at outdoor use.  Most say indoor only.

secretariata (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to dculberson (Forum Supporter) :

Concrete was the first thing that popped into my head as well. It'll be heavy, so Curtis may need to rethink the support system & reinforcement will be a necessity.

I can do 45-degree 4x4 in between the cross "joists," but legroom might be an issue.  I'm sure it would be fine without them... until one of my friends thinks it would be cool to sit on it.

dculberson (Forum Supporter) said:

What about concrete?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7mYB6x68DY

I don't like his inlay and it might be sketchy with out reinforcement, but it's hard to argue with the cost, speed, and overall look when done.

That tutorial makes it look super easy.  Thanks

Just did a huge outdoor kitchen that had about 50 linear feet of granite countertop.  It looked a little hokey if you ask me.  A nice colored cement would have looked better.  Everything else was constructed out of concrete paver style blocks, so it looked a little institutional.  Just a sea of grey block and off white granite.  

I suspect a polished and sealed granite slab would be fine.  

I am interested to hear the thoughts here, as I have some big chunks of quartz countertop that came out of a kitchen remodel and a plan to use them. Maybe.

Stainless steel sheet over a wooden base? Bend the sides down, TIG the edges, grind smooth and then brush the surface to your liking. Granite sells for $20-30/sq-ft, so stainless should be cheaper.

Lots to think about.  I'm liking the concrete idea since it is pretty versatile.  I might incorporate a few ideas, but I think the next step is to pick a style for my backyard decor.  I'm torn between three:  Mexican, New Orleans, and Japanese.  I kinda have a blank slate right now.

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

Stainless steel sheet over a wooden base? Bend the sides down, TIG the edges, grind smooth and then brush the surface to your liking. Granite sells for $20-30/sq-ft, so stainless should be cheaper.

Heck, I think 1/4" aluminum plate is cheaper than Granite these days.

what Lotusseven7 said:

Stainless steel.

Bit of an off the wall suggestion, but how about welding (or bolting) up a framework and dropping in 18x18 floor tiles?  Durable, cheap-ish, and if they do get broken or worn, really easy to swap out.

I was thinking tile overall, some sort of mosaic. 

Quartz or granite.  Look up local showrooms and ask if they sell remnants.  I've used remnants twice.  Most are full length 8' and half width.

Very interested as I have just spent a couple weeks roofing my deck and looking to do just the same thing. I was considering a sheet of copper or a live edge slab of fir or cedar.

tr8todd said:

Just did a huge outdoor kitchen that had about 50 linear feet of granite countertop.  It looked a little hokey if you ask me.  A nice colored cement would have looked better.  Everything else was constructed out of concrete paver style blocks, so it looked a little institutional.  Just a sea of grey block and off white granite.  

Sounds more like a design failure than a problem with the matherial! Also, that's some seriously expensive countertop to put on pavers. Someone had an oddball vision. I'm assuming you were the contractor and not the client. 

OHSCrifle said:

I suspect a polished and sealed granite slab would be fine.  

I mean, there are all those churches in Europe, and granite is actually a rock...

A walk through at ReStore Habitat may reveal something that is interesting, can be repurposed, and a good price. There is a store in Harrisburg.

In my outdoor kitchen the countertop was concrete covered with glass tiles.  Concrete block with concrete board and stucco to match house.  Do I have any pics...not on this computer, but look Zillow still has my old listing pics.   Can't really see the countertop though.   Anyone notice a very custom detail here...  :)

While I did make the chair cushions, that isn't it..

Oooh, I can post a picture of my custom fireplace!  Haven't seen that in a while, it was done in glass tiles also, same as countertop, but different color.

Yeah when I was in the counter top business were installed a ton of granite outdoors.  I wouldn't worry about it not holding up.  But I like the concrete idea too. 

Granite works fine outdoors. I made two outdoor set-ups. Ours here in PA is 6 years old and the FL one is 4 years old and both are great. I went to the local granite place and bought their remnant/drop pieces for 1/2 price. I gave them the exact dimensions, where the edge profiles needed to be and the size of the sink cut-out/template. I picked everything up and installed it myself, so they saved the $$$ for coming out to do the measuring and install. I had a working relationship with the shop, so that helped. They usually scrap anything under 2'x2', so both units worked out great.