The earthy beauty and subtle coloring of natural stone is certainly an excellent option for any outdoor area, and can be incorporated into outdoor kitchens in a number of ways. Natural stone features have a tendency to exude warmth and comfort with their rich textures, and can totally transform a Laconia, NH, outdoor kitchen with its intricate detail and visual interest. Here’s how you can incorporate natural stone into your outdoor kitchen with the help of Northern Lights Landscape Contractors:
Countertops
One of the reasons natural stone is so popular as a material for both indoor and outdoor kitchens, apart from its high level of detail and vibrant patterning, is its hygiene factor. Dense natural stone like granite and soapstone have an extremely low porosity, meaning that they do not absorb liquids. This means they can be easily cleaned and so do not harbor bacteria. This also means that dense stone countertops are stain resistant and durable. Different types of natural stone also offer a slightly different feel when polished. Soapstone, for example, has a soft, silky feel, whereas granite has a feel more similar to glass.
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Coping
Outdoor kitchens require coping for a number of reasons. Low walls and seating walls will need to be topped off with coping to provide a tidy finish and comfortable seating surface, as well as to protect the underlying materials from water, which might pool on their topmost surface. Likewise, steps, pool edges, and fire features in and around the kitchen will need to be fitted with coping. Natural stone makes a good candidate because of its subtle character and durability. It will also offer an opportunity to tie the kitchen in with the rest of the hardscape design.
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Flooring
Natural stone paving is ideal for outdoor kitchens because of its non-slip surface and richly detailed surface. Natural stone, such as limestone and sandstone, will also offer a relatively cool surface on which to stand when the midday summer sun blazes down on your hardscape. Surface treatments, such as those offered by Unilock Premium Quality Natural Stone, can also help to protect the surface against fading, staining, and general wear.
Low Walls
Low walls serve a number of purposes in and around outdoor kitchens: they may be used to enclose the outdoor kitchen in order to limit thoroughfare and prevent accidents, or they may serve as seating walls so that guests are encouraged to keep the cook company while he works. In any case, low walls offer another opportunity to showcase the charm and character of natural stone. Natural stone veneer is a popular method of adding the aesthetic of natural stone to low walls because of its ease of application and flexibility of style and design.
Grill Island
As with low walls, vertical features like the grill island can feature natural stone veneer. As the central feature of any outdoor kitchen, it’s important that the grill island be designed to attract attention and contribute character to the space. Natural stone or natural stone veneer is a great way to ensure this. This is also a good way to make sure that the island itself doesn’t become too hot to the touch.
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