Outdoor work top ideas?

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2006
Posts
3,386
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
I am going to build a bbq area in the garden and would like somewhere to put the plates down and a place to put the meat on before putting it on the bbq etc. There wont be any raw (or cooked meat) touching the surface it will always be on a plate or baking tray or whatever, its just somewhere to put a few things and beer!

I guess the obvious choice is a natural stone kitchen worktop but thats way out of my budget so was thinking of the following options:

Stainless steel - probably wouldnt look right in the garden?
Tiled - Large floor stone look tiles might work?
Concrete - there are a number of people done this on the net and it looks great but usure how much concrete is to buy and if it can even be mixed up at home without a proper mixer?
Vinyl - not sure if this would last too many winters?
Wood - as above unless it was treated I assume it wouldnt last
Any other options?
 
I am planning on doing something similar and will be making a timber framework with doors on the front that I can sit 600x600 slabs on top of with a slight recess. It gives me flexibility to put whatever slabs I want on top (likely granite).
 
We're currently considering a large piece of wood for an outdoor counter, something like a heavy slab of cut and varnished tree rather than planks. Not sure if it would last long though, especially in the sun?
 
How's it being mounted as mentioned.

Personally I'd be going for wood or concrete out of those lists (it's not easy to mix well by hand but it can be done). You can normally get cement on offer at b&q etc and then it's just sand which depending on size might be easier to grab from an aggregates specialist.

There is an artificial stone or engineered stone type worktop which might be an option to consider.

In regards the tiled approach, we had custom made tiles made in different sizes, you may be able to get someone to make you a larger size 'worktop' in the same way. It was literally coloured powder added to the cement mix while making the slabs in moulds.
 
If you could find a nice live edge piece of cedar, properly finished and looked after would probably out last you.

I'd be tempted to go with a nice polished concrete top for outside, various colours and effects. You can make it to the exact size and shape you need too.

Use any online cement calculator to figure it out such as http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/howmuch/calculator.htm

Then watch some videos on polishing and sealing it properly and you'll be good to go.
 
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