TopStone Granite fabricates and installs outdoor kitchen countertops for grill islands, patio bars and poolside kitchens around Baltimore. We cut stone that can sit through a humid Maryland July and a February freeze without cracking, fading or staining.
Most outdoor kitchens are a team effort. A mason, landscaper or deck builder puts up the base, and we template, fabricate and set the stone on top with the cutouts for your grill, sink and side burners.
We have 15+ years in the trade and more than 650 completed jobs behind us. TopStone is licensed and insured under MHIC #145977 and works across Baltimore and about an hour's drive around the city.
An outdoor countertop has to do everything an indoor one does while sitting in sun, rain, pollen and ice. We handle the stone side of the project:
The base builder supplies the structure: the block, stone veneer or steel frame, any gas, water and electrical lines, and the patio or deck beneath it. If you do not yet have a builder, we can talk through what your countertop will need from them. Our main countertop installation page covers how we work on indoor projects.
Central Maryland weather is hard on stone. Winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, summers bring strong sun and heat, and spring adds pollen and tree sap that can stain a porous surface.
Dense, low-absorption granite handles freeze-thaw cycles and UV better than any other common countertop material. It does not fade in sun, and a good sealer keeps sap and grease out.
A leathered or flamed finish cuts glare and gives a little grip when wet. Keep in mind that black and very dark granite gets hot to the touch in full afternoon sun. See our granite countertops page for color options.
True quartzite is extremely hard and handles weather well, and it gives you a light, marble-like look that granite cannot always match. It does need sealing, especially in lighter colors.
Some stones sold as quartzite are actually marble or dolomite, which etch and weather faster outdoors. Our quartzite countertops page explains how to confirm what you are buying.
Engineered quartz is bound with resin, and UV exposure can yellow or fade it over time. Most quartz manufacturers exclude outdoor installations from their standard warranties.
A few manufacturers make products rated for outdoor use. If you want a quartz look outside, we will check the specific brand's outdoor policy before recommending it.
Built-in grills are the cutout that trips up most outdoor projects. Each grill maker publishes exact cutout dimensions, and many require an insulated jacket when the grill is built into a combustible frame or enclosure.
That means we need the model numbers for the grill, side burner, sink, refrigerator and access doors before templating. If the appliances are not on site, the spec sheets must be. Read more on our sink and appliance cutouts page.
We template on the finished base, not on a sketch. Before we arrive, the base should meet these conditions:
Outdoor stone needs more frequent sealing than kitchen counters. Rain, UV and temperature swings wear the sealer down faster, so plan to test and reseal at least once a year.
Before the first hard freeze, shut off and drain the outdoor sink and its supply lines so water cannot freeze in the pipes. A breathable, fitted cover keeps leaves, snow and sap off the stone through winter. Our stone sealing and polishing service can handle the yearly reseal.
Outdoor tops are priced like indoor stone, with a few extra factors that come from working outside:
For how material and fabrication choices add up, see our countertop cost guide. Your written quote lists each item for your project.
The countertop itself rarely needs a permit, but the rest of an outdoor kitchen often does. New gas lines, electrical circuits and water supply usually require permits and licensed trades, through Baltimore City DHCD or your county's permits office.
Some communities add their own approvals. In Columbia, exterior changes generally go through the village architectural review process, and our Columbia and Ellicott City page has more on the area.
On waterfront lots in Anne Arundel County, land within 1,000 feet of tidal water falls under Chesapeake Bay Critical Area rules, which can limit new patios and structures. See our Annapolis and Glen Burnie page, and check with the county before your base is built.
Standard indoor quartz is generally not recommended outside. UV light can discolor the resin, and most manufacturers exclude outdoor use from their warranties. Granite or true quartzite is the safer choice in Maryland sun.
Sealed, well-supported granite handles freeze-thaw cycles well. The real risk is water sitting in natural fissures or under an unsupported overhang, then freezing and expanding. Good sealing, a level base and proper support prevent most problems.
A cover is a good idea, as long as it breathes and does not trap moisture against the stone. It keeps off leaves, snow and tree debris that can stain. Always drain the outdoor sink and lines before freezing weather.
Late winter is the best time to start. That gives your base builder time to finish, and lets us template as soon as the base is ready instead of joining the spring rush. Stone can be installed in most weather, but sealers need dry conditions to cure properly.
3cm is the standard for outdoor kitchens because it is stronger and less likely to crack over a base. For a heavier, more rustic look, the edge can be built up with a mitered strip to appear 2 to 3 inches thick.
Send us your base plans and appliance list, or call to set up a measure. Booking in late winter gives you the best shot at an install before the spring rush.
Call (667) 400-3297