outside countertop

[syf350]

I need to make an outside countertop that will be exposed to the weather.

I am thinking of raw diamond plate stamped steel sheet with paint and sealant.

What could I use for the paint and sealant that would stand up to the weather and be food safe and stand up to cutting etc?

:waiting:

[Doug28450]

You can get 40 sf of Granite installed for $1500 from Angie's List.

Hurry, I've heard there are some other people interested in this deal.

[onedef92]

You can get 40 sf of Granite installed for $1500 from Angie's List.

Hurry, I've heard there are some other people interested in this deal.

"Hurry, Han! The fleet'll be here any moment!"

[simpleman68]

Not sure what you're using the top for but I wouldn't bank on any paint, epoxy etc holding up for more than a few seasons at best.

Most metals corrode or rust, particularly if you're near the ocean.

I would consider, poured concrete, soap stone (can be sanded) etc.

More details would really help with suggestions.
Scott

[DAB]

remnant of granite from a fab shop.

[syf350]

Not sure what you're using the top for but I wouldn't bank on any paint, epoxy etc holding up for more than a few seasons at best.

Most metals corrode or rust, particularly if you're near the ocean.

I would consider, poured concrete, soap stone (can be sanded) etc.

More details would really help with suggestions.
Scott

thought about concrete as well, and haven't ruled that out. it's going to be about 2'x 6'.

The other issue is that it is going to e on a trailer. I worry about concrete cracking with the movement of the trailer.

don't guess chopping block material like this would work very well either - 1 1/2" x25" x 8 lft Maple Butcher Block Countertop - Williamsburg Butcher Block Co. | Lumber Liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/x-lft-Maple-Butcher-Block-Countertop-Williamsburg-Butcher-Block-Co.-MABB8/10006983)

[simpleman68]

thought about concrete as well, and haven't ruled that out. it's going to be about 2'x 6'.

The other issue is that it is going to e on a trailer. I worry about concrete cracking with the movement of the trailer.

don't guess chopping block material like this would work very well either - 1 1/2" x25" x 8 lft Maple Butcher Block Countertop - Williamsburg Butcher Block Co. | Lumber Liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/x-lft-Maple-Butcher-Block-Countertop-Williamsburg-Butcher-Block-Co.-MABB8/10006983)

Maple will rot and crack quickly in almost any outdoor environment, particularly if it is seemed/biscuited pieces.
It is not a very hard/dense wood.

What will it be use for? Sounds like a portable grill food prep/serve top.
Scott

[syf350]

Maple will rot and crack quickly in almost any outdoor environment, particularly if it is seemed/biscuited pieces.
It is not a very hard/dense wood.

What will it be use for? Sounds like a portable grill food prep/serve top.
Scott

exactly

[DAB]

if it's going to be outside, then i'd avoid the wood.

if you want a specific size, and not too expensive, go with concrete board topped with ceramic tile of your choice. concrete board is 3'x5', and can be cut down. get 1/2" thick, attach to CDX exterior plywood, and then use thin set to attach the tiles and grout.

[DAB]

Maple will rot and crack quickly in almost any outdoor environment, particularly if it is seemed/biscuited pieces.
It is not a very hard/dense wood.

What will it be use for? Sounds like a portable grill food prep/serve top.
Scott

maple is plenty hard, that's why it's used for cutting boards. but with moisture exposure outside, i'd skip the wood.

[syf350]

if it's going to be outside, then i'd avoid the wood.

if you want a specific size, and not too expensive, go with concrete board topped with ceramic tile of your choice. concrete board is 3'x5', and can be cut down. get 1/2" thick, attach to CDX exterior plywood, and then use thin set to attach the tiles and grout.

thought about tile,too. but worried about the movement and flex might crack it to hell driving down the road.

[simpleman68]

maple is plenty hard, that's why it's used for cutting boards. but with moisture exposure outside, i'd skip the wood.

Look at a density chart of hardwoods. Maple is pretty far down the list.
With the exception of Sugar Maple, most maples are 15-20% denser than many species of pine.

And I'd agree, skip the wood.
Scott

[simpleman68]

thought about tile,too. but worried about the movement and flex might crack it to hell driving down the road.

Movement plus outdoor environment is a challenging combo.

A nice thick chunk of soapstone or a few of the other engineered stone tops will likely be your best alternative.
Many of them can be sanded and a good sealer a few times a year (or more) should do the trick.
Scott

[mrvette]

A welder buddy of mine that did all the major welding on the '72 vette project, built a nice large 14x16' Gazebo in his back yard....so put a hot tub under it, and a custom setup sink/grill/fridge/and LONG bar top with a water feature down the middle, ALL welded stainless 2" angle with a piece of shop drop on the end for a cylinder about 36" high, where the water falls into, it was filled with concrete and leveled off .....that high grade stainless is going NO WHERE in his lifetime......unless a tree hits it.....the Gazebo has a higher storm rating then the HOUSE.....so the joke goes that is a hurry CAIN comes, he and she going into the hot tub to ride out the storm.....:rofl:

[theriver]

Star Board
Will never rot,check,discolor. Easy to cut and router. Lasts forever.
King StarBoard&reg HDPE Marine Building Material : TAP Plastics (http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/king_starboard/526)

It's actually cutting board material. Can get it in any dimension.

[simpleman68]

Star Board
Will never rot,check,discolor. Easy to cut and router. Lasts forever.
King StarBoard&reg HDPE Marine Building Material : TAP Plastics (http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/king_starboard/526)

It's actually cutting board material. Can get it in any dimension.

Very interesting material. :cool:

Not the prettiest surface to serve BBQ on, but neither is a chunk of sidewalk. :lol:
Scott

[DAB]

Corian ?

Won't crack. Easy to clean.

[mrvette]

Corian ?

Won't crack. Easy to clean.

Jacked up about 3/8-1/2 inch of droop under a Coriane top, last summer....

cabinet rotted out, chipboard.....but it got it straight with the back splash.....


scary project, never did it before....that top snapped, it was going to be a fortune.....

do THAT with stone.....:issues:

[Black94lt1]

Why not just use diamond plate aluminum instead of steel

[syf350]

Why not just use diamond plate aluminum instead of steel

Can I paint it and seal it to protect against scratching etc?

Don't want the chrome finish. Too bright and hot.

[JRD77VET]

Anything that is hard enough to be scratch resistant is going to kill knife edges.

[63C2splitter]

Metal frame powder coated, with a 1/4 inch lip for placement of HDPE cutting board material that can be removed for washing/transport. Any hard material would be prone to cracking if transported, and kill knives when cutting food.

[syf350]

Metal frame powder coated, with a 1/4 inch lip for placement of HDPE cutting board material that can be removed for washing/transport. Any hard material would be prone to cracking if transported, and kill knives when cutting food.

That might be the ticket.:cheers:

Also considering a hole to have a large burner to use with a disc. I imagine this stuff would melt? Might be able to do in sections so I could remove it when using the burner.

[JRD77VET]

That might be the ticket.:cheers:

Also considering a hole to have a large burner to use with a disc. I imagine this stuff would melt? Might be able to do in sections so I could remove it when using the burner.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Sheeting | U.S. Plastic Corp. (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23869)

quote from above link
These sheets can be heat formed, shaped and welded to fabricate ducts, hoods, and much more. They have excellent corrosion resistance to a wide range of items. Cannot be cemented but are easily welded with plastic welder. Can be cut with a carbide tipped blade and drilled with regular metal bits. Not UV stabilized but meets FDA standards. The High Density Polyethylene has a density .Density 0.95. Rigid, good impact resistance and abrasion resistance. Color white; translucent. Working temp. -60° to 180° F. Forming temp. is 295°F. Meets FDA standards. The 3/8" and 1/2" of the 48" x 96" sheet are stress relieved.