As far as standard Orange County kitchens go,

Weaker countertop materials will require the entire countertop to have a more supportive subsurface while stronger materials won't require any additional support. A good example of this is concrete and stone. These two materials when used for countertops can be supported solely by the counters walls. Most outdoor countertops however require substrates that extends from the wall by at least 3 inches. Popular materials for substrates are concrete and steel as their strengths are well-known and documented.

When it comes to choosing a material for an outdoor countertop an individual or homeowner needs to keep in mind that they should select a material that is not only easy to clean but one that's easy to work and eat off if necessary. Luckily there are several materials homeowners can use to get everything they need out an outdoor countertop.

Stone Tile

Stone tiles coated with an acrylic sealant are usually suitable as an outdoor countertop material. A homeowner must be cautious however as some stone tiles aren't as strong and/or stain resistant as others.

Granite

Granite is often recognized for its beauty and its wide variety of shades and colors. Granite will provide homeowners with a very strong outdoor countertop and furthermore require no subsurface. It's very heavy weight however will require a homeowner to hire professional for its installation.

Glazed Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is a favorite among homeowners looking to put together an outdoor countertop. This is because it's easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. It also offers the greatest variety of sizes and colors.

Stone Slab

Again, stone slabs need no substrate and can be supported by a counters walls. Stone slabs for countertops are generally cut 3 inches thick and are molded to fit the contours of each individual outdoor kitchen. Two prominent favorites among homeowners have arisen in stone slabs, those being bluestone and limestone.

Concrete

Concrete used to be used solely for things like driveways and walkways but in recent times has been rediscovered by homeowners as a material that has a decorative surface and can be colored & textured in a myriad of different ways. The only drawback to using concrete for outdoor countertop is the fact that due to its weight among other things it will need to be installed professionally.

Brick & Flagstone

It used to be that brick and flagstone were used primarily for things like walk ways or walls but brick and flagstone also present homeowners with a unique look and opportunity when they're looking to build or refurbish outdoor countertops. Brick and flagstone can be coated with an acrylic sealer to address the problems their porous surfaces can cause. After the sealant is set and dried brick can be painted, decorated, or colored with many different types of materials. Homeowners can also use brick and Flagstone as is when they want an old-fashioned or rustic look added to their Orange County kitchen.