Granite countertops are tough to beat for all-around ease-of-use, maintenance, color choices, and unmatched durability for outdoor countertops. Granite can handle the weather and all the fancy barbecue recipes, food, drinks, fun (and sometimes chaos) of outdoor dining and entertaining. 

It won't etch, or discolor, or lose its shine. If your granite does get stained, it can be removed or the sun and rain will get rid of it over time. Plus granite offers so many color and pattern options you're bound to find at least one that's perfect. 

Granite is classified by levels. Level I granite includes the most common colors. Level III granite includes stones colors that are rare and exotic. Lower levels of stone are often uniform and consistent, while higher levels have more irregular patterns, also called “movement”. Even though granite slabs may be classified as the same color, there might be a variance in tint, and certain colors are more prevalent in one slab over the other, even though, technically, they are of the same color. Granite countertop levels I and II are more affordable. Level III granite countertops are more expensive because they are more rare.