[Chris Yaughn]

We are building a top for an outdoor grill. Are you guys using MDF as substrate in outdoor applications? or is something like a treated ply or even hardwood strips more appropriate?

Chris

[Matt Kraft]

See if your supplier can get a marine grade plywood. We have used that before. I think we were gunshy and sealed all the cut edges also. I would NOT use MDF outside. Just my opinion.

[Norm Walters]

Chris, they do make a moisture resistant MDF, it’s green and is pretty nasty to cut. How moisture resistant it is I don’t know, but it is one alternative. Another alternative is to build up everything with solid surface, then you don’t have to worry about it

[Patrick McGrath]

I agree with all Matt says.

You might want to consider not using a subframe at all – silicone your tops directly onto whatever is going to support them.

[Jon Olson]

Here’s a company that sells aluminum brackets. Good price. We use this type quite a bit.

http://www.rakks.com/products/counter.html

[Tom M]

Chris,

Our sign out front is made with Medex, medite’s exterior MDF. Understand it needs to still be sealed all around – particularly end grain, but it has held up to the elements for at least 15 years, now.

Tom

[Chris Yaughn]

Thanks everyone for the replies, lots of options to sort through. I like it.

The same client is considering going with a butcher block island, I saw http://www.livingelements.com at the IBS and have priced mesquite through them. Does anyone have any experience or a good source for Maple Butcher Block Tops?

This thing is gonna have a sink and be used as a cutting board so I would prefer to leave the fabrication to a company that does this all the time.

Chris

[Wags]

I would be concerned about using Butcher Block outside. The best product for around a grill is soapstone. Soapstone is a natural stone but you can work it, many times with carbide tooling. It doesn’t need sealing, heat has no effect on it, and the sun or rain, snow etc will have no effect. Also it is typically 3 cm so no build up.

[Tom M]

I’ve been impressed with Bally Block butcher block tops. I would not recommend them for outside use, though.

Wags, if I remember correctly, you mentioned soapstone for outside use on another thread on this forum. I think it is really the best option as well.

Tom

[Chris Yaughn]

My brain was in two places at once. The BB island is inside the kitchen. The grill surround is outside (SS). The application actually needs a bit of buildup, or rather the top needs to sit down on the brick due to the way the grill is mounted. I will look into the soapstone for future outdoor apps though.

Thanks for the help

Chris

[Shane Barker]

I installed Staron around an outside BBQ and found out the hard way that it was not such a good idea, I had no idea how far the heat would transfer. This was a huge island so rather than remaking the whole thing I cut out a section and used Soapstone around the BBQ area. Turned out great, customers loved it and it has lasted for a long time. If I had to do it over I would have done the whole thing in Soapstone.

Shane

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