Pick a slab from a real Austin floor, then one crew templates, cuts, and installs it for your Temple outdoor kitchen. Sink and grill cutouts included.
Temple sits on the I-35 corridor where Central Texas summers hit hard and winter freezes still happen. Older homes near the center often have brick or stucco patios that were built without plumbing or gas lines, while newer builds on the edges sometimes include rough-ins for outdoor kitchens. Either way, the countertop has to take direct sun, hold up to a grill’s heat, and not crack when the temperature drops overnight.
ATX Granite King handles the whole job from slab selection to installation. You walk the Austin slab floor and pick the actual piece that will go in your yard. The same crew that templates your layout comes back to set the finished top. Sink cutouts and sink set are included in the fabrication work, so you don’t have to coordinate separate trades.
Because the stone comes from a direct importer with almost three hundred lots on the floor, you can choose a high-end slab for a permanent outdoor kitchen or a more budget-friendly option for a rental or flip. The crew works with a partner for rental-grade material, so you’re not paying for a showpiece if the property is temporary.
You pick the actual slab from a floor of nearly three hundred lots. The crew loads it, brings it to the shop for templating and fabrication, then installs it. No middleman, no color-matching guesswork. If you want a lighter stone that won’t absorb as much heat in Temple’s summer sun, you see the exact piece before it’s cut.
Fabrication covers the cutout for the sink and the drop-in grill. The crew sets the sink so you don’t have to schedule a plumber separately. Grill cutouts are sized to the manufacturer’s specs, and the edges are polished to match the rest of the counter.
The same team templates, fabricates, and installs. No handoffs, no miscommunication between shops. If the layout changes during templating, like adjusting for a gas line or a drain, the crew handles it on the spot instead of sending you back to a designer.
Central Texas outdoor counters have to handle three things: heat, UV exposure, and temperature swings. Granite is a natural igneous stone that’s hard and generally heat-tolerant, but it’s porous and needs sealing to resist stains from grease or barbecue sauce. In most cases, it holds color well outside, though lighter granites can fade if they’re in direct sun for years. Quartzite is metamorphosed sandstone, very hard, usually UV-stable, and less likely to etch than marble. Some slabs sold as quartzite are softer and behave more like marble, so you have to check the actual piece you’re buying.
Engineered quartz is non-porous and needs no sealing, but it’s made with resin that can yellow or warp in long UV exposure. Most manufacturers don’t recommend it for full outdoor use in Texas. Marble and dolomite are calcium-based and will etch from acids like lemon or vinegar, even if they’re sealed. Soapstone is non-porous and doesn’t need sealing, but it’s softer and can scratch from grill tools. Porcelain slabs are man-made, non-porous, and UV-stable, but they’re thinner and can chip at the edges if something heavy hits them.
For Temple’s older housing stock, where patios might not have built-in drainage, the crew can slope the counter slightly so water runs off instead of pooling. If the counter will be under a pergola or roof, UV exposure is less of an issue, and you have more material options. If it’s fully exposed to the elements, granite, quartzite, and porcelain are the most reliable choices.
The crew starts by measuring the base cabinets or the concrete pad where the counter will sit. They note where the grill, sink, and any gas or electrical outlets are located. If the base isn’t level, they’ll shim it or grind it down before templating. For outdoor kitchens, they also check that the counter will have enough overhang to drain water away from the base, especially in older Temple homes where the patio might not have a built-in slope.
Templating is done with a digital laser or a physical template made of thin plywood. The crew marks where the sink and grill cutouts will go, including any faucet holes or gas line notches. If the counter will wrap around a corner, they account for the seam placement so it’s not in a high-traffic spot. For materials like quartzite or granite, they’ll also note any natural fissures or color variations so the cutouts can be placed to avoid weak spots.
Fabrication happens in the shop. The sink cutout is polished to match the rest of the counter, and the edges are finished to the profile you chose, usually eased or bullnose for outdoor use, since sharp edges can chip. The crew also drills any faucet holes or soap dispenser notches. If the counter is large, they’ll split it into sections for easier transport and installation, then seam it on-site with color-matched epoxy.
Granite is durable and generally holds up to heat, but it’s porous and needs sealing every year or two. If you don’t reseal it, grease or barbecue sauce can stain it, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause cracks over time. Lighter granites can fade in direct sun, so if your Temple patio gets full exposure, a darker slab might be a better choice. Granite also has natural fissures that aren’t cracks but can be weak spots if the counter is hit hard.
Quartzite is very hard and usually UV-stable, but some slabs sold as quartzite are softer and behave more like marble, etching from acids. It’s also more expensive than granite, and the selection can be limited. Engineered quartz is non-porous and low-maintenance, but it’s not recommended for full outdoor use in Texas because the resin can yellow or warp in UV exposure. If you choose quartz, the crew will usually recommend keeping it under a roof or pergola.
Marble and dolomite are beautiful but high-maintenance outdoors. They etch from acids like lemon or vinegar, and even sealed marble can stain from grease. Soapstone is non-porous and doesn’t need sealing, but it’s softer and can scratch from grill tools. Porcelain slabs are UV-stable and non-porous, but they’re thinner and can chip at the edges. They’re also more expensive than natural stone, and the selection is limited compared to granite or quartzite.
Start by thinking about how you’ll use the space. If you grill often and don’t want to worry about resealing, a hard stone like granite or quartzite is a good choice. If the counter will be under a roof or pergola, you have more options, including engineered quartz or marble. If the patio is fully exposed to the elements, stick with granite, quartzite, or porcelain to avoid UV damage or freeze-thaw issues.
Next, consider the look you want. Granite and quartzite come in a wide range of colors and patterns, while marble and dolomite have a more classic, veined appearance. Soapstone is dark and matte, and porcelain slabs can mimic the look of stone or concrete. If you’re matching an existing outdoor material, like a brick or stucco patio, bring a sample to the slab floor so you can compare colors in natural light.
Finally, think about maintenance. Granite and quartzite need sealing, but it’s a quick job you can do yourself. Marble and dolomite need more frequent sealing and can etch from acids, so they’re not ideal if you entertain often. Engineered quartz is low-maintenance but not recommended for full outdoor use in Texas. Porcelain is non-porous and UV-stable, but it’s thinner and can chip. The crew can walk you through the pros and cons of each material when you visit the slab floor.
Call the crew to set up a time to walk the Austin slab floor. They’ll show you the options that work best for outdoor use in Central Texas, including granite, quartzite, and porcelain. If you’re working with a rental or flip property, they can also show you more budget-friendly slabs that still hold up to the elements. The crew will give you a straight quote in writing, including the templating, fabrication, and installation dates.
Once you pick a slab, the crew schedules the templating. They’ll come to your Temple home to measure the base and mark where the sink, grill, and any outlets are located. If the base isn’t level, they’ll note what needs to be adjusted before installation. Templating usually takes about an hour, and the crew will give you a fabrication timeline when they’re done.
Fabrication happens in the shop, and the crew will call you when the counter is ready to install. They’ll set the sink and make sure everything is level and secure. If the counter is large, they’ll seam it on-site with color-matched epoxy. The whole job, from slab selection to installation, is handled by the same crew, so you don’t have to coordinate separate trades. Call for a straight quote to get started.
$38 per square foot, cut, measure, and install included. Jobs over 1,000 square feet: $30 per square foot.
Sink cutout and sink set are included in the fabrication work. Non standard work is still quoted before work begins. Send the rough square footage and the rooms involved, or call (512) 297-7493 for a straight quote.
Marble is calcium-based and will etch from acids like lemon or vinegar, even if it’s sealed. It’s also more likely to stain from grease or barbecue sauce. If you love the look of marble, you can use it under a roof or pergola where it’s protected from direct sun and rain, but it’s not ideal for a fully exposed outdoor kitchen in Central Texas.
Granite and quartzite are porous and need sealing to resist stains and freeze-thaw damage. Engineered quartz and porcelain don’t need sealing, and soapstone is non-porous. The crew can tell you how often your specific material needs to be resealed when you pick the slab.
Granite and quartzite are the best choices for grill cutouts because they’re heat-tolerant and hard. Marble and dolomite can crack from direct heat, and engineered quartz can warp or yellow. The crew will size the cutout to your grill’s specs and polish the edges to match the rest of the counter.
Yes, but they’ll need to shim or grind the base before templating. If the base is too far out of level, they might recommend rebuilding it to avoid future cracking. The crew will check the base during templating and give you options if adjustments are needed.
Porcelain slabs are thin and can chip at the edges if something heavy hits them. They’re also more expensive than natural stone, and the selection is limited compared to granite or quartzite. However, they’re non-porous, UV-stable, and don’t need sealing, so they’re a good choice for fully exposed outdoor kitchens in Temple.
Tell us the rooms, the rough square footage and what you have in mind for outdoor kitchen countertops in temple. You get a number for the whole job, in writing, before anyone cuts anything.