I'm currently making an outdoor bar/serving area that I need 2 countertops for. The lower counter will be 55" and need a back splash. The top one will be 88" long and be ctt like a "flag". The large "flag" will be 25"x33" and the other 55" will be 10 to 12" wide.

This will be in Northeast Pennsylvania, so it will be humid, dry, -20 to 100 degrees.

I originally thought of butcher block, but I'm not sure about that. The lower one will be for food prep. The upper for napkins, utensils and condiments. I'm not wanting to get too expensive here, ya know?

Fwiw, I used to do solid surface countertops, but I doubt "the brothers" would offer a discount. 😂

Thanks in advance, Rob

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Sometimes at a slab yard you can get lucky with leftovers--even different colors if they compliment each other. Have to look around and the prices can be good, since they want to get rid of leftover stock.
It's interesting you're using wood to frame it: any outdoor BBQ's I've done have always been done with steel studs for framing.
good luck.

If you used to do solid surface, how many of them went outside? There's another post going on here about a solid surface countertop the self destructed due to poor construction and the elements. If you need to do it on the cheap, form it up with melamine and cast a concrete countertop. Wood will never hold up and since you are using common framing lumber, you'll find out in a few years.

Solid surface is a great exterior material if done right. The epic failure thread here was a design/manufacture failure not really a material issue.

I agree the concrete is going to be the cheapest option if one devalues their labor to $0.00 but it wont be a great option for any food prep.

For as cheap as possible and fast-ish I'd agree looking to a local stone/granite shop for some drops even if you had to mix and match to get what you need.

Looking to a local stainless shop to brake some tops would be next but as with all the other options it wont be cheap.

Richlite is not overly expensive and holds up well. Ss if you leave propper expansion. There are lots of low cost alternative s to corion out there now.

Trespa has exterior solid phenolic material, not sure if Wilson-art or Formica do in their compact lines. We have used solid phenolic outdoors at country club with no issues.