CARROLLTON, Texas C There's no question as to the emphasis of Ryan Burden's business. He readily admits that Countertop Specialty focuses on all types of stone countertops C including outdoor ones.

"I wouldnt say it's a lot compared to indoor countertops," he says. "But, we're in Texas and there's plenty of time to be outdoors. There are plenty of outdoor kitchens here, and they're gaining in popularity."

As with interior jobs, Burden says he's most-often contacted first by the homeowner. And, he believes the countertop is an important part of the outdoor kitchen C at least among one segment of buyers.

"The guys might be looking at the barbecue, but the ladies are looking at the countertops," he says. "They're definitely considered a central design piece, and everything else follows."

Burden says much of what he sells for outdoor use is granite, in large part because of the color choices and unique patterns the stone offers. And, he adds, most homeowners don't want the same thing outdoors that they've put in the inside kitchen.

"As with any other job, they're looking to add some distinct personality and flair to a particular area," he says.

He tries to discourage clients from using quartz surfaces or even concrete. In both cases, he says, colors can fade and yellow.

Soapstone is a little more attractive, Burden believes, because of its durability, although he says it can look greasy if not maintained; its also a little more prone to nicking and denting than granite.

Burden says actually doing an outdoor kitchen isn't appreciably different than doing an indoor one.

"Most of the job has to be done," he says. "The cabinets have to be in place, the grill has to be in place, along with the other major features. If there's going to be outlets or plumbing, you want that to be in place for drilling holes or making cutouts."

He says it helps to develop a rapport with the contractors doing the work. He has some contractors where he does every one of their outdoor jobs, even if he isn't the cheapest.

"They know how we work, they know they can rely on us, and if there's a snag they know how we're going to handle it," Burden says. "The relationship is often more important than the bottom line price."

As for other fabricators and installers who want to tap into the outdoor-kitchen market, he suggests calling landscape contractors and asking if they need someone to do their countertops.

And, he adds, dont be afraid to answer questions. If both the contractor and the client understand whats going on, things always go more smoothly.

"Make contacts, get a few jobs, then do a very good job and build your relationships," Burden concludes. "Once you do that, you might find you have other people calling you, as well."