Replies

1. 
   budgee | May 14, 2007 08:37pm | #1

   we used soapstone on a recent kitchen renovation (last July) and we love it. 

   some pros-   non permeable (will never stain)

                        can handle hot pots directly off the stove

   Cons-  some types of soapstone scratch very easily.

2. 
   jpeaton | May 14, 2007 10:58pm | #2

   Soapstone is beautiful but in my experiance, way too soft to use on a kitchen counter.

1. 
   kate | May 15, 2007 12:18am | #3

   Scratches blend right in if you wipe mineral oil on.  Search for Andybuildz's thread with photos of his kitchen - beautiful!

    

   Oops - meant this to go to Jimco...

   Edited 5/14/2007 5:19 pm ET by kate

3. 
   andybuildz | May 15, 2007 03:33am | #4

   OK...here I am : )
   Soapstone is by no means too soft for a kitchen counter.
   Its absolutely gorgeous and any scratches you may entail you can "easily" sand out. I fabricated my entire kitchens worth and being able to do that afforded me these at an incredibly "inexpensive" cost. Even if you have they do it the cost is real good in comparison.
   Its got a soft warm look to it and I'd definitely use SS again and again. We LOVE IT!!! And its easy to work with.

   Not sure if I have more in my website or not http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   If you have any questions feel free to ask.

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   "Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit."
   Abbie Hoffman

   http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

    

   
   

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   Edited 5/14/2007 8:35 pm ET by andybuildz

1. 
   mclaren | May 15, 2007 05:03am | #6

   Andy,

   My wife walked by when I was looking @ your photo's.

   "That's the kitchen I want!"

   Whan you comming to build it? ;)

   Beautiful job!

   Mclaren

1. 
   andybuildz | May 15, 2007 05:21am | #7

   Thanks...actually i was just getting my self a humus sandwich in it....and thinking this was practice for the real kitchen...lol.
   I always say that when I'm ready to sell...makes me feel OK about moving again and doing it all over again...
   BTW...here's the place I got the stone. Reallyyyyyyyyy good prices and everyone I've recommended them to has been real happy...and no I don't ge a commission..lol...they own their own quarries which is why I think they're so good.
   http://www.soapstones.com

    

   "Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman

   http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

    

1. 
   mclaren | May 16, 2007 05:06am | #10

   Andy,

   Thanks for the link.The kitchen is on the to do list, after paintingthe exterior and redo-ing the master bath....You know how it goes with old houses!! :)Really like your website....

   Mclaren

    

4. 
   plumbbill | May 15, 2007 04:14am | #5

   Soapstone is great.

   Yes it is soft & can scratch & pit, but so what---- that's just character.

   Here's some pics of mine----- there are plenty more if you search the archives.

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   I fear no man & only one GOD. Me

5. 
   MikeK | May 15, 2007 05:28am | #8

   Jim,

   There are different grades of soapstone. We got low talc soapstone from http://www.soapstones.com and we love it.  It's a little harder and less easy to scratch. We prefer the nice dark gray matte finish to granite. We have had ours for over a year now. I have 5 kids and not one scratch on the coutertops, even the island which the kids use all the time.

   That being said there is some maintenance involved. After oiling it for a few months the soapstone generally stays dark, except for around the sink. The soapy water causes the countertop to lighten up a bit.  We have to oil near sink more often. Not a big deal, but just want you to have the facts.

   Mike K

   Aurora, IL

6. 
   RichBeckman | May 15, 2007 05:38am | #9

   I was on hand when Andy's soapstone was delivered.

   So I know one thing about it from personal experience...

   It is heavy. Very, very heavy.

   Rich Beckman

   This signature line intentionally left blank.

7. 
   Hackinatit | May 16, 2007 05:24am | #11

   Gorgeous!

   Sterile, easy to clean, impermeable, varies in color a bit with age.

   Did I say gorgeous?

   Troy Sprout

   Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
   -- Thomas Sowell