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Discussion Forum

soapstone colors & availability

jimcco | Posted in General Discussion on November 20, 2009 09:53am

Some time ago you had a good post on soapstone. When I tried to talk to Tulsa topmakers they said soapstone was all imported and more expensive than granite.

I know there are 2 different shades of black. The one being dark and other more gray-charcoal. Is there a big difference in price? Which did you use?

Thanks, Jim

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  1. andybuildz | Nov 20, 2009 11:47pm | #1

    check out my website below...I fabricated my own soapstone counters and I have a fair amount of em.
    I found them to be a lot less expensive than granite but one reason is...b/c if yer a craftsman/builder you can do it yourself which cuts the cost down considerably and you don't need any special tools. Cheap five dollar masonry blade in yer power saw and a belt sander and ROS.

    The higher cost differences come in with the deeper blacks you go with less vs the white veining but personally I love a little bit a veining in it.
    I love soapstone!!!
    In my next house I think I'm gonna fasten heating mats to the underside in the areas I work at the most. It'd be real nice to have nice'n warm counters in the winter.
    Sound dumb? I've been called worse...heh heh

    View Image

    The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

    The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

    1. jimcco | Nov 21, 2009 12:46am | #3

      Thanks for the posts.

      The link to M. Teixeira shows exactly what I was asking about. The pix of "Soapstone Applications" is done in the color of grey I don't want I think that is the one the local people were trying to sell as being U.S. & cheaper. The veining in the black is desireable.

      Did you do glued up sinks and are you satisfied with them.

      1. andybuildz | Nov 21, 2009 12:56am | #4

        Grey is how they come delivered to you from the factory. After you fabricate it you rub mineral oil on it and it turns black. The less veining..the deeper black it gets and they also mine slabs that are different shades....but they all come in as grey originally.
        Glued up sinks? You mean the soapstone sinks? No...I used a farm sink like in the photo in my web site. I do like the soapstone sink look but for my circa:1680 farmhouse the farm sink looked more appropriate.
        The SS sinks look a bit too contemporary for my taste but I do love how they look if it's the look you're after.View Image

        The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

        The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

  2. andybuildz | Nov 20, 2009 11:49pm | #2

    This is who I used and I found them to be the best. Recommended them to lots of people and everyone's been happy with them...Great info in their site too.
    http://www.soapstones.com/?gclid=CKi16rO5mp4CFc5L5Qod8jQzpA

    View Image

    The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

    The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

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