Hi all,
We are remodeling our kitchen and are deciding on our countertops. I really like the look of soapstone, but it is quite uncommon here in California, and I’ve had a hard time connecting with anyone with any experience with it who isn’t selling it (and therefore potentially biased.)
Does anyone have soapstone kitchen counters out there? Are you happy with them? Do they really chip and scratch so easily? Any tips and info you have would be much appreciated!
Replies
>> Do they really chip and scratch so easily?
I have not dealt with soapstone countertops, but I have handled it some in other contexts. My brother did soapstone sculpture for a while thirtysome years ago.
Yes, soapstone really is soft and really will chip and scratch easily. If you can get a sample from a vendor, you can scratch it, drop things on it, abuse it in various inventive ways to see if it will stand up to the way you live your life. You can see how hard or easy it is to sand out scratches, and how well mineral oil or Vaseline camouflages or fails to camouflage wear. Only you can decide if the wear and patina is what you are looking for.
If you can't get a sample from a vendor, I would take that as a clue not to buy from that vendor.
You may find that your questions have already been answered here. Do an Advanced Search (look for the link at the top of the column to the left of this page) and type in 'soapstone.' You'll see that there are others who have talked about their experience with soapstone.
Good luck, Anne
Did a kitchen with it recently. It does require oiling once a year. You can't get a sample unless you'd pay freight and for the material- heavy and expensive. I did a radiant heated kitchen floor with it to, over time it will show wear pattern, adding to it's beauty. It cut well and routes easily to make drain trays, etc. . We used Vermont Soapstone, a few communication glitches- like the bottom of their new sink line from Brasil was too thick for the plumber's drain, but great material in the end. They came back and routed out underneath the outlet hole.
>> You can't get a sample unless you'd pay freight and for the material ...I wasn't suggesting that anyone should expect to get free samples, although I would bet money that the best dealers will give samples to serious prospects. If I were a serious shopper, I'd be willing to pay for a reasonable size chunk, say a 6" or 12" square. What else are the the fabricators going to do with sink cutouts and other scrap?I would also view it as a test of the dealer. A dealer who can't or won't come up with a sample, even if I offer to pay for it, isn't going to get my business, no matter how good his prices are.
You're talking about a rock thats in Vermont- I understood the person that was interested was on the west coast- h e l l o !
I don't understand your point. Italian marble comes from Italy, but people still get samples of it across the Atlantic in the US. Freight across the states is easier and cheaper than that. True, people in CA pay more freight than someone in NH, but they'd have to pay more if they bought the product too. A sample is a much cheaper way to inspect the product than to buy a whole kitchen full.
Okay, I'd like to make a final statement, you try to be helpful and it's more than it's worth. I was simply stating that, if Uncle Dunk would be skeptical of a supplier of soapstone that won't send a sample (which I'm sure if they pay for would get) he should consider the weight of the stone and it's location. The supplier I had experience with was in Vermont, the prospective buyer in California.
Maybe the better point is this, if you want soapstone and you live in California- is there a local supplier- I don't know of any outside VT . Secondly, the floor tile we put down weighed 8 lbs./ per 12" X 12" X 1/2" pc. , this would make me calculate 1" countertop at about 32lbs./ lin. ft for 25" top w/ bkspl. , obviously sinks are very heavy as well.
The italian marble you may be refering to is usually available at a local tile supplier, who of course can give out a sample, but will probably charge a deposit.
My point with the Uncle Dunk is this; why would you be skeptical of them for not wanting to give a sample? Sure if you want to purchase a piece & pay for shipping thats not a problem. Vermont Soapstone del'd & installed the sink and counters at our job site, driving down from Vermont- the only supplier we found. If I were the supplier I probably wouldn't jump for you either.
But back to the original question. I should add I did the first soapstone sink in a kitchen 2 years ago and it still looks great. And that was the basement sink that was 100 years old! 3 furniture movers brought it up the stairs, a serious challenge it was that heavy! The customer had spent close to 6 hours on it - wet sanding it and oiling it. After 1oo years there isn't a chip in it. If you drop a plate forget it! But it really adds alot to the look of the job.
Edited 12/29/2004 9:07 pm ET by byrnsie
We just ordered our soapstone countertops last week. Went in looking for granite and my wife fell in love with soapstone. The wear and tear was a major concern for her, but it is partially the look we are going for. We put in distressed glazed cabinets. The scratches can be easily sanded out. They gave us a sample and we gave it a beating testing it out... Scratched it... dropped things on it. I look at it this way, yes it will show scratches, but it is fixable where granite isn't. We also chose a chiseled edge so we won't have to worry about that scratching.
larry
I am a homeowner who just installed a soapstone counter about 6 months ago. I got the soapstone shipped to me from a company called M. Teixeira Soapstone. Their website is http://www.soapstones.com. I just checked and they now have a San Francisco location.
We ordered the Cobra soapstone which is the hardest that they offer. We are very happy with it. It shows very little wear and you can easily take care of it by reapplying mineral oil.
They also have complete instructions on their website for the working with soapstone. Just click on the "Do it yourself" button on the left side of the screen or use the following direct link http://www.soapstones.com/index.php?page=doityourself
You can also do a search on the Breaktime forum for soapstone.
Mike
I am a design/build residential remodeler. I just finished a project where I put soapstone countertops in an arts and crafts-styled kitchen. It is a perfect 'period' countertop material.
WARNING: this surface is very soft and will scratch very easily...but that is part of its charm. I can think of no other countertop surface-besides wood-where the ravages of abuse make it more appealing; but you have to have faith because-at first-the scratching seems excessive...then-at some point-you 'get' it. You understand that-over time-it will gradually start to reflect the way you live in your kitchen. Through its beautiful, mineral-oil rubbed patina, it will reveal a history of your family's work habits and foibles. It is not for everyone, that's for sure; but if you are willing to wait for up to two years for the pay-off, it is definitely worth it.