| Author |
Message |
    
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2709
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 8:34 am: | 
|
Some say they're "too soft," but they seem very popular. Anyone have any experience?
Also, I've seen some beautiful soapstone farm sinks but don't know where to find one. I haven't "really searched, but the usual resources don't seem to have them. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3834
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 8:58 am: |
|
We have them. They are "soft", but I like the look. I would NOT recommend our fabricator though. Another one has been recommended on MOL. I am not 100% happy with our seams, but I try not to let it get to me too much. (Supposedly, our contractor said we paid significantly less...) |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2710
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
|
I like the look of them too. Do you find they scratch "easily." I have visions of having to sand out scratches on a fairly regular basis. I know you cook quite a bit more than I do, so if yours are holding up, I guess I shouldn't worry too much.
Can I come see them some time? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3835
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
|
Initially, I was going for the "patina" so I was cutting on them and made a few scratches. Then I decided against that. I also did a bit of damage by putting together an Ikea knife tray, pushing against the counter, so there are a couple of screw sized divets. Whoops. The good thing is, it doesn't bug me the way it might if it was a scratch or a divet on gleaming granite. Also, the nice thing about the soft off-black color is that it doesn't show water spots the way a deeper black does (as in the silestone in our master bath, which I also love). We oil it with mineral oil on occasion; initially I did it monthly, now it's been about six months or so...not a big job, just get some mineral oil and either spritz it on and wipe it off or put it on a rag and wipe it off...it deepens the color slightly and makes it shine, it's really as easy as cleaning the counter, the hardest part is clearing everything off.
You can come by to see, but I'm not dressed yet! Let me know when... |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2714
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
|
Look for a P/L from me. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 341
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
|
i'm getting them, too!
are you using teixeira?
|
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2715
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 7:09 pm: |
|
Just in the very beginning stages of the plan. Not using anyone yet. Researching countertops and I like the look of the soapstone, particularly with a soapstone farmers sink. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 208
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 7:47 pm: |
|
We are probably going to use soapstone in our kitchen. My husband and I went out to teixeira to see it in person. http://www.soapstones.com/
They sent us home with about 6 sample pieces. We've been using and abusing them in our kitchen, and so far we're very happy with soapstone. I think it will be a good fit for our house. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 317
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 12:14 am: |
|
Apparently the most sanitary natural product for kitchen counters is quartz. No sealing required, very hard and looks alot like granite. Something to consider.
It's what we'll use when we are ready to redo our ancient kitchen.
http://www.bobvila.com/ArticleLibrary/Location/Kitchen/QuartzCountertops.html |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10358
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 4:42 am: |
|
Divets? That is the first I have heard about anything like that with soapstone. I like the look, even if it reminds me of chem lab in school, and scratches, etc. can be buffed out from what I have read and seen on TV.
Pdg, the product you are talking about is usually called by one of the brand names, Silestone. It is mostly quartz, but somewhere around ten percent epoxy to hold it together. I like the product, it doesn't need sealing and is stronger than granite. However, it lacks the veining of granite and is more uniform in appearance. The latter may be an advantage or not, depending on personal taste.
|
darrensager
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 233
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 8:21 am: |
|
Consider using these guys for soapstone. I've come across them at a numerous amount of home shows and their quality is top notch. They are America's first and foremost soapstone company, and they guarantee their soapstone forever.
www.vermontsoapstone.com |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3837
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 9:15 am: |
|
Bob, I was screwing into the wood cutlery tray while pushing down on the counter. Not too swift on my part, but also, if you remember from my kitchen reno thread, I was not happy with the product I got. Perhaps it's a softer slab? Anyway, it's ok, not horrible, but I'd not use the guys we used.
We put Silestone in our baths and it is a nice product, but the look is much more like granite than soapstone. It looks much slicker. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 831
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
|
Because the soapstone timeframe (longer fabrication - place was very busy) didn't work for me when I was replacing a counter in a kitchen redo this fall, I found a similar look - a bit harder than soapstone tho. not as hard as granite: pietra cardoza. I'm very happy with it & was happy with the stone place I used. feel free to contact me, Meand, if you want more info |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2718
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
|
Thanks for the link darrensager, bookmarked it for future reference.
Doula, as far as lead time is concerned, we've got plenty so I don't think it will be an issue. But I do want to get together and see what you did with your kitchen--and the new house! Is your number still the same? |
jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 202
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 4:05 pm: |
|
We put soapstone in our kitchen about 18 months ago, including a soapstone farm sink. We used Texeira and were happy, but we didn't go to pick out the actual slab and I kinda wish we had. I really like the soapstone, but our island has a bit too much of the quartzy bits for my taste.
I also read about Vermont Soapstone. They are indeed great (I think they did Martha Stewart's counters), but they are a lot more expensive than Texeira (whose stone comes from Brazil-- surprise surprise) and they would have taken a lot longer. I don't remember exactly, but the lead time didn't seem too great. In fact, one of the cool things about soapstone is that you can use wood working tools on it!
We also looked at the Cardozo Stone that doulamomma refers to... I really liked the look of it and I might use it in another part of the house, but we really wanted soapstone.
On the sinks-- you can either have them made out of a single piece of stone ($$$$) or they can piece together 5 slabs to make a basin (that's what we did... I think it was around $500). |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2735
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:41 pm: |
|
Thanks jr. Where's Texeira so maybe I can go take a look.
Ultimately, I guess it's up to our architect and contractor to tell us what fabricator they prefer. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 844
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:45 pm: |
|
Meand - yup - same number!
doula |
jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 203
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 7:00 pm: |
|
I can't remember their address, but they're in Garfield... off 80.
Their website is www.soapstones.com
|
Flik Chik
Citizen
Username: Flikchik
Post Number: 171
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 3:19 pm: |
|
We looked at Soapstone and discarded it as being too high maintenance for our tastes. It needs to be oiled regularly for the sheen and all the samples we got from Texeira were really soft. The hard edge of a tape measure scratched them.
We instead went with honed absolute black granite and are VERY HAPPY with the results. It does not have the sheen of polished granite or the maintenance of soapstone. We have used it heavily for the past 6 months and it has held up really well. If you would like to see it, please PL me for further details... |
Czele
Citizen
Username: Czele
Post Number: 76
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 9:35 pm: |
|
The difference between honed granite and soapstone is that although honed granite is resistant to scratches, oils will stain it, even when sealed. The stains are more visible on absolute black honed granite (which is what a lot of people use if they are looking for the soapstone look, but want something harder) Some people also complain about the waxy buldup of the granite sealant. Soapstone will scratch easily, but is more resistant to staining. Vermont Soapstone has a great reputation, but I have a friend who has used teixeira and is very happy. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2749
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 7:18 am: |
|
Also, my understanding is that if you are in to perfection and want a surface that remains unmarred by day to day living, then granite is the way to go. While the objective with soapstone is to allow for a more "forgiving" finish and to build an aged, distressed, lived-in kind of finish over time.
That being said, I think I am more of a soapstone kind of gal. Also, in my research, it's been said that soapstone is very much in keeping with the age and history of my house. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8471
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
|
If you like soapstone, but don't like the maintenance issues, I found this by accident today:
Quote:Paperstone is a new solid surface countertop material made from recycled paper and water based resins. With the look and feel of soapstone or slate, Paperstone is durable, repairable, and heat resistant to 350 degrees.
http://www.livingreen.com/greenproducts/surfaces.htm
|
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2764
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:41 pm: |
|
Interesting, but it seems to me 350 degrees isn't very hot, and any pot coming off a stove would be way hotter than that. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8474
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 6:20 pm: |
|
yeah, I wouldn't suggest cooking on it  |
Czele
Citizen
Username: Czele
Post Number: 78
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 8:59 pm: |
|
Another problem with recycled paper counters (Richlite is another brand) is that they fade over time from sunlight and shouldn't be used if you want a tile backsplash (contact with grout will stain it). But it is definately a soft and warm material, and if you want a natural look while feeling good about your contribution to a healthier planet, then it's a good choice.
Another product that I've come across is Durat... http://www.durat.com/
very promising material for all kinds of applications... |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 347
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 6:21 pm: |
|
WHere can you get Durat? The company is based in Finland.
Is Staron recycled plastic, too? |
Czele
Citizen
Username: Czele
Post Number: 79
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 8:45 pm: |
|
There is a distributor for Durat in Connecticut- If you're interested PL me and I will give you the info.
Staron is not made from recycled materials, and it seems similar to Corian in its properties (except that it has a certain amount of aluminum content) It will also burn and scratch easily |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page