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Show me your soapstone seams

13 years ago

We have a large island and as much as I hope for a single slab with no seams, if we go with soapstone there has to be a seam it seems :)

Our island will be 5 X 10 and this is pushing the limits of a single slab of any material - not to mention the size and weight at install. The soapstone company I was speaking with mentioned we would have to use two slabs, they could bookend them and there would be a seam. This company is not local so I wouldn't be able to have them install. I have yet to ask the business where I am getting our marble from if they would install the soapstone. They sell soapstone so do install it, but the slabs they have right now are far too green for me but I don't know if I can hire them just for an installation.

The seam would be at one of the edges of the prep sink but with a 5' width island, the seam will still be several feet long.

I have been told the seams can be almost invisible. True? Can I see yours please? Is there anything specific I should ask the installer to see if they know what they are doing and the best way to mask this seam?

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Comments (2)

gayl
13 years ago
I am in a really similar situation, so am looking forward to the responses you get...
rjr220
13 years ago
I think one of the most beautiful bookended seams we've seen here are from Tsdivers kitchen (who was truly my inspiration -- started me on my quest for soapstone). I have attached the link for this most fabulous kitchen!

My seams are pretty much invisible -- but remember, my SS was done by the premier Soapstone Master, FL Joshua! There are 2 seams in the photo below: one between the corner and the sink -- you can see the area where the vein does a wee bit of a jog, and then another, about 6" from the far side of the sink.

Here is a link that might be useful: tsdivers kitchen
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I have Vt Danby marble. I was disappointed w/ my 2 seams when first installed, but now, I barely noticed them. when my fabricators did the mixing for the edging epoxy, I could see how difficult it was to match, especially when there's so much veining involved. He worked w/ me with different options, and I had to choose the least of the evils. At that time, I just didn't like it. But now, the epoxy is so minimal in the whole scope of my renovation, I don't even see them now. read oldryder's post in my thread, maybe your fabricator can do that. good luck, Amanda see link: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg122250008034.html can you see the seam on the right in this poor quality picture? Here is a link that might be useful: Amanda's no bueno seams
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Iris 16: Seams in the center of sinks are much more common today than they were over 15 to 25 years ago.... IMHO - the CARDINAL rule of seams is: "Smaller is ALWAYS BETTER" Whenever i can make the seam smaller and have a better chane of "hiding" the seam - I will. I NEVER tell a customer that "they'll never see the seam" or that "the seam will be invisible" - BUT, the smaller the seam is, and the least noticable a seam is - the better. There are really great techniques that are available to Fabricators now where they can make their seams next to "invisible"... (almost) If your Fabricator wants to do this - and you are not completely "sold" on the idea yet - maybe he has a recent project that he can show you where the quality of the seam he is proposing can be inspected by you so that you CAN be 100% comfortable with the "seam in the center of the sink" location... BEFORE you committ to the work with him..... hope that helps ya!!!!!!!! kevin
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