Counter regrets/satisfaction (concrete, soapstone, slate)
Phronesis
10 years ago
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xxxxOldTimeCarpenter
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Slate countertops (or alternatives?)
Comments (4)A lot of people hear 'slate' and think of the fractured face of the flooring grade stuff... But remember, it's also the bed of every decent pool/billiards table ever made. Ultra smooth, tough and long wearing. Realitively narrow color range, but it is a very worthy, often overlooked stone. Was strongly leaning this direction, now I'm moving a different way, color wise. But from what I could learn, it doesn't always need sealing, is non-porous, can be brought to a slight polish [more than soapstone, less then granite], harder than soapstone but still allows you to 'easily' buff out scratches. An interesting stone called 'black lace': would love to run my hands over this: Here's one that might be closer to your needs: And one you might not associate with slate: All courtesy of the Vermont Structural Slate Co., link below. Here is a link that might be useful: slate countertops...See MoreRegretting granite countertop choice...help!
Comments (143)I think the problem is the backsplash. Not that it isn't lovely, but it's got a large scale pattern compared to the granite which makes it pop. You certainly don't want to look for a granite that matches its punch. I do not think you will ever get the right colors in the slab of granite that don't create a different buzz.. I'm not sure is this application would allow it, but I've seen HGTV tile over tile....See MoreIs it possible to use these salvaged soapstone lab counters?
Comments (8)Scrappy - Service life of a lab counter made of granite, soapstone or slate is longer than the service life of the lab techs or even the hospital building. I worked in a lab that was built in the late 1800s, and they recycled the counters into the new buildings. Unfortunately, not into the new lab, they made a table top of it for the high muckity-muck's conference room. We were furious! However, they did recycle the oak reagent cabinets into the lab area and offices, so it was not completely lost. If they are soapstone, all they need is a thorough sanding and oiling. If they are Fireslate, get the guy to give you a slab to test the cleanup. It's a highly compressed concrete product, so clean it like concrete driveways or sountertops. Offer the guy $10 each to take them off his hands, because they WILL require a lot of cleanup and they are short pieces. Yes, the seams will show, and there may be some unremovable stains, but you would have unique countertops....See MoreEnvironmentally Friendly Counters & Soapstone
Comments (28)This can be done. There are a few things to consider when thinking about taking on a project like this, such as if slate is the right material for you. From there you should explore the type of slate in the pool table you are considering for use. There are basically two types of pool table slate, single slate pool tables and 3 piece slate pool tables. This will lead to further considerations such as taking in to account exact countertop sizes. We did an outside bar with repurposed pool type slate that worked well. The process of making the reclaimed slate work as a countertop was not difficult. If this is not a project you want to take on finding a fabricator may be a little challenging but can definitely done. I have included a few links for you below that you may want to look at. http://greeneprojects.wordpress.com/tag/slate/ http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/01/two_foodies_wait_to_stumble_ov.html http://esterrepublic.blogspot.com/2008/08/as-promised-black-slate-countertop.html...See Moreremodelfla
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10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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