Slate Slab Kitchen Counters
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13 years ago
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13 years agojterrilynn
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honed slate slab?
Comments (2)I was considering it, but was discouraged by all the negative information from the counter guys I was talking to at the time. They said they absolutley did not recommend it for kitchens. They did sell it, and would do it, but strongly encouraged me not to. To tell you the truth, I can't even remember exactly why right now. If I remember correctly, it was due to its susceptablilty to chipping and staining. I continued to look and just couldn't find enough evidence to dispute them, so I chickened out and decided to go with a different material. They recommended honed granite over the slate slab....See MorePool table slate counters
Comments (2)Check out this thread, especially saltlife's, links. There are some pictures. Here is a link that might be useful: pool table slate/kitchen counters...See Morehave you used pietra grigia slate for kitchen counters?
Comments (3)hmmm, a few months ago I got soapstone samples from M. Texeira and one of them was called pietra grigia....definitely not slate. They no longer seem to have it, but say one of their other stones is similar. I actually was leaning toward it because when I trial scraped, cut and otherwise abused all the samples I had, it was clearly the hardest and most resistant. I believe, as others have pointed out on this site, that stones are rarely, if ever, "pure". Instead they are various combinations of different minerals, with more or less talc, quartz, or other minerals. in them. That's why soapstones, for example, vary in hardness. I'm thinking Pietra Grigia is a a stone that "qualifies" as soapstone because of the amount of talc in it, but that it has somewhat less than other varieties (hence it's comparative hardness). Bottom line is that I liked it and thought it a good choice but do not, alas, have experience of it yet. I am puzzled by why they would call it slate...the sample I saw had none of the layered qualitiy typical of slate. Can I ask where you saw it available? And I'll be interested to know if others have used it....See MoreSlate or slate look-a-like on kitchen floor
Comments (28)Hi, I just found this thread, I don't know if you've made a decision yet but thought I'd offer my two cents. While building our home my husband and I debated heavily over real slate, he wanted it for the "look" of natural stone and I didn't want it because of the maintenance, and the problems (flaking, staining, and the variations in thickness of the tile, etc...). After a lot of serious consideration we chose to go with the real slate because it fit the style of the house. I have not regretted it. It looks great and after having moved in a year ago has been holding up well. We went with Brazilian multi color slate that I found through a local tile distributor. It was professionally installed and my tile guy used an impregnator to seal it. I believe the impregnator is available at home depot. While shopping for the slate I found a huge price difference between two local distributors for what was essentially the same thing, one offered ungauged and unsealed 16"x16" tiles for around $5.50/sf and the other offered the same size tiles but gauged and sealed for more than double the price. I opted for the ungauged and unsealed knowing my tile guy would apply sealer anyway. The tile turned out to be extremely consistent in thickness, very durable, and was easy to install. We've had no flaking as of yet. I have since learned that Brazilian multi-color slate is a favorite of architects because it is much more even and less prone to breakage than many other types. As far as cleaning, it hides the dirt very well. I've found sweeping with a soft broom the best way to keep it clean. If you are quick to clean up spills with hot water and a little dishwashing liquid it will hold up against staining however it is porous and will tend to absorb spills that are left on it. That is all part of the look and also gives it character with age. It is installed over radiant heat which is quite comfortable. We have about 500 square feet of it on our first floor, I don't find it hard on the feet at all, and I rarely wear shoes in the house. I don't know how to upload pictures to this forum but if you'd like to email me I'd be more than happy to send you some photos of it. Good luck with your decision!...See Moreeandhl
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