Questions for potential Soapstone Fabricators

12 years ago

Can some of you please give me some ideas on what to look for in a soapstone fabricator? My GC's fabricator is experienced, and says he has done soapstone installs, but I want to ask him a few questions to figure out if he knows his stuff. For instance, why, when and how, should I expect sanding...is it only to smooth the seams and edges, or is there more to this? Thanks for any help.

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Comments (9)

donatelolee
12 years ago
You can give this guy a call (512) 820-0100 a soapstone fabricator expert. all your questions will be answered you won't regret it. check out the website too www.soapstonefabricators.com

Here is a link that might be useful: SoapstoneFabricators
holligator
12 years ago
I would ask him about the maintenance of soapstone. One guy, who claimed to me that he knew all about soapstone, told me that it was extremely porous and had to be sealed. Since I already knew those things to be false, that comment told me all I needed to know about the guy.

Ask about the pros and cons of different varieties of soapstone. There are tremendous differences among them. For example, the softer varieties are far easier to fabricate, but some people find them more difficult to live with. Some scratch more than others. Some varieties are naturally darker than others, so there's less need to oil the stone to maintain the darker color. If he knows soapstone, he should know these things.

Also, ask to see some of the soapstone jobs he has done. At the very least, ask for the phone numbers of his soapstone customers. I have had several people come to my house to see the work of my fabricator, and I'm more than happy to show off the wonderful work he did. I've also had a few phone calls from people asking about his work, and I am as happy as I can be to rave about it.

If you do have the opportunity to talk to or visit his customers, ask them in particular about seams and the finish of the soapstone. Seams should be virtually invisible with a good soapstone installation. The finish should be silky smooth, and it should not get water spots.
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gayl
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the info. I will ask to talk to some clients...I've picked my slabs already. Not a ton available here, but I found one I like well enough, even though it is softer than I had wanted. I'm still confused about sanding...is that just to even things up after install or does the whole counter have to be sanded? I have read so much here about poorly sanded finishes affecting the SS. I have done several searches, but am not coming up with the info I know is here. Thank you.
rmaxharrj
12 years ago
We had our soapstone counters installed about a month ago. They sanded them in the workshop before they got here (I believe to 120 grit). Then they sanded some more while they were installing them, mostly to even the seams out after different pieces were epoxied together, but also on certain patches of my big island piece. My understanding is that I can maintain them through sanding out gouges or other oopsies myself, if they need it. So far I haven't had the guts to try anything (and they don't need it yet either).

You should ask about the final sanding level they use and whether you will be able to maintain the finish fairly easily. I think a harder stone can handle a more highly smoothed finish than a softer one. Also, a slightly rougher finish on the softer stones tends to help hide any scratches. But that's just a guess on my part.
breezygirl
12 years ago
Hi Gig Harbor. Where did you end up finding the stones? Crocodile Rocks? Pental?
gayl
Original Author
12 years ago
The reason I am asking this question is that one fabricator I talked to said that the stone comes sanded from the stone yard...and acted like that was all there was to it....??? I just wanted to know the details of the sanding process (what, how, why, when, etc.)before I ask more questions.
rmaxharrj
12 years ago
They can sand it to the level you want, but the 'best' level will vary according to your particular stone and your individual preference. You should feel the slabs in the yard and see if they are OK for you. If not, you need to investigate further and ask for more information about what level the fabricator recommends and why.
laranbrian
12 years ago
The will have so sand the seams on site after the counters are installed to even everything up. My SS is sanded to 120 and I think I may take it up to 220 or even 400. I'll see how the 120 does over the next few months (I haven't had a chance to live in my new kitchen yet!). Several people have had trouble with spotting etc and the level of surface finish is likely the key.

Rmax, how's the 120 finish doing for you?
MIssyV
12 years ago
BUMP...Major bump up! I talked to a fabricator today about their Green Mountain soapstone, and I get the impression they are not that familiar with it. In fact, he said they don't sell much of it, (which equals we don't fabricate too much of it).I asked about sanding and he said "we don't sand it, just cut and install." He acted as though he never even heard of sanding ss. I don't want to go in acting like a know it all, but I also want to be educated and make sure I am happy with my final outcome. What should I be asking when talking to this fabricator?