Regretting my soapstone countertops
meaganebrown
9 years ago
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Rudebekia
9 years agoVertise
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Countertop Help Soapstone and Wood or just Soapstone
Comments (4)I am in the middle of planning my kitchen. I will have both soapstone and an endgrain butcher block on one the the smaller separate counters. I did this because I know my family and they will not be able to resist the temptation to cut on the counter. Doing the butcher block will give them an area to make sandwiches and snacks ....See MoreWill I regret soapstone? Another option?
Comments (39)I have a question for soapstone folks - my contractor has a slab of soapstone that may be available to me at a good price because of another homeowner who tends to "change her mind." I'm considering it for our laundry room (layout discussed here - would love your opinion on that too!) Do you think that is wise or no? It's darker than I originally planned - and I know that it's a soft stone. That said, there is no "colored" sauces or use like that, just water if anything. No cutting - maybe sliding of laundry baskets on the counter but we actually use Bungalow Scout Junque Trunques so they are soft. Would a few drops of bleach wreck it though? And, because of it being a laundry room, I'm thinking of it more as in a classic, classic look. My house is a 1917 Colonial so while a big laundry room on the 2nd floor is certainly NOT period to the house, soapstone would have been. With some subway and a simple tiled floor, it could be pretty, especially as the stone ages. For those of you with soapstone, do you think that's advisable or a bad idea? THANKS!...See MoreSoapstone kitchen countertops or not? Pics of my kitchen now.
Comments (22)lyban: Thanks for the link. WOW!! What a beautiful kitchen!! I really need to purchase a Photoshop program that actually works with Vista and play with the different back splashes. Thanks for stoking the soapstone fire. caroleoh: I have to admit I have not done much as far as researching soapstone or other substitutes. I've liked it for so long and I didn't think of other alternatives. I'm such a novice when it comes to counter tops and I'll look into honed granite. Thanks for the advice chloe45: I live in Orange County, CA and I've found 3 dealers and this includes Los Angeles. I'm the opposite of you where I like the imperfections and patina of soapstone. It's very me. I just wish it didn't have to cost so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your advice. I'm taking everyone's opinion into consideration and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post. deee: Is that really soapstone?!?!? It looks just like the real deal!! I was quoted $98.00 a square foot and that didn't include the demo of my tile. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME THIS!! Possibly another option. kswl: Thank you for your positive post!! My home is as livable as you can get with 3 kids, 1 dog, 1 snake, 4 goldfish and 44 kids on the same cul-de-sac. My backyard is a virtual pet cemetery. I've gone back and forth about the island. I love that look. My neighbor has a green distressed island, which looks more like furniture and its exquisite. My DH on the other hand does not like that look. I normally just override these decisions but lately he's been right more than wrong. Thank you so much for your advice....See MoreCounter regrets/satisfaction (concrete, soapstone, slate)
Comments (6)Stone: Pros & Cons Pros: Sinks can be undermounted and some stones can can handle hot pans (but some cannot, so be careful) and can resist most stains if properly sealed and maintained. Many suppliers of soapstone, marble and travertine can also provide matching sinks. The material is available in a great many colors and patterns. Cons: The major drawback of all natural stone is that it is to some degree porous and requires periodic sealing, usually once a month. Stone can stain and be scratched and leaves watermarks if spills are not immediately cleaned up. The calcium-based stones, marble, travertine and limestone, are very susceptible to damage by even mild acids such as vinegar or lemon juice. Soapstone is very easily stained. Even water will leave marks. However, all but the deepest scratches and stains can be buffed out. Soapstone can be renewed with a light sanding or even scouring with a ScotchBrite pad to remove surface stains. Seams between slabs can be very evident especially if the surface has a clear or plain pattern. Stone can contain natural fissures that look like cracks. These are harmless but many homeowners do not like the look. Soapstone The look of soapstone is timeless and historically accurate for almost any period of American architecture. It is warmer, denser and heavier than granite but not nearly as hard. The primary ingredient in soapstone is talc, about the softest mineral around. It can be scratched with a fingernail but rarely are scratches more than superficial and can be removed with an application of mineral oil. More severe scratches disappear with fine sandpaper or even a scouring pad. Unlike granite and most of the other natural stone countertops, soapstone is almost impervious to water penetration, unaffected by acids or other kitchen chemicals, and absolutely heat resistant. These are some of the reasons it is the preferred material for countertops in chemical laboratories. Even the hottest pans can be set on it without harm. Since it is almost impervious to liquids, it does not require sealing. But, it does stain. Even water leaves a mark. Soapstone afficianadoes don't mind -- it's all part of the patina that gives soapstone its unique look. Stains are easily removed, but it is bothersome to keep it looking new and unblemished. So, those who are not afficianadoes may want to stay away from it. Classic soapstone from New England is light gray to almost black, often with a greenish tinge, but the material can range from light brown to terracotta depending on its source and treatment. Very little soapstone is now quarried in the U.S. Most comes from Brazil. A soapstone surface darkens naturally with age or when exposed to water or oils. To darken it evenly, soapstone can be treated with food-grade mineral oil. The darker it gets, the more light grey or gray-green veins stand out adding to soapstone's appeal. New "dry wax" coatings have been developed that replace mineral oil and last longer, but are, of course, considerably more expensive. Many soapstone fans, however, simply let it age naturally over the years, adding a patina of wear and use. But, renewing soapstone is easy &msash; simply sand away the old surface for a brand new look. Repeated restorations are possible over many years. Concrete: Pros & Cons Pros: Can be formed into just about any shape. Has a unique feel. Can be polished to a high shine or left dull. Increasing number of colors and finishes. Cons: Pricey, very easily stained, high maintenance. Can have a definite "industrial" look about it. Can chip and crack, although these defects can be invisibly repaired in many instances. Concrete is hardly a new materia. It has been around for centuries. But, the concrete used in countertops bears only the slightest resemblance to the stuff in your driveway or sidewalk. What has been done to concrete has to be seen to be believed. Concrete countertops are the very latest thing among the California and New York glitterati. In fact, a number of well-known kitchen designers are predicting that concrete may one day eclipse granite as the up-scale countertop matrials of choice. It may seem odd to use a pedestrian material like concrete in a kitchen or bathroom -- unless the bathroom is attached to a gym or the county jail --" but in fact concrete countertops are warm and attractive with an almost unlimited choice of finishes and colors. Concrete: crack, although these defects can be invisibly repaired in many instances. Concrete countertops may be formed in a studio, then installed much like natural stone slabs. This process, however, leaves joints that must be filled. Poured-in-place concrete countertops are one seamless unit. The disadvantage of this method is that it is a huge, gigantic, incredible mess. The forms for the concrete are assembled on top of already installed cabinets that have to be protected. Often the floor is also finished, another protection problem. Once the forms are in place, then the concrete is usually carried in by the bucket-full - many buckets-full in fact. Then it must be carefully tinted, finished and allowed to cure for several days while being kept damp so it does not crack. Obviously all this is quite the chore -- and one best left to the pros. There are additional drawbacks. Concrete countertops are expensive -- more costly than natural stone in most places. They are so heavy that the cabinets (and sometimes the floors) under them may have to specially reinforced. Concrete typically develops hairline cracks due the natural shrinkage of curing concrete. Some people like the look of age that the cracks suggest. Others hate the idea. Concrete, like natural stone and unglazed tile, has to be sealed and resealed periodically. It is, in fact, fairly high maintenance if it is to be kept looking "new". Many owners, however, like the "character" of concrete that is showing a little use. Within the last five or so years, regional and nationwide sources of concrete-based products have emerged. Unlike locally-made countertops, these are composite products -- a combination of some very special concrete blends used as a binder, and a filler material. Most manufacturers of concrete composites seem reluctant to call the binder "concrete". It's a "natural mineral binder" or "fiberous cement" or "eco-ceramic cement". It's really just concrete, but not "just concrete". It's concrete on steroids: More flexible and up to 10 times stronger that regular concrete. None that we have looked at recently showed any evidence of shrink- or stress-cracking, so those problems appear to have been conquered in this third generation of concrete formulations. Filler materials may be stone, shells, paper, glass, metal or just about anything else, often mixed together in interesting ways. The goal of the filler is three-fold. It adds "green" content to the material by using post-consumer waste. It reduces the serious weight of concrete to something approaching merely back-breaking. And, fillers dramatically change the look of the resulting material. IceStone, for example, looks like very expensive terrazzo because of its high glass content. The greenness of the product, even with eco-friendly fillers, is suspect, however, since concrete itself is not especially green. It requires a lot of energy to manufacture. But, many of these products qualify for U.S. Green Building Council LEED credits, so at least someone thinks they are fairly eco-friendly. Every manufacturer has its proprietary concrete recipe which is a closely guarded secret. Concrete does not naturally bind to glass -- glass is too slick. So the concrete must be especially formulated if the finished product is not to be seriously weakened. Other fillers like paper and stone aggregate are less of a problem. The material is cast into large slabs and left to cure, then polished to expose the filler and refine the surface. A high polish, very unlike anything ever seen on ordinary concrete, is very possible with these products. Just like solid surfacing or engineered composite countertops, composite concrete is typically shipped in large slabs to be fitted and installed by a local countertop installer with the special tools, training and experience to cut shape and polish the material. Some manufacturers, however, will cast the countertop to size, eliminating local cutting, shaping and polishing, and most manufacturers will also make sinks and other accessories to match. Some allow the buyer to select his own filler and finish. For more information on the choices of countertop materials for kitchens, and the pros and cons of each, follow the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: New & Traditional Countertop Choices...See More
Swentastic Swenson
9 years agoMary4070
9 years ago
PROJoseph Corlett, LLC
9 years agolavender_lass
9 years agodebrak2008
9 years agoVertise
9 years agoscpalmetto
9 years agobus_driver
9 years agolavender_lass
9 years agomarcolo
9 years agoquadesl
9 years agoitsthedetails
9 years agomeaganebrown
9 years agoThank you for all your responses to my post. The information you've provided is very helpful.
Swentastic and others mentioned that perhaps the stone has been polished too fine and that is why it scratches easily. I've read that sanding it with something like 80 grit will help the stone not scratch so easily. Another thread mentioned EcoFabrication in Austin (my town) that came and resurfaced their soapstone and the result was no more scratching. However, this company is no longer in business.
The installer is willing to do anything so that we are happy with it. Maybe I should try having it sanded down? I actually prefer to not oil the stone because I prefer the lighter gray, however it may be necessary to hide the scratches and oil marks.
I'm posting a picture of my soapstone from the first day when it was installed and before any scratches or oil marks marred the surface.
I
Oaktown
9 years agodenise142
9 years agoSwentastic Swenson
9 years ago
cookncarpenter
9 years ago- PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago cookncarpenter
9 years agoitsthedetails
9 years agocevamal
9 years agoHydragea
9 years agomeaganebrown - I'm sorry I couldn't answer your questions about wax and oils. The reason I'm posting is because I really want soapstone, but posts like yours make me nervous! Really nervous!
ctyctm and other soapstone owners - Is this the patina I should expect with Barroca?
[Farmhouse Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2114) by Grand Rapids Media & Bloggers Alison Hodgson
and this:
[Farmhouse Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2114) by Grand Rapids Media & Bloggers Alison Hodgson
and this:
[Farmhouse Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2114) by Grand Rapids Media & Bloggers Alison Hodgson
and this:
[Farmhouse Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2114) by Grand Rapids Media & Bloggers Alison Hodgson
The above is something I can live with. Apparently this person has only oiled her counters twice in three years.
**edited to acknowledge OP's original post**
This post was edited by Hydragea on Sat, Nov 8, 14 at 20:02
texaspenny
9 years ago
itsallaboutthefood
9 years agoitsallaboutthefood
9 years agoCEFreeman
9 years agoscpalmetto
9 years agocevamal
9 years agojuddgirl2
9 years agoeandhl
9 years agocookncarpenter
9 years agoscpalmetto
9 years ago
karin_mt
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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