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HELP!!!! Undecided about "Soapstone" behind the stove as backsplash?

8 years ago

I've been told not to use Marble stone material behind the stove
as backsplash. My plan B it's Soapstone - Please share your
experience about this beautiful unique stone.

Thank you in advance!

KBC

Featured Answer

Honu3421

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I was just thinking we haven't had any soapstone posts in a long time! I have soapstone counter tops with a full height soapstone back splash behind my range top and am very happy. (marble for remainder of back splash). The only thing I notice is the occasional grease splatter which is easy to clean up and would be the case with any back splash. It rarely needs oiling because it is not a work surface and therefore not subject to water or soap. If it works with the other elements in your kitchen, I say go for it.

edited to add: soapstone is usually 3cm thick and in my case the cost to cut it down to 2cm was out of sight. Be sure to evaluate thickness as it compares to the rest of your back splash.

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Comments (11)

mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years ago
I have neither behind the range (no soapstone at all), but do you want marble? There are a lot of kitchens with marble behind the range: Images

Here is a link to some GW threads about marble backsplashes--you can scroll down to pick the pertinent ones. GW discussions--marble backsplashes
lizeth505 thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
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Which color pulls did you want to use? I think the ones you've selected would look nice in an oil-rubbed bronze finish, but I'm not sure I like the other options. And I misunderstood the question about the backsplash. I now realize you want to run it ONLY behind the sink, not for the full length of the counter run. I think you should do a mockup of the look to see if it suits you. Most of the pics I find with an extra-tall bs behind the sink have the short 3-4" bs behind the rest of the counter. Why don't you mock it up with cardboard? If you get some corrugated cardboard, and maybe spray paint it black or charcoal, you can tack it up to the wall and see if you like it behind the sink alone, or want to blow the 450 and get the short bs piece too. Keep in mind that if you choose the sink-only option you can probably also change your mind later and get short bs pieces of the same type of soapstone, if you have a stone yard nearby that offers precut but not installed soapstone. They only put those backsplash pieces in with silicone caulk, so if you have the option of buying a precut piece, you can install it yourself. So whatever your choice, it's not necessarily unchangeable.
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flamingfish
8 years ago
You can get soapstone tiles for a backsplash, although I have no idea whether they're widely available. Stonemasters soapstone tiles
lizeth505 thanked flamingfish
Rudebekia
8 years ago
You'll find lots of soapstone discussions by doing a search.
lizeth505 thanked Rudebekia
cpartist
7 years ago
Dontcha just love spammers like Katie Aym
Honu3421
7 years ago
I flagged KA's post. I won't bother to flag her other posts.
designsaavy
7 years ago
My soapstone samples were really heavy, so I can imagine how heavy a solid backsplash would be . Add lots of support! :-)
mom2sulu
7 years ago
I was planning on having a soapstone backsplash behind my gas range top, but it couldn't be done. It was due to the style of the range(somehow regarding the clearance space and how my walls were constructed) and I had already purchased the range top. Make sure you work with your soapstone fabricator before purchasing your appliance so that it all works out. It is one of my kitchen regrets.
Fori
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I put marble (slab) behind my cooktop in my last kitchen. Most marble doesn't stain--it just etches. Honed marble makes it less obvious. I think it's perfectly fine behind the range. Soapstone is good too (really it's better if you like the look), but don't give up on marble cuz someone says you have to!

ETA--I am in the 2cm slab part of the country.
Meris
7 years ago
I have soapstone counter tops, and decided to put hot rolled steel as my back splash. I love it, and I really like that it isn't very thick. Glad I went that way, not sure it would've worked with my sided in range.

I would guess you'd want to oil it to keep it more uniform and not splattery.
Xochitl
7 years ago
I'm not familiar with soapstone tile but we did soapstone backsplash and window ledge with our counter. The fabricator I went with could not hone the soapstone, so it was all the same thickness as the countertop, which is around 1 1/4". There was only one fabricator who had the capabilities to hone the soapstone down to something thinner. Don't know if that will be a factor for you.

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