Stone Age-old Question, I know...soapstone vs granite
Chanin Gilman
6 years ago
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
in search of better counters: soapstone vs. AB honed granite
Comments (12)I've been on several soapstone blogs over the last couple of years and as someone who has a soapstone counter with a soapstone sink in a bathroom for 25 years, I think I am qualified to talk to you about soapstone. My soapstone came from a well known company in Vermont--I'm sure you have come upon the name if you've been researching soapstone. It was a light grey when new and because I liked the black color, I oiled it and oiled it and oiled it. It is the bane of my existence. Thank goodness it is in a powder room or I think I would rip it out. Hand soap, soap from shaving or any organic product will lift the oil from the stone in places causing the light color to show through. It then looks awful. The company suggests one keep an oiled rag under the counter for touch-ups. That should tell you something. Now do you want to oil a dirty sink? If you don't, then you will have to clean it, say with an oiled soap, and then that will remove even more of the oil. Now you will have to do a major oiling job. Whoever decided that soapstone doesn't need oiled but every 6 to 8 months must not be using the counter. If you can find a color of soapstone you like without oiling it then maybe it would work but I believe it will now show oil spots. I don't think you can win with soapstone. I'd find another alternative. I know that the word laminate is not a popular one on this forum but I know someone with a high end house with beautiful cherry cabinets and yes, laminate counters. Her three young children eat on it, do crafts on it, spill everything imaginable on it and after 5 years still looks like new. I don't know why laminate gets no respect when it now comes in so many wonderful colors and textures. Just my opinion....See MoreGranite quote - 2 cm vs. 3 cm granite
Comments (30)We have somewhere around 140 sf of granite in the kitchen; big kitchen with big island plus a buffet separating kitchen and family room. So the $14k price from the second place is about $100/sf (for both material and install). This is a quote for the exact type of granite we chose - we went to yards to look at various slabs and chose the Blue Eyes as the one we liked the look of best. Then our GC sent out the dimensions of our requirements to the two shops for quotes for our specific requirements. From what I have seen/read the Blue Eyes is on the expensive side, it reads more as a gray with blue highlights than blue, but it does have the blue which I guess adds to the expense. But DH is in love with it... The Costa Esmerelda slabs are cheaper - $8500 installed for 4 slabs. I think we're about 110 sf there (quote includes slab granite for shower walls in addition to counter and tub) so about $77 per square foot. I think what we've chosen is on the more expensive side for granite; funny how it seems to work out that way. Original allowances from our contractor were $10k for kitchen and $4k for bath, so we're over that (bath one was for granite countertop and tile shower, but I'm really leaning towards the granite for both and no grout!)...See MoreAqua Grantique Granite Questions
Comments (7)IF - this is the "Aqua" that's quarried in Mosinee Wisconsin by Krukowski Stone (REALLY GOOD FOLKS THERE by the way) - I can tell you that it's a GORGEOUS alternative to Soapstone, and it's a US made product. As for what I would recommend (polished or honed) I like the honed, and even a leathered finish. This stuff is a very unique geological makeup that has some of the qualities of Granite, but I believe that Jeff Krukowski told me that it's a "Gneiss" when I was at his facility back in May of 2011. If you get it in a Leathered finish - it will "show" the best (in my opinion) and the seams will be really hard to detect unless you are right on top of them........ Follow your heart - IF this is the same stuff I'm thinking it is - you'll be very happy with the stone AND the service from Krukowski Stone - and Their "Aqua" hth kevin Here is a link that might be useful: Krukowski Stone's Website where you can find Aqua...See MoreAsh vs. oak? Soapstone vs. granite?
Comments (11)How particular are you about things looking pristine? What is the style of your kitchen? I love soapstone...it's unbeatable with regards to being stain-proof, heat resistant, and etch-proof. However, most will scratch fairly easily. If you are OK with the patina of a well-used (and well-loved) counter, you may like the soft, silky feel of soapstone. Scratches can be sanded out, btw. Also, most soapstones are fairly light when left natural; they darken when oiled (oil + beeswax works best based on testing done by Joshua a couple of years ago). Over time, soapstone will darken somewhat naturally. When in use, though, you will probably see "oil" spots that will fade in a day or so, but they may be noticeable until then. If you are someone who would be bothered by the scratches & nicks or oil spots, I would consider something else or see if you can find one of the harder soapstones and test it (scratch & dent as well as "oil" testing). What is the style of your kitchen? If formal, I'm not sure if it would fit in with the style. I do not have soapstone, for two reasons (1) my DH did not want it as it reminded him of the chemistry lab tables from high school and (2) in the end, I think my transitional kitchen was a little too "formal" for soapstone. *sigh* I really wanted it! (I have polished Absolute Black Premium granite and do love it & given the same circumstances, I would get it again...but I did want soapstone!) Now, a couple of notes about something I know you did not ask about but that I feel need to be noted: "...a large Jenn-Air grill on the island..." Are you venting the grill from above? This is crucial, especially with a grill and doubly so b/c you are putting it in an island (more & stronger air currents than when installed along a wall). The vent hood should be... At least 6" wider than the cooktop (e.g., 42" hood over a 36" cooktop) B/c of the grill, I might recommend going 9" to 12" wider... At least 27" deep Strong cfms to enable clearing the smoke faster/better (grills tend to smoke a lot) - at least 1,000 (you will probably need make-up air unless you have an old, leaky house...which is actually good for air quality!) If you plan to install the hood higher than the specs say to, then make sure the hood is even bigger & stronger! As smoke, steam, fumes, odors, etc. rise, they rapidly spread. If you install the hood higher than recommended, that means the smoke, fumes, etc. will most likely spread too far for the hood to capture...so oversize it! (6" wider is probably fine if you mount the hood according to specs, but if you mount it higher...make it wider!) Will you have enough safety margin around the cooktop? At least 24" on each side (more would be better) If no seating at the island, at least 18" behind it (24" would be better) If seating at the island behind the cooktop/grill, at least 24" behind it (That could be a 9" deep cabinet behind the cooktop......See MoreChanin Gilman
6 years agochiflipper
6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
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6 years agoSabrina Alfin Interiors
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agoBeth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoQuartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoathome inva
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6 years agoChessie
6 years agoathome inva
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoChanin Gilman
6 years agofriedajune
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 years agoChanin Gilman
6 years agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 years agomarcaevans
6 years agoJane Gray
6 years ago
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