Replies

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Jul 12, 2005 04:31pm | #1

   Garrison,

   My suggestion would be to not try to pick just one IF you are going to have multiple counters. (you can stagger the heights and depths if need be on a single run to make it all work.)

   Granite is great next to the oven or cooktop, (high heat resistance) but personally I think it's not the wisest choice near a sink (if you knock over a glass, it's going to break.

   Butcher block is great for a food prep area, just don't cut directly on it with a knife.

   Corian or Formica around a sink work well, as they have some "cushion" to them, the former having the advantage that you can do seemless construction.

   WSJ

2. 
   BryanSayer | Jul 12, 2005 06:46pm | #2

   We looked at a natural stone called "green stone" that we really like. Think green soapstone with out the work of oiling.

   One thing I discovered about counter tops is that many of the suppliers won't start anything until the cabinets are in place, and the lead times can be substaintial. Be sure to check about this when you are looking.

   And personally, I like what can be done with tile. Easy to integrate the backsplash, and can be done without waiting on a shop. Which means you can start as soon as the cabinets are in. If you integrate the back splash in, I think it looks better to pick a tile that has the correct base cove type trim pieces. Swimming pool tile has lots of trim pieces, and is generally very reasonable in price.

   Also, be sure to use a stain proof grout, like epoxy.

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | Jul 13, 2005 04:33pm | #3

   wow, I'm picturing soapstone in my mind's eye - that's a really pretty idea for a countertop that I've not seen used very often.

    Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   BryanSayer | Jul 13, 2005 07:18pm | #5

   First place I've ever seen it is here in Columbus at a place that does nothing but countertops ('Counter Culture' is the name). Harder than soapstone, no oiling, heat resistant.I don't believe that you can have the integrated sink like with soapstone, but I'm not positive. Of course any undermount type sink that doesn't glue/weld into place will work.We may spring for it when we re-work some of our kitchen. But perhaps not, as we don't plan on staying here.

2. 
   VaTom | Jul 13, 2005 07:47pm | #8

   Soapstone's not uncommon around here.  Almost all is Tulikivi from Finland.  Which is odd as we have a local soapstone quarry, once owned by Tulikivi.  We're headed to the quarry soon to negotiate with them.  They also offer custom quarrying, which is very interesting as an alternative to Tulikivi's standard ~2'x4' slabs.

   Here's an example of Tulikivi: http://www.e-virginiatile.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=33PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

3. 
   andybuildz | Jul 13, 2005 08:18pm | #9

   I recently fabricated the soapstone I purchased for the first time. I LOVE IT! Very durable. Doesn't stain. Can easily be sanded. I saved thousands cutting it myself and the inital cost was less than marble and granite and corian typs.
   I think it has a real warm look to it. Did I say I love it? And I'm a builder thats installed and seen most everything (cept that green thing he's jawin' about).
   And with all the dust I made sawing it I saved it to make my wife cosmetics...heh heh....after all they do use it for that don't they?
   edit: By the way soapstone is the most dense of any stone countertop which is one reason it doesn't stain...hard to believe looking at it's warmth that its more dense than granite.
   Be well
   a...
   PS...here's the Co. I used. Great prices and fantastic to deal with!!!
   http://www.soapstones.comThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means.. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

   Edited 7/13/2005 4:47 pm ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)

1. 
   budgee | Jul 13, 2005 09:43pm | #10

   specifically which type of saopstone did you purchase from the Jersey company , I see they stock multiple choices?

    

   Thnks

   Scott

1. 
   andybuildz | Jul 13, 2005 11:44pm | #12

   I got the Santa Rita...its mostly all black with some real nice white veins every here and there...but mostly black.The nicest and most expensive is the Cobra but be prepared to wait "months" for that which is why I didn't get it(the wait).
   Be well
   a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

   When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

     I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

   I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

   I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

   and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

    

    

    

    

2. 
   budgee | Jul 14, 2005 12:26am | #13

   Thanks for the reply Andy.  I actually got samples of all their stones.  The wife like the Cobra best(surprise)  I will have to see whats available?

   S

2. 
   MikeK | Jul 13, 2005 07:32pm | #6

   Bryan,

   I would like to find out more about this "Green Stone".  Is there a website?Mike K

   Amateur Home Remodeler in Aurora, Illinois

1. 
   BryanSayer | Jul 13, 2005 07:46pm | #7

   The best I can do is send you to the web site for the store,
   http://counterculture.cc/You can contact them and see if they have any more information. I'm sure they should have something, as counters is all they do. She said is was called, simply, 'green stone'. Maybe one word.

3. 
   kevreh | Jul 13, 2005 04:46pm | #4

   We're using Silestone quartz tiles. The company that sells the countertops also sell it as tiles. You can do a counter with it for a fraction of the price of Silestone. Quartz is probably the most stain/burn/scratch resistant material you can use.

   http://www.e-counters.com/eTile/eChoose.cfm

   Kevin

4. 
   AuntBarb | Jul 13, 2005 10:35pm | #11

   Caution about black shiny granite - wil show crumbs, fingerprints, water spots, etc. according to an article in Inspired House.

   I plan to put darker counters - depending on what I can afford, on the perimeter of my kitchen, and stainless steel, preferably brushed or otherwise treated to reduce sheen on a combination prep area for vegetables,etc. with a trough sink and the cook top in an island.  Super sanitary and virtually indestructible.  A trick of my son who had stainless steel counters made to fit over existing laminate counters - they were noisy, so he used a heavy layer of polyester batting between the two to dampen the sound and make them quieter. 

   I think that the personal work flow of a kitchen owner-user is more important than anything and how you actually want to use the kitchen.  I've spent several years   researching books and magazines for the best ideas and I plan 1. to elevate the dish washer to make it more accessible with a drawer underneath to hold whatever., 2. to install drawers for dishes in the lower cabinets rather than use overhead shelves. and 3. to install drawers instead of cupboards in most of the undercounter areas.  I don't want to have something fall out of an overhead cabinet and split my lip as happened a year ago! So, the drawers will probably have to be custom to accomodate the depth needed for various tools and things such as olive oil, PAM, salt that are regularly used in cooking. And, I plan several uppercabinet pull-outs for canned goods, cereal, etc. zoned to area of primary useage.

   Since I am a visual person, I want my small appliances - mixer, blender, etc permanently on a counter behind lift up doors with plenty of outlets so that they are readily accessible to be used in place or pulled out further on the counter.    And, since there are always things to be "charged" today, I want an undercounter outleted area to put all of that stuff.  Last, but not least, I also plan a niche for the pet bowls off of the floor and out of the way, probably in the side of a cabinet. 

   My goal is to end up with a kitchen easy to work in with room for more than one.  And, I would bet the goal of my family is to see my visible counters uncluttered!  Another goal is to keep works in progress intact on one counter top so that there will be little opportunity to drop things on the floor.

   Since my kitchen is not really too big - the kind the magazines consider too small to feature, I will probqably have to find an architect to make sure I haven't missed anything and that it will all fit.  But, I am confident that "my kitchen" will function better than the one I inherited from the previous homeowners.

   Aunt Barb

5. 
   Dinosaur | Jul 14, 2005 02:04am | #14

   You probably don't need end-grain butcher block for the food prep counter; not unless you plan on doing prep on a commercial level. 2x2 strip maple glued and clamped with threaded rod will make a very nice counter. Cut right on it, put hot pots down on it, do whatever you want to it, wash it with boiling water once in a while if you've been doing a lot of butchering, scrape it with a pastry scraper when you've been making bread or pie crusts, there is no counter material I know that is more versatile. You won't need to refinish it completely but once in 10-15 years (depending on you). Refinish consists of pulling it outta there and running the belt sander over it at 80 then 120 grit. Wipe/vaccuum clean and hit it with olive oil. Done....

    

   Dinosaur

   A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...

   

   But it is not this day.

1. 
   garrison31 | Jul 14, 2005 05:49am | #15

   Thanks to all of you for your help on this. I am glad that we have a long time to plan this out!

     Don

6. 
   byrnesie | Jul 14, 2005 06:27am | #16

   stainless steel with a marine edge, rolled backsplash and integrated sink- I've done 2 for people that really cook- they love it the light scratches give it a nice used look and it's always clean and sanitary- and the industrial looks great with hardwoods, paint' and tile

1. 
   SusanJ | Nov 01, 2005 03:58am | #17

   Hi Byrnesie,

   I read your contribution in the Fall Breaktime column.  I want such a sink and countertop but have not been able to locate one.  I see them in OLD houses but can't find a new manufacturer of a large single stainless steel sink with integrated drainboard.  Can you point me in the right direction?  Thanks.

   SusanJ

1. 
   rvieceli | Nov 01, 2005 05:05am | #18

   Elkay makes some that might fit the bill. but you may be able to have a local stainless fabricator make something for you for similar prices. Also check out used restaurant supply places in your area for sinks.