Replies

1. 
   Mongo_ | Apr 17, 2001 09:04am | #1

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   Keith,

   You picked my two favorite natural stones for countertops...both slate and soapstone make fabulous countertops.

   In a sense, they are somewhat similar...fine grained, they look best in a honed finish. Essentially impervious to stain, acids, alkali, and hot pots can be placed upon them.

   Soapstone can scratch, but scratches can easily be sanded out.

   Slate typically has a flat edge with the corners slightly eased.

   Sopastone is a bit more versatile...it can be worked with carbide woodworking tools, and router bits can be used to give decorative edges.

   Both work well around water, hot, and cold kitchen work areas. They're chemically inert and non-reactive. Some slates are more porous and may need a sealer.

   Slate will hold its initial color...new soapstone has a blueish coloration that eventually turns darker, a charcoal/gray-type color. Your intaller will (should) direct you to rub it down with mineral oil once a week or so for the first few months to help out with the transformation.

   Soapstone makes a fine sink as well...in the style of the old farm-style sinks.

   It's easy to get both in thick slabs...2" slabs make great countertops...without the cost being prohibitive.

   I've not used "Firestone" (Fireslate?). Fireslate is portland cement-based. I think thicknesses are fixed at 3/4" and 1 1/4"...though the product might be able to be laminated to build up the edge. I'm really not too sure. It's slightly porous and does need sealing.

   Good choices...should be a beaut of a kitchen!

1. 
   Mike_Maines_ | Apr 17, 2001 03:05pm | #2

   *I got a windfall supply of old Chem lab tables with Fireslate tops, very heavy, seems stainproof, but man...HARD to keep clean. Pretty much have to dry-buff it after sponging it clean, or it shows dirty/soapy streaks. No more black counters for me.The softer grays of slate and soapstone are great, though. Finishing soapstone with mineral oil makes it dark and wet-looking, but I think you can leave it alone and get a more natural, aged look. Depends if you like things to look new forever, or if you think things look better with some wear marks.Mike

1. 
   Ed_Hilton | Apr 17, 2001 10:47pm | #3

   *Ok, I'm going to show my ignorance here...my only experince with soapstone is the markers you use on steel for layout before using a cutting torch. They seem fragile to use as a counter. Is it the same thing?Didn't I see an article in FHB or FWW about 2 years ago about the fireslate now available in colors?

1. 
   Mike_Maines_ | Apr 18, 2001 12:34am | #4

   *A job I was on had Vermont Soapstone come to do the counters, on their way home from doing Martha Stewart's kitchen in CT. They cut everything on site with skilsaws, cleaned up with routers and grinders. The very fine powder that was everywhere felt soapy, they said that's all baby powder was. Don't know about the markers for steel. Maybe there's a grain along which it's fragile?Mike

2. 
   Keith_Towse | Apr 18, 2001 12:34am | #5

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   We're not into granite, but can't decide which of the above we should go install in a new home. Does anyone out there have any experience of these, good or bad? Horror stories, or rave reviews?