soapstone countertop

Re: soapstone countertop

Chuck Bender

>Ted,

I don't think any one type of soapstone is superior to another. It's primarily a matter of personal taste. I've used VT soapstone in my own home as well as in a few client's homes. They're a great company. Easy to work with and willing to help. Just remember that soapstone isn't granite. It's softer but it's impervious and will not stain like granite. The downside is it takes a little more work to maintain but, personally, I like it better.

Are you planning on doing the job yourself or have someone install? It's pretty easy stuff to work. It's just heavy. Whichever way you go, good luck.

Re: soapstone countertop

Mike Johnson - Chicago

>Ditto!

Hardness and veining/color are wear and 'beauty' preferences that are strictly personal. (that is assuming the hardness is "architectual grade" versus "sculpture grade")

We self installed Alberene and love it~

Lastly, as you research further, you will begin to find out that very little is still mined in the US...the large majority comes from South america...the rest from Canada, India and Finland...and a just little bit still from the US!

Re: soapstone countertop

Jeff Mackay

>Hi Ted:

We installed countertops of soapstone tile about 4 years ago. The tile was significantly cheaper than slabs covering the same area. I think we bought it from the Vermont soapstone company, but the soapstone itself came fram Brazil.

After four years of experience with the countertops, we would probably choose granite slabs today. Maintenance is a bit of a hassle--wiping them down with mineral oil. Be ready to do it weekly for the first month or two, monthly for the first year, and probably once a quarter after that.

While soapstone is very dense and heavy, it is easily gouged and scratched. Dropping a glass on the countertop will result in a gouge--but the glass will very likely not break. While you can sand scratches out, gouges are another story. We don't bother trying anymore, and just consider the scratches and gouges part of the "character" of the kitchen. Last but not least, we don't like the grout lines on the countertops. Of course that wouldn't have been an issue if we weren't too cheap to install slabs to begin with.

When they're freshly oiled, the countertops look great. Overall, we're satisfied with our choice. We just wouldn't make the same choice again.

Jeff