soapstone countertops?

"Charlene Charette" <[email hidden]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops? How do
you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

They will, and also chip if abused. I like them very much, but they need
some care. A careful person would have to do little, but my friend's
slaphappy housekeeper has done violence on hers. They can be reground and
rebuffed. I don't have them here, I have marble which is equally
vulnerable. And can be repaired too.
--
http://www.judithgreenwood.com

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops? How
do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

--
A no smoking section in a restaurant is like a no peeing section in a
swimming pool.

email perronnellec at earthlink . net

Sorry I can't help with the 'soapstone' question, but I can direct you
to the August 2007 issue of the Consumer Reports magazine. The cover
page has the title "Great Kitchens for Less," along with "10 most hyped
kitchen products and what to buy instead." Page 24 of said issue is
about "Countertops -- The hottest Rocks" except I don't see any mention
of soapstone. The other topics in this issue are: flooring, cooking
appliances, refrigerators, dishwashers, detergents, sinks & faucets,
appliance stores, and contractors (etc.). HTH.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:36:31 -0600, Sky <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops? How
do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

--
A no smoking section in a restaurant is like a no peeing section in a
swimming pool.

email perronnellec at earthlink . net

Sorry I can't help with the 'soapstone' question, but I can direct you
to the August 2007 issue of the Consumer Reports magazine. The cover
page has the title "Great Kitchens for Less," along with "10 most hyped
kitchen products and what to buy instead." Page 24 of said issue is
about "Countertops -- The hottest Rocks" except I don't see any mention
of soapstone. The other topics in this issue are: flooring, cooking
appliances, refrigerators, dishwashers, detergents, sinks & faucets,
appliance stores, and contractors (etc.). HTH.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to send the following links to my
kids, who are new owners of old homes that need kitchen remodels.

Here's the link to consumer reports
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cu-press-room/pressroom/archive/2007/08/0708_eng0708kit.htm
or
http://tinyurl.com/2xbnd4

Quartz is harder than granite, prettier too (IMO)
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/06/30/consumer-reports-august-2007/
"Quartz is the best choice for classy but tough kitchen countertop
It looks comparable to granite, but is slightly cheaper and wears much
better. CR recommends staying away from butcher block unless you enjoy
devoting tons of time to counter maintenance. (p. 24) "

Articles regarding soapstone
(better for rustic style kitchens, apparently)
http://interiordec.about.com/od/kitctrsoapstone/Kitchen_Countertops_Soapstone.htm
"True Soapstone is inert. Alkalis and acids won't affect it as they
will a granite, marble, or slate. For over one hundred years,
soapstone sinks and tiles have been used in science class rooms and
labs along with work tables and counter tops. Its longevity to long
term - high traffic use is amazing!"

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,203434,00.html

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2007/07/qa-which-counte.html

HTH2

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smiley face first

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops?
How do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch
easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

Soapstone is relatively soft. I wouldn't use it for countertops Granite,
maybe. Marble? Yikes, it chips! Even Corian has problems. The thing that
seems to last longest and is the least pretentious is formica. Trust me,
this stuff isn't going anywhere. But of course, that can't be seen in an oh
so never used for cooking kitchen.

Jill

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops?
How do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch
easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

Soapstone is relatively soft. I wouldn't use it for countertops Granite,
maybe. Marble? Yikes, it chips! Even Corian has problems. The thing
that
seems to last longest and is the least pretentious is formica. Trust me,
this stuff isn't going anywhere. But of course, that can't be seen in an
oh
so never used for cooking kitchen.

Jill

I'm guessing that you know more about counter tops than the people that
build and install them.
But, then again, you are the expert on everything.

NOT!

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops? How
do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch easily.

Soapstone countertop? I can't see that. We used to carve soapstone in art
class. It is very soft and very brittle. The only advantage I can see is
that it it scratches you can rub it will oil and get s shiny finish again,
but it will still be scratched.

Charlene Charette <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the
design phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops
when the hubby suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have
soapstone countertops? How do you like them? My main concern
would be if they scratch easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

Too soft for me and my usages.

"sandi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlene Charette <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the
design phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops
when the hubby suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have
soapstone countertops? How do you like them? My main concern
would be if they scratch easily.

Thanks,
--Charlene

Too soft for me and my usages.

Soapstone is really nice looking. Put it in an area for baking, then let
him do some baking so he'll be spending some time there enjoying it as well
as refreshing it if it needs it.

We got new counters and it took us a long time to decide granite or quartz.
We chose Cambria vs. Silestone or Zodiak because it had in the upper grades
patterns that were closer to granite in looks.

Dee Dee

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. Does anyone here have soapstone countertops? How
do you like them? My main concern would be if they scratch easily.

Quoting from:
http://www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/harts1/HARTS_library/sculpturehazards.txt

Serpentine, soapstone, and greenstone may contain
asbestos, which can cause asbestosis, lung cancer,
mesothelioma, and stomach and intestinal cancers.

Quoting from:
http://www.baughnormanoils.com/specific_materials.htm

For example, sandstone, soapstone, and slate may
contain asbestos. New York soapstone contains
asbestos. Always wear a good quality dust mask
respirator (not a nuisance filter), goggles, and
gloves as necessary and use water spray over the
sculpture to keep the dust down.

Strange Brew said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. �I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. �Does anyone here have soapstone countertops?
How do you like them? �My main concern would be if they scratch
easily.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks,
--Charlene

Quoted message said:

Soapstone is relatively soft. �I wouldn't use it for countertops�Granite,
maybe. �Marble? �Yikes, it chips! �Even Corian has problems. �The thing
that
seems to last longest and is the least pretentious is formica. �Trust me,
this stuff isn't going anywhere. �But of course, that can't be seen in an
oh
so never used for cooking kitchen.

Quoted message said:

Jill

I'm guessing that you know more about counter tops than the people that
build and install them.
But, then again, you are the expert on everything.

Actually even if she didn't know and just guessed she still guessed it
all correctly.

Soapstone is too delicate for countertops, however it was once very
popular and highly coveted for kitchen/laundry sinks.. Soapstone
stains very easily but one of its desirous attributes is that with use
it develops a very dark hued and rich patina. Soapstone is still very
popular with the artsy fartsy set for all sorts of sinks, tubs, and
bath fixtures/accoutrements.

Charlene Charette said:

We're building a new house next year and are currently in the design
phase. �I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when the hubby
suggested soapstone. �Does anyone here have soapstone countertops?�How
do you like them? �My main concern would be if they scratch easily..

Thanks,
--Charlene

--
A no smoking section in a restaurant is like a no peeing section in a
swimming pool.

email �perronnellec �at �earthlink �. �net

Soapstone is pretty --but much too soft for my kitchen, I have had
formica, it scratches easily and sometimes fades, corian,- it stains
easily and if you put something hot on it , it will burn, Granite, is
gorgeous, and wonderful for baking, and you can set hot pans on it
too, Have had mine for three years and have not had a problem of any
kind with it so far, and it looks wonderful.
Rosie

"Mark Thorson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoting from:
http://www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/harts1/HARTS_library/sculpturehazards.txt

Serpentine, soapstone, and greenstone may contain
asbestos, which can cause asbestosis, lung cancer,
mesothelioma, and stomach and intestinal cancers.

Quoting from:
http://www.baughnormanoils.com/specific_materials.htm

For example, sandstone, soapstone, and slate may
contain asbestos. New York soapstone contains
asbestos. Always wear a good quality dust mask
respirator (not a nuisance filter), goggles, and
gloves as necessary and use water spray over the
sculpture to keep the dust down.

So? They will be countertops, not being sculpted. NO chance of catching
anything when it just sits there.

"rosie" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Granite, is
gorgeous, and wonderful for baking, and you can set hot pans on it
too, Have had mine for three years and have not had a problem of any
kind with it so far, and it looks wonderful.

I did a quick measure of my countertops for the survey, Ron
said, you measuring for granite countertops? No! I wish!!
When I had my kitchen redone, granite wasn't so widespread,
I didn't think it was even feasible to afford it. I regret it. My
formica is showing its age.

nancy

"Nancy Young" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"rosie" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Granite, is
gorgeous, and wonderful for baking, and you can set hot pans on it
too, Have had mine for three years and have not had a problem of any
kind with it so far, and it looks wonderful.

I did a quick measure of my countertops for the survey, Ron
said, you measuring for granite countertops? No! I wish!!
When I had my kitchen redone, granite wasn't so widespread,
I didn't think it was even feasible to afford it. I regret it. My
formica is showing its age.

nancy

Jill says Formica is the only option because granite (and others) ship and
stain too easily. You'll just have to live with your old Formica.

Edwin Pawlowski said:

So? They will be countertops, not being sculpted.
NO chance of catching anything when it just sits there.

They might be cut to size on-site.
And holes drilled for faucets.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Nancy Young" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"rosie" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Granite, is
gorgeous, and wonderful for baking, and you can set hot pans on it
too, Have had mine for three years and have not had a problem of any
kind with it so far, and it looks wonderful.

I did a quick measure of my countertops for the survey, Ron
said, you measuring for granite countertops? No! I wish!!
When I had my kitchen redone, granite wasn't so widespread,
I didn't think it was even feasible to afford it. I regret it. My
formica is showing its age.

nancy

Jill says Formica is the only option because granite (and others) <ship>
and stain too easily. You'll just have to live with your old Formica.

That's supposed to be "chip" not "ship" but the cost of shipping could
possibly fit in the equation somewhere.

Sheldon said:

Strange Brew said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlene Charette wrote:
> We're building a new house next year and are currently in the
> design phase. ?I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when
> the hubby suggested soapstone. ?Does anyone here have soapstone
> countertops? How do you like them? ?My main concern would be if
> they scratch easily.

Quoted message said:

> Thanks,
> --Charlene

Quoted message said:

Soapstone is relatively soft. ?I wouldn't use it for countertops
?Granite, maybe. ?Marble? ?Yikes, it chips! ?Even Corian has
problems. ?The thing that
seems to last longest and is the least pretentious is formica.
?Trust me, this stuff isn't going anywhere. ?But of course, that
can't be seen in an oh
so never used for cooking kitchen.

Quoted message said:

Jill

I'm guessing that you know more about counter tops than the people
that build and install them.
But, then again, you are the expert on everything.

Actually even if she didn't know and just guessed she still guessed it
all correctly.

I wasn't guessing. I've lived in a lot of houses in my lifetime, in many
different places. All with different types of counter tops. Soapstone is
the last thing I'd have installed in my kitchen.

Jill

Mike said:

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Nancy Young" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"rosie" <[email hidden]> wrote

> Granite, is
> gorgeous, and wonderful for baking, and you can set hot pans on it
> too, Have had mine for three years and have not had a problem of
> any kind with it so far, and it looks wonderful.

I did a quick measure of my countertops for the survey, Ron
said, you measuring for granite countertops? No! I wish!!
When I had my kitchen redone, granite wasn't so widespread,
I didn't think it was even feasible to afford it. I regret it. My
formica is showing its age.

nancy

Jill says Formica is the only option because granite (and others)
<ship> and stain too easily. You'll just have to live with your old
Formica.

That's supposed to be "chip" not "ship" but the cost of shipping could
possibly fit in the equation somewhere.

I said soapstone is too soft, marble chips and so does granite and Corian.
I never said formica is the ONLY OPTION. But hey, I've lived in the same
place for 10 years and the formica hasn't needed to be replaced. Because...
wait for it... I don't cut things on the counter top. I use a cutting
board. Hello!

jmcquown said:

Sheldon said:

Strange Brew said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Charlene Charette wrote:
>> We're building a new house next year and are currently in the
>> design phase. ?I was all set to put in Silestone countertops when
>> the hubby suggested soapstone. ?Does anyone here have soapstone
>> countertops? How do you like them? ?My main concern would be if
>> they scratch easily.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> Thanks,
>> --Charlene

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Soapstone is relatively soft. ?I wouldn't use it for countertops
> ?Granite, maybe. ?Marble? ?Yikes, it chips! ?Even Corian has
> problems. ?The thing that
> seems to last longest and is the least pretentious is formica.
> ?Trust me, this stuff isn't going anywhere. ?But of course, that
> can't be seen in an oh
> so never used for cooking kitchen.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Jill

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm guessing that you know more about counter tops than the people
that build and install them.
But, then again, you are the expert on everything.

Quoted message said:

Actually even if she didn't know and just guessed she still guessed it
all correctly.

I wasn't guessing. �I've lived in a lot of houses in my lifetime, in many
different places. �All with different types of counter tops. �Soapstone is
the last thing I'd have installed in my kitchen.

Jill

You're really losing it... that was a compliment, I took your side,
you idiot! LOL Jill, I do believe you suffer from clinical paranoia.

Sheldon