DIY Soapstone Countertops?

[willtel]

Does anyone here have any experience with this? I've done some research and it appears that soapstone is soft enough to be worked with normal woodworking tools and good DIY results are possible. I found a few places online that sell ready to cut slabs or slabs cut to your measurements. My kitchen isn't too large and there would most likely be only one seam. Any advice or suggestions?

Here is a decent guide I found. http://www.randomjottings.net/archives/001467.html

[dad911]

If it is soft enough to be cut with home power tools, it is going to scratch under use and require maintenance.

I did my own corian tops, 15 years ago, when they were all the rage. Can't even use a stoneware plate or bowl, leaves scratches. Going to replace with granite.

Granite is down in price, lots of suppliers now. Shop around.

[JavaBrewer]

Agreed. Granite is readily available and more affordable than ever.

[Instrument 41]

Soap stone looks really nice but if you are going to use your kitchen a lot go with granite, or seamless stainless.

[porsche4life]

If you go with granite be sure to go through with all sealing procedures.

[88-diamondblue]

Looks great! I have looked at the soapstone sinks for my kitchen. Talk to one of the suppliers you have found to see how to polish the surface if it get scratched. You may have to seal soapstone also. You can scratch and chip granite as well. It's difficult to refinish while installed. Soapstone as I remember can be sanded to refinsh. Go for it...

[herr_oberst]

Take care of it, and soapstone will "weather" into a nice patina. Hi-maintenance, sure, but so is a birdcage maserati. Granite? Bulletproof. Concrete? the latest craze, and really nice looking.

[look 171]

What do you want out of a counter is what I ask my client all the time? If you want bulletproof then granite is your answer. You can get honed black absolute. It doesn't look like typ. granite you see because it isn't polished. You can't get it in pre fab. slabs. Designers here have been using it for a while. I like soap stone but I don't like the maintaince. But, hey its lilke a butcher block top. You have to take care of it. Treat it once in a blue moon. Concrete is the latest trick top. We have done a couple. Hire a pro for that. They can do a better job. Most people think that's a do it yourself type thing and are unwilling to pay for it. It ain't that easy. average cost around here is about 75 bucks per sq'. That's whats going in my next home. to answer your question, yes you can machine it with router and regular saw blade. As long as its carbide. I cut a hearth with a diamond blade and lots of water with a worm drive saw. sand and finish with sand paper ( I wet sand to get that honed look to match).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by dad911

If it is soft enough to be cut with home power tools, it is going to scratch under use and require maintenance.

I did my own corian tops, 15 years ago, when they were all the rage. Can't even use a stoneware plate or bowl, leaves scratches. Going to replace with granite.

Granite is down in price, lots of suppliers now. Shop around.

What finish did you do on your Corian? I helped install Corian tops in my in-laws's kitchen, they went with a matte finish that has held up well over 5 years of hard use (10 kids). They avoided a gloss finish specifically because of scratching concerns. The actual install and finishing was not difficult, if you can do Formica you can do solid surface.

[jyl]

One of my friends has a black soap stone kitchen counter with a big apron-front sink built up from soap stone slabs. It looks great. She uses her kitchen a lot, and wants it to get a patina, to look used and comfortable.

Some people I've talked to about kitchens lately have been rather negative on granite. These are normal people, not designer types. Their view is that the typical polished granite look is getting too common, too cookie-cutter. I dunno, I still think it looks nice.

[HardDrive]

willtel, we have friends with soap stone and they HATE it. Everything ends up scratching it and leaving marks.

We have 3cm granite (just installed 2 weeks ago) and we love it. There are so many choices for granite. Amazing variations in color/pattern. We looked at honed, but in OUR opinion, its honed that is getting played out. Black honed....ya, ya, how 2007.

[danneva]

Originally Posted by look 171

I like soap stone but I don't like the maintaince.

Soapstone looks naturally beautiful and therefore it is a preferred material for countertops. Soapstone, as the name suggests, feels smooth and waxy to touch, just like touching dry soap. Nevertheless, it is very durable and ideal for countertops. It is a metamorphic rock and is formed under the earth’s surface. It takes millions of years to reach its texture and durability, and has to be quarried just like any other natural stone.
Nothing negative will happen to your soapstone if you choose not to apply mineral oil, or if you forget to apply mineral oil. Soapstone naturally darkens overtime on its own. Use mild soap and water to clean your soapstone countertops. Because soapstone is dense and non-porous, it is very germ and bacteria resistant. Soapstone is naturally a clean surface. You can use any common household cleaners on your soapstone counters. You do not have to worry about staying from ammonia based cleaners, like you would with granite and marble.