1. Where is the soapstone quarried?
All of the soapstone that we use is quarried in Quebec,
Canada, and comes from the same quarry that produces soapstone
for our wood and gas stoves. TOP
2. Why is it called “soapstone”?
Good
question! Soapstone has a very high talc content, and it
feels soft and slippery to the touch-almost silky (if that
adjective can be applied to a rock). Sometime, many years
ago, someone called it “soapstone” and the name stuck. The name “soapstone” was
much more descriptive than the chemical name-magnesium silicate.
Many people assume that soapstone is a man-made material because
of the “soap” prefix, but it's not. Soapstone is quarried just
like granite or marble, then cut and fabricated. TOP
3. Does soapstone
come in different colors?
Because the stone we use is from
Canada, it is all predominately gray, with subtle tones of
green and blue. Each piece of stone does have a unique grain,
but remains within the same basic color palette. Soapstone
from other countries may have a somewhat different color
palette. For example, soapstone from Brazil tends to be dark
gray or brown. Some soapstone from Africa is almost pink.
It is the variation of trace minerals found in soapstone
that determines the color and overall hardness of the soapstone
from different quarries and areas of the world. TOP
4. Why do
you recommend soapstone for kitchen counters?
Soapstone is
heat resistant and non-absorbent, so it's the perfect material
for kitchens-where hot pots and pans and occasional spills
are inevitable. It cleans easily, especially if a sealer
has been applied. It has an earthy look and feel that other
solid surfaces just can't match. TOP
5. How does soapstone compare
to granite?
Soapstone has a more interesting grain than granite
and has a warmer look and feel. It is softer than granite
and, unlike granite, it is not polished to a high-gloss finish.
Choosing which stone to use in a kitchen application (soapstone,
granite, slate, etc.) is a lot like choosing what type of
wood to use for floors or kitchen cabinets. You will want
to consider durability, maintenance, and price along with
the “look, tone, and feel” of the material. We are biased in
favor of soapstone (obviously), and we use it to build wood
and gas stoves as well as countertops. In an ultra-modern kitchen,
granite would be a great choice. But in a kitchen designed
to radiate warmth and hospitality? It's soapstone every time! TOP
6. Can soapstone be left untreated?
Natural soapstone is
beautiful. However, in a kitchen counter application we prefer
to apply a sealer to the finished counter. A sealer will
maintain the natural grain and color of the stone without
darkening it, and make cleaning spills and stains almost
effortless. An alternative to sealer is to apply mineral
oil. Mineral oil will darken the stone considerably and require
periodic re-oiling to maintain the dark finish. If you are
uncertain which you will prefer, you can try applying mineral
oil to the underside of one of the counters before you install
it. TOP
7. How often will I need to re-apply the sealer or the
mineral oil?
We recommend washing the counter and applying
a new coat of sealer approximately every two years. Mineral
oil will require more frequent maintenance. Areas that receive
heavy use (around the sink, for example) or repeated cleaning
will need more frequent oiling-perhaps every six months. TOP
8. How durable is soapstone?
Soapstone is extremely durable
if it is treated properly. Most people invest in stone counters
because they like they way they look. Your soapstone counter
will look as beautiful in 50 years as it does when you first
install it-provided you use a cutting board for cutting,
a hot pad for hot dishes (to protect the oil finish), and
you wash it with warm, soapy water periodically. Soapstone
requires basically the same care needed to preserve any beautiful
countertop material. TOP
9. Doesn't soapstone scratch easily?
Soapstone is relatively soft and yes, it can be scratched
if treated carelessly. But, any scratches the soapstone sustains
can be easily removed by buffing with fine steel wool. One
of the things that we really like about soapstone is that
it is possible to repair almost any serious damage. A severe
chip or gouge can be repaired with two-part epoxy mixed with
soapstone dust and small pieces of stone. After this filler
sets, it can be sanded down and blended with the surface
so that it virtually disappears. This is something that you
can't do with hard stone or synthetic countertop materials. TOP
10. How will the stone be shipped?
We ship countertop stone
by truck. The stone is shipped standing up on a pallet. It
is braced on the sides and thoroughly cushioned on the bottom,
on the sides, and between slabs to prevent breakage. We insure
each shipment against damage. If the stone arrives damaged,
you will receive a prompt replacement. TOP
11. Can it be delivered
to my house?
It is less expensive, easier, and safer to pick
up at a terminal, or to have the shipment delivered to a
business. A pallet of countertop stone can be very heavy
and difficult to unload at a residential address. Large tractor-trailer
trucks are often not welcome in residential neighborhoods,
and the expense of a residential delivery is considerable.
We have helped thousands and thousands of stove customers
arrange for delivery over the years, so if you have any questions
about arranging delivery, please call our Customer Service
Department at (800) 866-4344 during normal business hours. TOP
12. Who will do the installation?
A soapstone countertop
can be installed by any capable carpenter or contractor.
Installation requires careful measuring, fitting, and seaming.
Shimming is sometimes necessary, and the surface should be
polished after installation. These are the same basic steps
that you would go through to install any stone, composite,
or wood counter. Soapstone is softer than granite or marble,
and is easier to work with than those materials. The edges
of soapstone can be routed and the stone itself can be cut
with good quality carbide tools. We will do as much, or as
little, of the fabrication as you want. We can fabricate
the whole countertop, including building a soapstone sink to fit,
or we can just ship stone slabs with one side sanded and you
or your contractor can fit and finish the counters. TOP
13. Can
I do the installation myself?
Yes-if you are mechanically
inclined. If you would be comfortable installing a countertop
made of Corian or Formica, you could certainly install a
soapstone countertop. We will provide you with thorough written
instructions, a DVD, and toll-free telephone back-up from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., six days a week. Don't be intimidated
by the newness of the material; just call us and we'll walk
you through it. And if you are not mechanically inclined,
any competent contractor or business specializing in kitchen
design and installation can take on the project. TOP
14. Do I
need a template?
Yes! You will either have to send us a template
or send us a sketch from which we will make a template for
you. Either way, we produce a template for every finished
countertop we ship. It's the best way to verify your measurements
and make sure that the counter will fit exactly the way you
want it to fit. To get going, simply make a drawing of your
existing (or planned) countertops from a top view. Include
any cut-outs for sinks, stovetops, or other structural parts
of the house. We can use this to give you an “estimated” price.
The next step will be to determine the size and location
for holes for faucets, spigots, soap dispensers, and so on.
If you are installing a new sink, most sink manufacturers
will provide you with a template for the sink opening. Lastly,
you'll have to decide how much of an overhang you want on
the front of the kitchen cabinets (normal is about 3/4 ”)
and over the sink (if the sink is an “undermount” sink). TOP
15. How much does soapstone
weigh?
Soapstone weighs 180
pounds per cubic foot. The 1-1/4” countertop weighs 19 pounds
per square foot. A typical 26” x 48” slab of countertop stone
weighs about 165 lbs. TOP
16. What is the thickness of your countertops?
Our
countertops are 1-1/4” thick, and backsplashes are 3/4 ” thick.
If you have a particular need for a different thickness,
please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 866-4344
and we can discuss your requirements. TOP
17. How do you join two different
pieces?
We use a two-part epoxy to join pieces of soapstone.
If two pieces are carefully seamed with clear epoxy, the
joint is almost invisible. Remember, we have complete instructions,
an installation video, and telephone support to make sure
that all of your questions get answered-even while the job
is underway! TOP
18. What is the maximum size slab that I can
buy?
Most of our countertop slabs are 48”-54” long.
We will cut the slabs to whatever width you need. We occasionally
have large or odd-shaped pieces, so if you have special needs
please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 866-4344. TOP |
