Countertop Brochure - Woodstock Soapstone Company

SOAPSTONE IN YOUR HOME...
Soapstone
Sinks & Countertops
Nature’s Elegance for Function,
Durability & Lasting Pleasure
WOODSTOCK SOAPSTONE CO., INC.
66 Airpark Road West Lebanon, NH 03784
Toll-Free 800-866-4344 www.woodstove.com
BACK COVER
SOAPSTONE
Woodstock Soapstone Co., Inc., 66 Airpark Rd. West Lebanon, NH 03784
-1-800-866-4344 www.woodstove.com
FRONT COVER
Why Soapstone?
d Naturally beautiful with unique grain & marbling
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock - a rock that has been transformed or “morphed” into
something else by intense heat and pressure, which helps to explain its handsome and earthy
texture, grain and color. Part of soapstone’s charm is that it is somewhat translucent, as a
result of silicaglass fusing with the other minerals which comprise soapstone.
d Non-porous.............................................
Soapstone is non-porous, non-staining, and won't etch. For decades soapstone was used for
chemical laboratory sinks and countertops in most schools in the United States because it was
resistant to most reagents and/or reactants - in other words, acids and chemical compounds
wouldn't etch the surface. These non-absorbent qualities make it perfect for use in the
kitchen, where spills are unavoidable.
d Proven durability.....................................
Many of the soapstone countertops, sinks, and stoves manufactured in the 1860’s are still in
service today, after more than a century of hard use. The longevity of these products is a
testament to the durability of soapstone. With proper care and maintenance, it is reasonable
to expect soapstone sinks, stoves, and counters to last for several generations.
d Feel...................................................
Soapstone has a pearly, wax-like luster, and always seems to invite a touch. Its natural patina
is warmer and softer to the eye and the hand than granite, marble, glass or steel. Like fine
wood, or leather, or fur, soapstone just plain feels good to the touch! That’s how it got its
reputation for being “rock hard and smooth as silk”.
d Forgiving..............................................
Finally, one of the long term benefits of using soapstone is that it is both easy to work with,
and also easy to repair, should the need arise. In the unfortunate event that your countertop
should be accidentally chipped, gouged, or nicked, it is relatively easy to make a seamless
repair using very small pieces of soapstone in an epoxy slurry and then sanding the surface
to mesh grain and color. (See our Countertop DVD for an example).
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Soapstone is a versatile work surface and the perfect finishing touch
Dear Friend,
Soapstone sinks and
countertops are another
great way to bring the
“warmth of soapstone”
into your home.
Soapstone has an earthy
look and feel that no other stone can match. It's the
perfect material to express warmth and hospitality in
your kitchen.
Soapstone Is Ideal For The
Kitchen - The Heart Of Your Home
The kitchen is the main gathering spot for family and
friends, and it's used for everything from preparing
meals to doing homework to working on craft projects.
The kitchen is probably the hardest working room in
your house. The materials you use in the kitchen need
to be able to stand up to all this, and look good as
well. Soapstone is just as beautiful and hardworking
as your kitchen.
Soapstone Is
Beautiful...
And Practical
The rich grain of
soapstone will
delight your eye, and
its silky feel will
always feel good to the
touch. But soapstone
also has practical
benefits. It is nonabsorbent and won't stain,
whether the spill is wine,
tomato juice or coffee. It
won't crack, warp or burn
when exposed to red hot
pots or cookie sheets.
Neither acids nor alkalis
will etch or discolor
soapstone. It's easy to
clean and has a lovely
matte finish. And finally, if
you are a do-it-yourselfer,
it's easy to work with and
install.
Unsurpassed
For Durability
Soapstone has withstood
the test of time. Soapstone sinks, countertops, and
laundry tubs that are over 150 years old still grace
many old New England homes (along with soapstone
stoves, hearths, mantels and fireplaces). And for over
a century it has been used for countertops and work
surfaces in school chemistry labs because of its dense
and durable composition. From
your grandmother's laundry tub
and Robert Frost's kitchen sink to
today's kitchen
renovations, soapstone has
been popular because of its
durability, low
maintenance, and price,
along with its incredible
look, tone, and feel.
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Also Ideal For Bathroom Vanities,
Fireplace Surrounds, Furniture
Tops...
The same characteristics that make soapstone a perfect
choice for your kitchen also make it a good candidate for
use in other areas of your home. Its beauty and
durability make it a logical choice for bathroom
countertops and tub surrounds. Tiles of soapstone can be
used to make an elegant fireplace surround. Soapstone
will also make a pleasing furniture top.
Let Us Build A Custom Sink
And Countertop For You
Our soapstone sinks and kitchen countertops are fabricated
to your specifications and then shipped by truck to you. Use
our Quick Pricing Guide on page 10 of this booklet to
estimate the overall cost of your new counters. We will
provide you with a complete estimate and a drawing after
we receive dimensions and/or a template from you. You
can send your dimensions to us by mail, fax, or email at the
addresses below. If you
have any questions, please
call us at 800-866-4344.
Warm regards,
Tom Morrissey, President
Woodstock Soapstone Company, Inc.
66 Airpark Road
West Lebanon, NH 03784
Fax: 603-298-5958
Email: info@woodstove.com
Why is it called
“soapstone”?
Good question! Soapstone has a very high talc
content, and it feels soft and slippery to the touchalmost 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 manmade material because of the “soap” prefix, but it's
not. Soapstone is quarried just like granite or
marble, then cut and fabricated.
Does soapstone come
in different colors?
The stone we use is from Canada, and it is
predominately gray, with subtle tones of green and
blue. Each piece of stone does have a unique grain,
but is 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.
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.
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Kitchen Countertops
a
Bathtub Surrounds
PAGE 5
a Soapstone
Furniture Tops
Sinks a
Fireplace Mantels
Planters
Pizza Stones a
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How To Order and Install Your New Countertops
(4) Sand The final step to
finishing the seam is a light
sanding. We use 4 ought steel
wool to lightly sand the area
for a smooth, barely visible
seam.
P Measure......
P Layout.......
P Mark..........
P Backsplash..
P Edging.......
Whether you are building or remodeling, ordering
soapstone countertops from Woodstock Soapstone is a
simple process. The first step is to make a sketch of
your countertop with detailed measurements. The
standard countertop thickness is 1 and 1/4 inches. We
will need to know the overall length and depth of your
countertops. Remember to include the overhang.
Once the overall dimensions are marked on your
sketch, measure and indicate where there will be any
cutouts (sinks, faucets, and so on).
After we get your sketch we will create a paper
template based on your measurements and send it to
you. This will help you to double-check your
measurements and make sure that your countertops
will fit just the way you want them to. Once you sign
off on the template and return it to us, we cut your
soapstone countertops exactly to the agreed upon
specifications.
If you are replacing countertops in an older home,
you may run into something unexpected. And, as any
builder will tell you, even new construction is rarely
100% level and plumb. However, with a few shims, a
good level and some patience, your new countertops
can be adjusted to fit perfectly.
To install your countertops we recommend a simple, 4
step process: (1) Dry fit, (2) Mark, (3) Epoxy, and (4)
Sand. You will receive complete installation
instructions with your new countertops, but here is a
brief description of the steps you will have to follow:
(1) Dry Fit Before joining any seams, fit the entire
countertop on your cabinets. If you have an
undermount sink, be sure to attach it to the
appropriate piece of stone and be sure that the sink
will fit where it is supposed to go. This is your
opportunity to insert shims where they are needed.
(2) Mark When you have the panels in position, use
some masking tape and a square to mark a straight
line across each seam. This will help ensure the panels
are lined up correctly when you epoxy them together.
Check the overhang and the flushness of each joint.
(3) Epoxy The seams are joined with epoxy. Epoxy is
a very strong bonding agent that once mixed, becomes
hard in a short time. It is a good idea to wear latex
gloves because epoxy bonds to skin as well as
soapstone.
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We will custom fabricate
your countertop to
accommodate whatever
appliances you have. A
soapstone backsplash
provides a clean, smooth finish to the installation.
Each piece of backsplash is
secured to the wall with
construction adhesive. Seams in
the backsplash are joined with
epoxy just like the countertop
panels.
Custom
Sinks
How does soapstone
compare to granite?
The finishing touch for your
new soapstone countertop is to
protect the surface with a light
coat of sealer. If you like the
darker stone look, mineral oil is
used to seal the surface and
provide a uniform finish. If you
prefer the look of natural stone,
you can use Impregnator 511 to seal the countertops
and maintain the lightness of the stone.
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.
Soapstone is a beautiful, natural material that
brings warmth and beauty to any room. In the kitchen
especially it evokes a sense of history. Many New
England farmhouses still use soapstone sinks that were
built generations ago. With our custom fabrication
and complete “do it yourself” instructions, you too can
transform your kitchen with the beauty of soapstone.
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!
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Prices/Shipping Estimates
QUICK PRICING GUIDE
Based on the weights above, the table below offers
some sample shipping costs. Obviously shipping
Countertop Soapstone: (1.25” thick sanded one side)…...$60.00 /sq. ft. costs vary from one area to another, but this table
Backsplash Soapstone: (0.75” thick sanded one side)…... $45.00 /sq. ft. will give you some idea of the possible range of
costs.
1. Material Cost
2. Fabrication Cost
This is the labor charge for edging, cut-outs, faucet holes,
spline supports, and other custom work, based on a labor
rate of $40.00/hour. For estimating purposes, standard
charges for edging, sink cut-outs, and splines are indicated
below. Sink cut-outs typically take 4-6 hours.
Edging Countertop (eased edge, 1/4 ” radius or bullnose) $2.00 lin. ft.
Edging Backsplash (eased edge or 1/4 ” radius)………. $1.00 lin. ft.
Labor rate ……………………………………… … $40.00 per hour
Sample Shipping Costs
Product
Sink Only
Weight
225 lbs.
Philadephia, PA 19137
$130
Jacksonville, FL 32254
$130
La Salle, IL 61301
$130
Austin, TX 78724
$130
Eugene, OR 97402
$130
4-30"x 4' 4-30"x 4' 6-30"x 4'
Slabs Slabs w/Sink
Slabs
910 lbs.
1135 lbs. 1290 lbs.
$145
$145
$145
$205
$230
$265
$150
$160
$180
$275
$310
$350
$285
$325
$370
3. Crating Charge
We charge a flat $32.00 for each shipping pallet. Countertop
stone is shipped standing up on edge on a pallet, with side
braces and styrofoam cushions under the stone, as well as
on the sides and between pieces.
4. Shipping Charges
Shipping charges will vary according to your location and
the total weight of the shipment. More recently shipping
charges have also varied with gas prices (when gas prices
go up, the trucking companies add a fuel surcharge to
recover their additional expenses). The two tables below
will give you a rough idea of what shipping your new
countertops might cost. The table below will give you an
idea of what different countertops might weigh:
Sample Shipping Weights
Actual Weight
4' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (1 - 4' slab)
190#
8' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (2 - 4' slabs)
380#
12' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (3 - 4' slabs)
570#
16' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (4 - 4' slabs)
760#
20' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (5 - 4' slabs)
950#
24' x 30" x 1.25" Countertop (6 - 4' slabs) 1140#
Sink 27"L x 20"W x 9.75"D
115#
Weight w/ Crate
340#
530#
720#
910#
1100#
1290#
225#
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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.
“The kitchen is the heart of our home. When my husband and I
decided to remodel, we wanted countertops that were affordable,
attractive and functional. Here at the kitchen counter I not only
knead, roll, chop, sort, and feed the family; it's also the place for
homework, projects, visiting, planning and nurturing. Soapstone is
the perfect work surface, practical and sophisticated without the
ostentatious glare or cost of granite. I love it.”
-Adrienne Cedeno
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