[Greenbuilding] Green counters?

[rigaziodesigns]

Just my two cents about soapstone: We have had them in our kitchen for the
past year and really love them. Yes they are soft, but that only means it
gets surface scratches. In my house it gets lots of use and it has gotten
that well worn look that a wood counter would get. It shouldn't crack like
granite or marble could because it is more dense. It is also less porous so
it doesn't stain or need sealing to keep it clean. I have my questions about
it's "greenness" since it is not sustainable and is mined. However, there
are quarries all over the world so in theory it is "abundant" and you should
be able to find relatively local sources. I was sold on it for the following
reasons: as a natural product that can be used as is without any processing,
no VOC, requires little or no maintenance once installed, can be fabricated
in the field with regular tools since it is so soft, very durable and clean
if you can stand the "worn" look, when the life as a counter is over it can
be reused for a variety of other things and finally it was our experience
that they were significantly cheaper than other products including other
stone products.

Just my experience.
Lisa


On 7/6/06, Debra Lombard <dlombard at retec.com> wrote:
>
> soapstone is so soft I would not recommend it for a countertop.
> It's used commonly for carving sculptures. I even broke a granite counter
> putting a phone handset down once.
>
> Debra Lombard, LEED AP
> Sustainable Design Specialist
> The RETEC Group, Inc.
> 900 Chapel St., 2nd Fl - Box 9
> New Haven, CT 06510
> Tel: 203-868-0137
> Fax: 203-773-3657
> dlombard at retec.com
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