Slate countertops are seldom seen in kitchens. Of course, outside the kitchen, slate is well known as a strong and sturdy building material used on floors and roofs. As a countertop, it is quite durable and offers a look that ranges from rustic to classy.
Consider slate tops as an alternative to granite or limestone countertops. It's durable and unique in the kitchen.
Countertops
Slate Countertop Colors
Slate comes in colors . . . dark to light green, mottled purple, deep purple/turquoise, red, gray, and black. Its surface is usually honed matte finish.
You can also recognize it by its natural cleft surface. The cleft slate
Slate is a metamorphic stone derived from sedimentary shale and clay. It formed on ancient sea beds. Essentially, it's compacted mud. It is a siliceous stone, like granite, and will not react to acids (vinegar, lemon juice).
Slate is perhaps the strongest material you can use for a kitchen countertop. Its extremely low absorption rate even beats granite countertops. And most slates are considered stain-free. Only the gray and black stones require sealing since they are more absorptive than other shades.
Like granite, slate is heat resistant. You can't hurt it or discolor it with hot items. Slate is soft and will scratch. Because it's soft you can lightly sand the scratches to remove them or you can leave them and enjoy the natural character of the stone.
Keep in mind slate comes from smaller slabs than granite which means you will have more seams in your countertops. Slate countertop prices should compare favorably with granite. And even though slate tops are fabricated similarly to granite tops, your fabricator may not be accustomed to working with the material. Be sure you ask for their familiarity with slate. See Stone Fabricators for more.
If you want a quiet, elegant, nature-like countertop, slate may be ideal for your kitchen.
What is slate
Slate, like granite and soapstone, is a siliceous stone and is not affected by acids. It's nearly indestructible. You can put hot trays and pans directly on it without any problem. It's probably the strongest natural stone you can use as a countertop.
Because of its low absorption rate, slate never needs sealing and stains won't penetrate. It is heat resistant and won't react to household chemicals or cleaners.
Slate Countertops Pros and Cons
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Soapstone Counters . . . better than granite
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Cleaning slate countertops should only be done with specialized cleaners, not Windex or ammonia. The best performing product for slate cleaning is MB Stone Care MB-5 Marble, Granite and More Spray Cleaner. You'll find MB-5 as part of a stone care kit at installation from professional granite install companies.
In fact, MB-5 is the only cleaner our company ever uses on natural stone and granite counters.
How To Clean Slate Countertops
countertop surface is not suitable for most counter applications.
A slate countertop cannot be polished to a shine because it's too soft.
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