With the shipping cost making the soapstone a little more expensive then we thought (due to the Charlotte store not having big stones), we are open to maybe getting a new countertop material.
I stumbled upon a post on Grassroots Modern about Tops Lab Plus from Trespa. Check out GM's kitchen - very similar to what we are going for with the black/white.
The Tops Lab Plus is primarily used in chemistry labs, just like soapstone was originally. It is a resin-based product that is manufactured, which makes it a lot greener then a stone that is mined and shipped from Brazil. Here is Trespa's blurb: "Trespa TopLabPLUS is a self-supporting flat panel with a patented cellulose fiber reinforced phenolic resin core. Its integrated, decorative surface based on pigmented, electron beam cured resins, is resistant to the most aggressive chemicals and easy to clean and maintain. TopLabPLUS can easily be cut or formed, allowing a whole new level of design freedom."
Does anyone have any feedback on this product or a similar one? (Richlite & Paperstone are both resin-based materials too.)
New Countertop Idea
1/19/09
Labels:
kitchen
I work in a chemistry lab and have always dreamed of having this material for my kitchen. I can't believe that it is actually commercially available! It's practically indestructible.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen this stuff and can't comment either way on that, but when you said you were thinking about soapstone, I began wondering if you hadn't thought about doing a concrete counter.
ReplyDeleteThere are some really neat applications you can do if you reinforce it enough. It colors very well, too.
In fact, I just saw a TOH ep with a really pretty counter done that way.
Just a thought.
M
I installed Richlite this past year (errrrr...had it installed). Love it. Bear in mind that like Soapstone, it's a living finish. Mine has been in for about 5 months and you can see the areas that get used the most. I'm sure if I get out the oil and scotch-brite pad, all traces would be removed but I'm kindof enjoying the patina.
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard quite a bit about the patina. for example, I hear that if you leave the dish soap on it it will leave a permanent ring. So it's strangely easy to mark up. I'd search around online a bit and see if you can dig up some similar comments. It may be that what I'm talking about doesn't pertain to this brand or specific mix.
ReplyDeleteI love my quartz counters, as they are indestructible, but the price for these counters are very attractive.
ReplyDeleteIf you're working with a good stone installer in Asheville, you shouldn't have to pay for shipping from a bigger stone supplier. My marble slab came from Atlanta (5 hours away - I selected it via emailed photos) to our local stone installer-of-choice and they didn't charge me for the shipping. If I didn't want the stone they would have kept it in their stone yard and sold it to someone else anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to checkout http://www.soapstones.com they might have what you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteI went down this road with a client a year ago. Top lab is hard, but scratches fairly easy, the salesperson did not recommend for residential.
ReplyDeleteThe other challenge is buying the stuff, it is supposed to be easy to work with, but I was going to have to buy a piece that was 60 inches by 12 feet long = really heavy. Shipping was out of sight too!!!
I would steer you to paperstone or richlite because they are easier to source. I ended up doing lightweight concrete for my clients, much easier and we got the right look!! But if you can afford soapstone that's OK too!!
SHIFTmodern.com
The Trespa is actually a lot harder than Richlite or Paperstone which are both considered low density phenolics. No worries about scratches or patina's at all. So far we really like it.
ReplyDelete