Slate Countertops (granite, floors, tile, grout)

[Glacierx]

We are looking at upgrading our countertops, and through looking online came across slate as an option. Pros and Cons of Slate Countertops | CounterTop Guides

This had never occurred to us before, but it seems like a better way to go than granite because you don't have to seal regularly. We like a rustic sort of look. The downsides I see are that there will have to be seams since slate is only so big.

Thoughts on slate?

[T. Damon]

Why would you not have to seal slate countertops? It is porous and we certainly have to seal our slate floors regularity.

Other than that I would find it rough, too variegated (at least some types), grout joints and prone to chipping.

[davebarnes]

Look at soapstone as an alternative to slate.

Ask Kathy. Aragon what she thinks

[chet everett]

Slate is not typically a wise choice for kitchen counters. It spalls / cleaves into rather dramatically unlevel fragments. When it does there will be shards / sharp edged fragments. Not good. Slate Tile Care, Maintenance and Sealing

Who the heck says granite needs to be constantly re-sealed?

If you like the low-sheen look get honed or flamed / leather finished granite.

Slate scratches easily and unlike soapstone (which is also very soft / susceptible to marks from use) instead of being sand it smooth it chips out / fractures
Costs about 4x more than soapstone too...

[T. Damon]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Slate is not typically a wise choice for kitchen counters.

Who the heck says granite needs to be constantly re-sealed?

Lighter colors of granite need occasional sealing but black or near black is much denser and rarely does.

[silibran]

Slate and marble will stain. I wouldn't use either one for counters in kitchens.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Look at soapstone as an alternative to slate.

Ask Kathy. Aragon what she thinks

LOL thanks, Dave.

I LOVE OUR SOAPSTONE. It's glorious. I love the little imperfections it gets over time. It doesn't flake or splinter either (though it will softly sort of scratch or develop a patina over time). It needs no sealing. It is nearly as totally non porous as anything can be. It feels marvelous - smooth and velvety.

Ours only has one seam, situated behind the faucet of our farmhouse sink. You can't even see it.

You basically can't stain it. You can put piping hot pots and pans directly on it. You can even cut on it if you want the patina to develop faster, but you can also buff out any scratches easily with very fine sandpaper.

You can darken it by applying mineral oil or walnut paste to it every few months. This makes it a dark gray and any veins will show up more dramatically. But there's no need to put ANYTHING on it. The natural color is a nice mottled sort of gray, often with dark and light streaks and even streaks of green or a brownish color in it.

Here's ours without any oil on it. If we oil it, the green in it really pops: