Reclaimed Slate Blackboard Countertops

We are remodeling our kitchen. When I say we, I really mean that my husband and I are doing it ourselves (with a little help from his father).  We don't really have any experience with this kind of thing, so of course we immediately complicated everything by deciding to use recycled, older materials.  We really like the solid stone look,  but we didn't even really have the funds for tile let alone granite. Plus, we wanted something that would fit the character of the 1940s house we are restoring a little better.  So, we purchased two slate blackboards which had been removed from a school near our home with the intention of cutting them down. The boards are 3/8ths inch Vermont black slate in pretty good condition. Here are some pictures to help you visualize what I am talking about:  HG Bathroom, Modern Kitchen, Eco-Home. 

Once we got the cabinets all set and secured, we measured out how big the counters would be (taking into account that our house is old and therefore not exactly square).  Then we cut out half inch ply-wood and quarter inch cement board to fit those measurements. We secured these two layers (ply-wood on bottom) to the cabinets with screws. 

Then we cut the slate to fit.  This is trickier than it sounds.  You need a wax pencil to mark the slate because you will need to cut it with either a wet saw (easier but you have to own/rent it) or with a special blade rated for slate on your circular saw and keep a hose trickling over the blade the whole time you cut. This second option is messy, tricky, and a two person job.  

Glue or mortar the slate to the other layers smooth side up.  Before you do this, decide how you are going to finish the edges.  If you want to put more slate or tile over the edges, fine.  But if you want a metal edging like we used you need to put in on when you do this step. 

Finish with mineral oil (you can buy it at most drug stores by the laxatives).   Rub the mineral oil in (really rub it in hard), let it set for a little while, and then rub off the excess.  Voila!

There is a surprising lack of information about all the nitty-gritty of actually making a counter top like this online.  We kind of made it up as we went. Although there is a pretty good e-how article to get you started. If you have any questions, please ask! Or share your own experiences.  


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Keywords:  old blackboards, slate chalkboards, reclaimed, salvaged, DIY counter tops, slate counter tops, re-purposing old slate