apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

You must be one of the people who doesn't get the willies from blackboards. I'm shivering just thinking about it.

If you have the old blackboards on hand, great idea for re-using instead of dumpster-ing them!

On the other hand, if you were going to buy blackboards, I think it would make more sense to build the countertops out of something else and then use blackboard paint to provide the surface.

Ah... what a great use for all those blackboards going to waste with the proliferation of white wipe boards!!

I heard that tons of schools, universities were taking them out and no one had any idea what to do with them.

Nix the blackboard paint idea... i think that would make a lousy counter top. I don't think she wants to draw on them... she wants to repurpose some nice affordable slate.

You are right clickchick. I do want to repurpose them. I have read a few articles about people using them as countertops but none of the articles talked about the install. The only thing that was discussed was green building.

These people used it as their counter in the kitchen.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2004/1024/living.html

Here is someone who used it for their fireplace.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2004/0523/cover_capitolarch.html

-Monica

I am in the midst of installing some old blackboards as countertops right now. Should be done in a few days and I will try to post some photos here. So far I've learned a few things: You need to build up the counter to be as thick as a countertop by using a combo of MDF, concrete board and slate, all sandwiched together with flex mastic to make a 1.25 - 1.5 inch thick countertop. You'll also need a good diamond circular saw blade and some other stuff. Cutting the sink opening is by far the hardest part. For the front edge I am planning on cutting 1.25 inch wide strips of the slate and attaching them with marine grade adhesive.

I got my hands on some old slate blackboards and am going to repurpose them as countertops. Schneider, you are the first person (I've seen) offering a solution for the counter substrate. I would be interested in progress photos (especially how constructed your countertop framing and substrate) if you have any.

An alternative to cutting the slate yourself, if you don't have the space or the tools, would be to transport it to a stone company in your area and pay them to cut it to your specifications. They will probably charge by the linear foot.
Also, while you're at the stone company try to talk to someone who builds the countertops to give you some pointers on how to finish the top. Slate is usually ground to a matte finish with only mineral oil used to seal it, if you feel the need. But, you may need to buff it with a fine sanding attachment for your drill.

Also, if you don't want to cut out a hole for the sink you could use an apron front sink available anywhere that sells plumbing supplies, like this one:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100033968&N=10000003 90401

The tile-in version sits on the countertop substrate, so you could just butt the slate up to the side of the sink with a silicone caulk joint like you would tile. This is what I plan on doing with mine.